Hazeldean Angus tops $37,000 and averages $17,055 at northern sale

The final tally, including a top price of $37,000 and a sale gross of $2,746,000, completely smashed last year's then-record outcome, when a top price of $17,000 and an average of $9103 was achieved, plus a gross of $1,320,000.

This was achieved with 40 more bulls on offer than last year, in an electrifying atmosphere where bids were being taken almost before the auctioneer finished introducing the next lot in the ring.

It was a rare bull that didn't start with $10,000 offers from the commercial clients packing the stands, with a little over 100 bid cards issued for the sale at the Mundibulanga selling complex.

"We have to thank our stoic stayers, who continue to support us despite paying double what they did last year," Mr Bradley said. "I think the big market and the drought breaking in some areas had a lot to do with the result, and Angus are in high demand for their role in helping growers hit that premium market."

TopX Taroom's Jay Pearce, representing Cameron and Sarah Webster of Somerset, Wandoan, fought off determined bidders to secure Hazeldean Q811 (AI) for the top price of $37,000.

The Webster's only purchase of the sale, he scored in the top 5 per cent in the Angus Australia rankings for most of the calving ease indicators and rib and rump measurements.

The 944kg bull had P8 and rib fat measurements of 12 and 10mm respectively, an eye muscle area of 135 square centimetres, semen motility of 80pc, and a scrotal circumference of 39.5cm.

He was the first calf of a stud heifer, Hazeldean N489, and was sired by Karoo Knockout NENK176, who Mr Bradley said had bred some very good bulls for them.

Augathella's Adrian and Megan Forrest, Bellona, set the benchmark early in the sale, outlaying $30,000 for Hazeldean Q976, described as a bullock breeder's type of bull.

He was used in the stud in 2020 and had P8 and rib fat measurements of 13 and 11mm, plus an EMA of 134sq cm, plus intra-muscular fat of 7.2pc, semen motility of 85pc, and a scrotal circumference of 41cm.

The sire was the Forrest's only purchase at the sale.

Nine of the bulls were bought by CT and JL Poole of Prairie, averaging $16,000 for the lots they successfully bidded on in the latter half of the catalogue.

Mitchell's Kilmorey Cattle Co finished the sale with eight bulls for an average of $15,750.

Kotupuna Grazing, based at Ebor in the NSW Northern Tablelands, was also active, selecting eight bulls for an average of $19,500.

Buying six bulls each were Lunar Pastoral Co, Weeallah, St George, outlaying an average $16,000; Institutional Investments, Roma Downs, Roma ($20,000 average); and Body and Co, Tarrawonga, Wallumbilla ($19,333).

Nine lots were purchased via AuctionsPlus, going to buyers in the NSW Hunter Valley, Roma, Mitchell, Millmerran, Mungallala, and Charleville.

The crowd was reassured that the supply of quality bulls would continue into the future when Ms Litchfield announced that they had bought nearly 600 Burenda Angus stud females, which were now at home at Cooma, NSW, and beginning to calve.

"We are committed to servicing the Queensland industry in the years to come," she said.

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