Dulverton Angus popped the champagne on Wednesday at the stud's last on-property bull sale with a total clearance of 63 bulls to a top of $50,000.
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After 42 years of breeding Angus bulls, stud principals Greg and Sally Chappel, Glen Innes, will now conduct their future bull sales on an online selling platform only.
The stud's sale averaged $17,666 for a full clearance across the sale from 63 bulls offered, which was down on last year's $20,270 average and record on-property $55,000 top.
More than 75 bidders were in attendance at the Shannon Vale on-property sale in the states Northern Tablelands.
The bidding took off from the start, with auctioneer Shad Bailey's arms moving in all directions across the sale pen within the first two bulls being offered.
John Sylvester, Five Star Angus, at Wombramurra, Nundle, purchased the first bull, which would go on to be the second highest priced at $44,000.
Dulverton Smart Missile S082 had IGS figures of -6.3 gestation length and a marbling figure +10 and a 45 centimeter scrotal circumference.
The sale topper at $55,000 then followed on going to Knowla Livestock, Moppy via Gloucester, and Meat and Livestock Australia's managing director, Jason Strong.
This was for Dulverton Smart Missile S068, described by the Lauries as having "balanced data and saleyard traits ".
"He had a beautiful skin, temperament and the basic structure was excellent," said Ted Laurie, of Knowla.
" He will be used within our AI program as a back up over the next couple of weeks ".
Mid way throughout the sale the Chappel family offered a pregnancy-tested-in calf Angus heifer with the full proceedings of the purchase being donated to the Angus Youth Australia Foundation.
The donation will go towards re-establishing an overseas scholarship to the United States.
The PTIC heifer Dulverton Dell S135 sold for $16,000 to Knowla Livestock and Mr Strong.
Volume buyer James Speed, Springsure, Qld, who purchased 10 bulls to a top of $28,000 and average of $16,800.
The repeat buyer runs a herd of 12,000 Angus cattle and was targeting "low birthweight genetic bulls" from Dulverton's offering.
Walmayne Pty Ltd, Kingsthorpe, Qld, purchased eight bulls to a top of $19,000 and a $13,000 average.
Juandah Beef, Guluguba, Qld, purchased four bulls to a top of $16,000 and a $12,250 average.
It may have been the stud's last on-property bull sale with a champagne bottle being popped at the conclusion, but stud principal Sally Chappell insisted it will be "business as usual" for the Shannon Vale Angus operation.
"We will be having the sale online only with a slightly reduced offering of around the 60 head mark," she said.
"We still have plenty of years left in us yet, however, we are just looking to reduce the onerous (effort) and stress it takes to run an on-property sale as we are not getting any younger.
"By selling the bulls earlier in the year before winter it allows us to free up our time a bit and not have to feed them leading into the sale.
"It's great to have our return buyers support us year in and year out and we look forward to continuing to provide quality bulls to the market."
The sale was handled by Colin Say and Co, Glen Innes, with Shad Bailey the auctioneer.
