A feature yearling bull in Ian and Shelley Durkin's 26th annual Mountain Valley Bull Sale at Coolatai last weekend was snapped up for the top price of $18,000.
Mountain Valley Pioneer P318 was the upcoming Poll Hereford sire that sparked interest from the crowd, including successful purchasers Deloraine Rural, Morven.
Sired by Injemira Anzac H006 and from Mountain Valley Victoria F17, the 16-month-old weighed 712 kilograms with an eye muscle area (EMA) of 105 squared centimetres, rump and rib fats of 10 millimeters and 6mm, a scrotal circumference of 38cm and an intramuscular fat (IMF) measurement of 5.3 per cent.
In the breakdown the Durkins sold 35 out of 37 Poll Hereford bulls to clear 95pc, top at $18,000 and average $5457, while their second offering of Angus bulls cleared 78pc with 28 sold of 36 offered to top at $9000, twice, and average $5142.
Describing the season up in their area as horrendous, Mr Durkin said they were happy to clear that many bulls in a year like this. "We offered virtually double the amount of Angus bulls (compared to last year), and sold more than last year," he said.
"Bulls went as far south as Tasmania and Victoria right up to Longreach and Birdsville in Queensland."
Poll Hereford bull Mountain Valley Spark N071 was the $10,000 second top-priced bull that sold to Gary Anthony, Meeniyan, Vic.
Topping the Angus bull draft was 23-month-old Mountain Valley Gabba N269, a son of Peakes Gabba K556 from Cascade Tentura H50 that was purchased by Moss Rose, Bundarra.
He weighed 922kg and recorded measurements of 127 sq cm, 13mm and 8mm in the rump and rib fats and an IMF of 6.3pc.
Anne and Fred Starr, Guyra, secured the other $9000 equal top-priced Angus bull Mountain Valley Gabba N233, a son of Peakes Gabba K556 from Cascade Abigail H25. The 24-month-old weighed 932kg with an EMA of 125 sq cm, rump and rib fats of 19mm and 10mm and an IMF of 6.8pc.
Selling agents were C.L. Squires and Co, Inverell, and Landmark, with Paul Dooley, Tamworth, as the auctioneer.
