A whirlwind lead up to the 10th annual Coffin Creek Angus Bull Sale culminated in a record-breaking event for the White family who re-wrote two stud on-property records today at Mudgee.
From uncertainties about whether the sale would be able to be held, to Harry White and his wife Bobbie welcoming a new baby at 3am this morning and Nigel White unfortunately suffering a stroke a week before the sale, the Coffin Creek team was so thankful for the support and incredible result.
Overall it was a 100 per cent clearance of 48 bulls with a new stud record average of $17,292 achieved, surpassing the previous record of $11,811 across 37 bulls set in 2020.
The highlights did not stop there with a new stud record top price of $30,000 also etched in the history books, up $6000 from the previous record set at last year's sale.
Loyal repeat clients of many years were in attendance and active throughout the draft, but they met competition from new buyers, including a number from Queensland and northern NSW.
It was a new purchaser from Queensland operating through AuctionsPlus that could not go past the $30,000 sale-topper, Coffin Creek Klooney R3, that was brought to the front of the sale.
Callistemon Cattle Company at Springsure were the lucky buyers of the stand-out bull sired by Millah Murrah Klooney K42 and out of Millah Murrah Brenda L102 that goes back to Ascot Hallmark H147.
Tipping the scales at 695 kilograms at 17 months of age, he measured 42 centimetres in the scrotal circumference and was described as suitable for heifers with a calving ease estimated breeding value (EBV) of +9.2 that sat him in the top five per cent of the breed.
Callistemon Cattle Co also paid $20,000 for Coffin Creek R102, a 660kg son of Millah Murrah Nugget N266 presenting with seven traits in the top 10pc of the breed including top 1pc for claw set.
The second top-priced bull was Coffin Creek R67 purchased for $26,000 by long-term local clients Tom and Susan Combes of Lue Station, Lue near Mudgee.
Sired by Millah Murrah Nugget N266, the 16-month-old bull weighing 725kg was part of a draft of four bulls the Combes' selected for their 700 head self-replacing Angus operation.
"We have been here every year, we are on pure Coffin Creek blood and we know the cattle and they do so well for us," Mr Combes said.
"All the bulls we bought were by Nugget - I wanted to get Nugget sons, and I wanted these bulls so had to knew I would have to pay for them.
"We look for a balanced type, moderate birthweight with good calving ease, nice 400-day growth weights and they all fit this. They were quiet, well-muscled and well put together bulls."
The Combes' top purchase had the second highest intramuscular fat (IMF) of the draft at 7.4pc and had nine traits in the top 10pc of the breed.
Also running 1500 fine wool Merino ewes in their rough country, the Combes' paid an average of $20,5000 across their four selections.
Twelve Millah Murrah Nugget N266 sons sold to a $18,000 average, six Baldridge Command C036 sons averaged $19,333 and 10 Millah Murrah Milestone M308 sons averaged $15,400.
Fourteen bulls sold over $20,000, and 20 bulls sold to online buyers through AuctionsPlus.
In closing the sale, Jack White said it was an "incredible result" and they "couldn't be happier".
"The greatest complement is the number of familiar faces that keep coming back to see the bulls, as well as the new faces that have shown interest in our program," he said.
Mr White said they are thankful for the support and. that they were able to host the sale, believing it was essential to allow prospective buyers the opportunity to view the bulls before purchase.
"We are proud of the bulls, and put a lot into the genetics and getting it right. We believe we have a good blend of genetic expression and they are presenting in good working order," he said.
Bill Lawson of selling agents McDonald Lawson Pty Ltd, Mudgee said the offering was a beautiful lot of bulls with magnificent temperaments and the presentation by the White family was next to none.
"It was an outstanding offering, a testament to both Harry and Jack with increased the numbers by 10 this year," Mr Lawson said.
"There was local support and it was tremendous to see a number of bulls go further afield with around eight bulls selling into Queensland."
The sale was conducted by McDonald Lawson Pty Ltd, Mudgee with guest auctioneer Paul Dooley, Tamworth taking the bids.
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