A top price of $10,000 paid by repeat client Gordon Moon, Bairnsdale, Victoria, set the tone for the 43 Whiteface bulls offered for sale by Ross and Mandy Smith, Glenellerslie, Adelong, at their 26th annual sale.
Of the 43 rising two-year-old bulls on offer, 20 sold for a sale average of $4400.
Mr Moon had also purchased the top priced bull for $10,000 at the 2017 sale, and his latest purchase, a son of Warwick Court Electrical and out of a daughter of Bingleberry Trailblazer, was selected for his length of body, and great hindquarter.
His December 2018 Hereford Group Breedplan figures of +19 for milk, +66 for 400 day growth with EMA of +6.1 complimented his conformation.
Second top price at $7500 was paid by Tummel Herefords, Lachaber, Walcha, also for a son of Warwick Court Electric with figures of +19 for milk, +64 for 400 day growth and EMA of +6.4.
Other strong sales included $6500 paid by long term clients Ross and Marion Trethowan, Lindawarra, Cookardinia, who had bought bulls since 2006. Their three purchases averaged $4500. Rosebank Pastoral Co, Nangeela, Vic, purchased two new sires at a $4500 average and return client Tim Woodgate, Buchan, Vic, also secured two new sires for a $4500 average.
Stud co-principal Ross Smith expressed delight at the response from buyers in a tough season.
The Helmsman auction was conducted by Elders Tumut and GTSM with Lincoln McKinlay from GTSM taking bidders through the system on the day.