The consistency of the Composite and Red Angus bulls at the Hicks family autumn sale held at “Annandayle South”, Holbrook on Wednesday attracted a large number of new and return buyers.
There was a complete clearance of the 53 bulls offered which sold to top $16,500 with a $5387 sale average.
Peter Saglietti, Ponkeen Red Angus, Tarcombe, Victoria, has been returning to Hicks Beef for over 10 years and this year secured a Red Angus bull, Hicks Henry Packer M55 at the top price $16,500 to add to his sires.
Mr Saglietti said he selected the bull for his length, thickness and growth rate, and was a smooth and soft bull, complementing his Red Angus EBVs birth-weight 2.5 and 400-day weight 58.
“He is stud sire potential and would like to use him across our foundation Red Angus herd,” he said.
“He will be a great addition and continue to lift production by breeding good females.
“He just had all round quality, his breed values were excellent and we have had good success with Hicks Beef genetics in the past.”
The second top price bull was matched on two occasions with two Black Composite of $8500, ABC M1205 and ABC M1151 which was purchased by return buyer Garrison Cattle Feeders, Swan Hill, Vic.
Garrison Cattle Feeders pulled together a good line of bulls buying 12 bulls in total top $8500 and to average $5834.
Matt Kerin, “Neverwood Park”, Yeoval, secured for themselves a draft of six bulls top $6000 to an average $5000.
“We haven’t brought bulls for a few years and retuned back to Hicks for the Hybrid Vigour and genetic selection,” Mr Kerin said.
“I was getting light on bulls and needed to get my numbers back up to continue with my composite breeding plan”.
Also contributing, Howard Smith of S.A. and B.A. Smith Land and Cattle Company, Mt Panorama Station, Rollestone, Queensland, purchased six bulls, top $5000 for a $3834 average, continuing a long term relationship with Hicks Beef.
“We have been returning to Hicks Beef for a number of years and their progeny have performed in our cattle operation very well,” Mr Smith said.
“We join our Brahman females for their hybrid performance.”
“We sell our steers and heifers to Grassfed JapOx specifications and feeder cattle.”
Co-principal Tom Hicks was extremely with the sales results.
“We increased our numbers from last years Autumn sale and to still get a complete clearance is always the main aim of the game,” he said.
The sale was contducted by Elders Holbrook with auctioneer Joe Wilks taking bids which was interfaced with AuctionPlus.