TOP Charolais offered at Crozier Charolais' sixth annual Morgiana House bull sale were chased to $4750, while stud companion PJ Cattle Co's Angus sold to $3250.
Morgiana House sold seven of the 11 bulls offered to average $3071, while PJ Cattle Co sold five of the 10 bulls av $2900.
A market forecast of improved prices may have helped clients' confidence, according to Crozier Charolais stud principal Allan Crozier.
"People held off last year but the weaner sale was better than expected so clients were more cashed up," he said.
Landmark stud stock manager Andrew Sloan said clients topping the January weaner sales may have been aware of positive publicity that showed potential weight gains.
"There were clients who still had their old bulls from the first sale Allan ever had (six years ago) and were back here to buy bulls, which showed longevity but also improved the sale," Mr Sloane said.
Return buyer of three years Garry Hearn, Cavendish, purchased the top-priced bull at the sale – a Pinay son and full embryo transfer brother to lot one, with the second-highest price paid on the day of $3250 by Garry O'Donnell, Grassmere.
Mr Hearn puts Morgiana House bulls over his F1 herd to sell at 10 months-old averaging 460 kilograms.
"The cattle market lull may have shown today but the presentation of the bulls here was excellent," Mr Hearn said.
- Full story in the Stock & Land February 20 edition