THE Malton Shorthorn principal Peter Falls, Malton Shorthorns, Finley, NSW, said he was pleased with last month's solid bull sale.
The top-price of $12,000 was paid by Seymour Park's Julie Usher and Noel Baulch, Heywood, for lot 1 Malton Jaguar, a polled Shorthorn bull, 2013-drop, by sire Sprys All Gold D052 and out of Trudy Chantal.
"They are return buyers and they have topped the Casterton calf sales regularly with their weaners," Mr Falls said.
Among the return buyers were Gelantipy's Julie Rogers and family, who paid last year's top price of $10,500 for a Malton Shorthorn bull.
They join the Shorthorn bull to Hereford cows to produce strawberry roan calves.
This year the Rogers family bought two polled bulls: lot 2 Malton Johnstone 1919 and lot 5 Malton Jamison, for $6000 and $5000 respectively.
Both bulls were sired by Sprys All Gold D052.
Ensay's Evan and Dot Newcomen also bought a two year-old polled Shorthorn bull, paying $6000 for lot 6 Malton Jefferson 1828, by Sprys All Gold D052 and out of Malton Violet.
"We've been selling Shorthorn bulls at Ensay for 12 years," Mr Falls said.
"We find the auction system enables competitive selling and everyone gets the same selection to choose from.
"We specialise in breeding white Shorthorn bulls that provide extra milk in their female progeny as a bonus.
"The Shorthorn is an ideal cross for Herefords and the white Shorthorn is the only cross you'll get roan calves with."
