STRONG demand from across the state and beyond helped guide Guyra stud, Bald Blair Angus, to one of its best sales yet.
Icey, wet conditions did not deter 93 registered bidders from attending the on-property sale, while many more followed along online via AuctionsPlus.
All 103 rising-two-year-old bulls offered at Tuesday's sale were snapped up at an average of $13,835.
A total of 15 bulls sold for $20,000 or more, while Bald Blair Quin Q216, 24 months, topped the sale at $32,000.
By Rennylea L519 and out of Bald Blair L222, Q216 on paper showed big potential for his carcase traits.
He was in the top five per cent for the breed for 600-day weight, top 10pc for carcase weight, rib fat and heavy grass index, and was purchased by Foster and Sons, Abington, Uralla.
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"I just thought he was magnificently put together, he was soft, moved well, had a great head and he ticked a lot of boxes," Foster and Sons' James Harris said.
"On the figures side of things, he fitted in very well for what we do because he has got a really good 600-day growth weight, which makes me hope his progeny will go like the clappers.
"He will be joined to some cows, we might keep a few bulls from him and we will keep a special eye out for his calves to see how they go."
Bald Blair Angus stud principal Sam White echoed Mr Harris' sentiments, saying the top seller was "a complete package".
"He was a very sound bull with great growth, carcase weight, intramuscular fat, feet and is very placid, which is very important," Mr White said.
"His bloodline of Rennylea L519 has been a really consistent breeding bull for us, he's bred for us for nearly four years and we will continue to use that bloodline because he is an exceptional animal.
"We've bred a number of his sons and that particular son was the stand out in this particular draft.
"There's still a number of L519 sons working in our herd and they will continue to produce progeny over the next few years."
Tuesday's sale was one to savour for Mr White, along with his wife Kirsty and sons Abbott and Arthur, as it grossed more than $1.4 million.
This year's average was up on the $8905 achieved last year for 63 bulls when they topped at $24,000.
Helping spur on the good results were bulk buyers such as Pownall Grazing Pty Ltd, Monto, Queensland, who took 10 bulls to average $17,200; the Murray family, Roma, Qld, which purchased six bulls at an average of $12,333 via AuctionsPlus, and Brundah Pastoral Company, Oaklands, Hillgrove, who took eight bulls to average $12,000.
Also taking home multiple bulls was Wirrimbi Pastoral Company, Hernani, with six to average $10,006, Fernside Pastoral Company, Rylestone, six bulls at a $16,000 average, and Plumthorpe Pastoral, Barraba, who also took six to average $14,000.
"This is an extremely good result for Bald Blair," Mr White said.
"We've gone from 70 or 80 bulls to over 100, which is a big jump, but I think our clients got good value. I think it bodes well for the future.
"We'd just like to thank and acknowledge everyone for turning up and supporting us, weather-wise it might not have been our best day, but nevertheless the support was just fantastic."
The sale was conducted by Elders Guyra with Paul Dooley, Tamworth, as auctioneer.
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Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
