Hazeldean's Autumn bull sale proved the industry's restocking effort is not slowing down, with the stud selling all 92 bulls offered to an average of $11,510 and top of $25,000 on Thursday.
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The Cooma stud offered significantly more bulls than usual in the sale but this did not make the bids any less frenzied, with clients challenged to take home a sire for under $10,000.
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Hazeldean's Bea Bradley Litchfield said it was an exciting sale, particularly given the higher volume of bulls offered.
"We're selling close 600 bulls this year, more than normal because we did an ET program two years ago," Ms Bradley Litchfield said.
"It's been fortunately timed with a very good season and a lot of people are trying to rebuild herds.
"Many of our repeat and new clients are looking for really versatile animals that tick a lot of boxes and that they can use on both heifers and cows."
Hazeldean Magnum M586 was the most sought after sire of the day, his 13 sons in the sale averaging $14,714 and included the top priced bull, Hazeldean Q951, who was purchased for $25,000 by first-time Hazeldean clients, Charles and Concepta O'Brien, Crookwell.
Hazeldean Q951 stood out for his structure, growth, fertility and carcase data, with a scrotal size of +4.6, carcase weight of +81 and intramuscular fat of +3.
Mr O'Brien said he had come to Hazeldean for their good structure, having had some trouble with feet in his herd in the past.
"He's got good growth, low birth weight, I can use him on heifers, so he's multi-purpose and I think he can improve my herd," Mr O'Brien said of the top priced bull.
"We like that Hazeldean keep their bulls out in the paddock with the sheep, they're allowed to come along at their own pace."
The O'Brien's run a commercial operation and are breeding bulls for their own use.
Other top sales included Hazeldean Q1733, another Magnum son, who was purchased for $23,000 by Paul E Graham Trust, Bongongo, Adjungbilly.
The very next lot was the third-highest price of the sale, Hazeldean Q1740 by Hazeldean N816 selling for $21,000 to Kotupna Grazing, Ebor via AuctionsPlus.
Western Riverina clients were the volume buyers on the day with Hugh Andrew and Son P/L, Berrembed Station, Matong and TA Field Est P/L, Wyvern, Carrathool purchasing five bulls each.
The sale was conducted by Nutrien Cooma with Nutrien auctioneers Tim Woodham and Hamish McGeoch taking the bids.
- Full report in next week's edition of The Land.
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