Glen Innes Angus stud, Eaglehawk, sold its entire draft of bulls to a top of $20,000 at its annual sale last Thursday.
The demand was driven by determined volume buyers keen on outcross genetics, do-ability and good temperament.
The 78 bulls offered were sold to average $7557, prompting stud principal Ian Vivers to thank his patrons for an “awesome effort”.
Neil Harvey, “Korinia”, Liston, placed the top bid of $20,000 for the 882 kilogram rising two-year-old, Eaglehawk Double Vision M150, by Jindra Double Vision.
Mr Harvey made his choice based on docility and structure with good outcross genetics. “The bull ticked all the boxes,” he said.
This reflected Mr Vivers’ breeding philosophy, which he said was not all about numbers, and more about structure.
Herb Duddy, Sara Park Angus, Glen Innes, purchased the $17,000 second-top priced bull, Eaglehawk Double Vision M208, being keen on the bull’s outcross genetics and structural soundness.
John Curtin, Moredun Station, Glencoe, purchased seven bulls with consistent structure and outcross genetics.
His draft included a Jindra Double Vision son, for which he paid $16,000, and Eaglehawk Innovation M098, by MAR Innovation, for $14,500.
Harris Farms, Buffalo, Victoria, bought six bulls, paying to $11,000 for Eaglehawk Unanimous M097, with the top scrotal circumference for the sale at 44 centimeters. This bull will be used in the family’s stud.
“For us it’s about how new genetics are brought together,” said Shane Harris. “We look for bone – and meat on the bone, more than figures.
“We are paid for the carcase and we look for feedback from the abattoir. We’re happy with the way Eaglehawk sires have proven themselves as producing carcase with better yield.
“We love the Unanimous line for its consistency. You could say they are peas in a pod.”
The first Sandpoint Firestorm calves born in Australia piqued the interest of the Macansh family, Deepwater Station, who purchased a son for $9000.
Marango Pastoral, via Hernani, went home with six bulls. Property manager, Mick Kelsall, chose his bulls for their moderate maturity, good performance and market suitability.
He said the Unanimous bulls were an even type – “you couldn’t split them”.
He bought three sons of Vision Unanimous to a top of $10,000. These were part of a draft of six, also including a Mohnen South Dakota son, a Firestorm son, plus MAR Innovation son, for which he paid $13,000.
Gordon and Sally Wollen, “Buckandor”, Red Range, bought Eaglehawk Double Vision M249 for $15,500.
Clint Nugent, “Balaclava", Glen Innes, bought Eaglehawk Vance M321 for $14,500, and last year’s top bidder, Norm Turner, “Laureston”, Inverell, bought Eaglehawk Unanimous M082 for $13,500.
Repeat buyers, Rob and Donna Atkinson, Goomeri, Queensland, purchased five bulls to average $8700; their top being Eaglehawk South Dakota M228 for $13,000.
Their new bull will be used on Angus-Droughtmaster cows, and some of their Eaglehawk-sired calves had also won last year’s 100-day feedlot trial at Royal Queensland Show.
Volume buyers, Gary and Judy Waldon,“Ohio”, Tomalla via Scone, bought nine bulls through Landmark, paying to $5000.
The sale was conducted by CL Squires, Inverell, with Robbie Bloch taking the bids.