Stud and commercial breeders from four states ensured Mandayen stud's annual Limousin and Angus bull sale was a strong success at their Eight Mile Sale Complex near Keith.
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Stud principals Damian and Mandy Gommers and their family posted similar averages for both breeds with 79 of 84 Angus averaging an outstanding $12,240 and all 26 Limousins averaging $12,769.
The stud sold one more Angus bull than 2023 and the average was one of the best for SA Angus Week but following the same trend as other bull sales this season it was back nearly $1500.
The Limousin average was back by even less.
For the second time in three years the sale topper was a son of highly popular AI sire Millah Murrah Paratrooper P15.
This year it came well into the sale with lot 81, Mandayen Paratrooper T428 catching the eye of respected weaner sellers WV James & Son, Cooranga, Woolumbool.
The August 2022 drop Angus had good weight for age tipping the scales at 744 kilograms with a scrotal circumference measuring 40cm.
Paratrooper T428 was easy doing with good growth figures as well as an IMF figure of +4.0 and rib fat figure of +1.4. Both of these numbers were in the top 14pc and 19pc of the breed.
"We were looking for bull suitable to AI heifers," Wendy James-Ross said.
It was one of Cooranga's three buys with their agent Elders Lucindale branch manager Ronnie Dix doing the bidding.
They were also the underbidder on lot 57, Mandayen Mainland T232, which eventually sold for $28,000 to Steve and Leanne Collins, Brooksby Angus stud, Bundarra, NSW, through Ray White Dorrigo NSW director Tim Bayliss.
The July 2022 drop was among the first draft of Landfall Mainland Q494 sons to be offered by the stud.
The Gommers family bought Mainland for $38,000 in 2021 in Tas in partnership with Mandayen, Bull Oak Well and Weeran studs.
"Structurally he is very good bull with good shape. In our country we like our Angus to look like Angus not Wagyus," Mr Bayliss said.
Lot 1, Mandayen Xtra Loyal T16 got the sale off to a strong start selling for $24,000 to Brett Turner, New Day Limousin stud, Crookwell, NSW.
The 836kg homozygous polled, black bull was very docile and had impressive numbers including high 200 and 400 day growth at +25 and +44, as well as carcase figures
"He has got more than enough muscle and power with very good feet and legs but also enough softness," he said.
"He will not just breed good bulls but also some good females."
Mr Turner said he had bought many Mandayen Limousin females over the years which had taken his herd forward and came back every couple of years to select a new sire.
"He (Damian) is a cattleman not a cattle feeder and breeds functional, fertile cattle," he said.
Long time supporters Tammit Station via Euston bought in the top end securing three bulls including lot 6, Mandayen Drover T3 for $22,000- the second highest Limousin price.
Three South East commercial buyers snapped up more than half of the Angus offering.
Swiss Australian Farm Holdings secured 23 bulls for their South East properties paying to $17,000 and averaging $10,652 for their tally.
Amherst Livestock, Willalooka, bought 11 bulls throughout the catalogue for a $11,456 average, including the final lot of the sale.
McCarthy Livestock, Lucindale, took home nine bulls for a $12,444 average, paying to $16,000.
Another top end buyer, Rockallen Pastoral, Willalooka, secured four Limousins to $18,000 high and $14,500 average as well as four Angus to $17,000 for a $12,500 average.
Mandayen stud manager Henri Deans was a guest vendor with four of the Angus to sell from his She-Oak Rise Angus. They averaged an impressive $12,000.
Mr Gommers noted it was one of their best offerings of Limousin bulls they had presented.
He was also pleased with the continued growth of their Angus herd which was established 14 years ago and said it was fantastic to have repeat support from "highly respected cattlemen in the SE and western Vic".
"Our aim with the Angus is to breed good structured cattle with depth of body and softness and plenty of muscle," he said.
" In the next year or two we will have a bit more (emphasis) on the data while trying to keep phenotype."
Spence Dix & Co and Elders were joint selling agents with Jonathan Spence and Ross Milne the auctioneers.
