Barwidgee Angus bull to $6250 top

Twenty-two registered buyers helped move 35 of 51 bulls offered with majority of the stock going to Western District return clients.

Susan Russell and David Shaw of Dunneworthy, near Ararat, paid the sale's top price of $6250 for Lot 24, Barwidgee 13224.

The 18 month-old bull was by Tuwharetoa Regent D145 and out of nine year-old Barwidgee bred dam, and weighed 768kilograms.

His estimated breeding values were +5.5 for birthweight, +108 for 600-day weight, +6.6 eye muscle area and +2.2 for intramuscular fat.

"He was selected for his softness, easy doing and pedigree," Ms Russell said.

"The Barwidgee bulls have performed well for us in the past with their good breeding consistency and I like that they are not over fed which means less breakdowns when you get them home."

The family purchased two bulls to av $5125 bound for the Dunneworthy property.

The second highest price of $6000 was paid by the Manifold family, of Boortkoi Pastoral Company, Mortlake, for lot three Barwidgee 13614.

It was one of two bulls purchased by the Manifolds to av $4750.

The 17 month-old was in the top five per cent of the breed for growth with EBVs +126 for 600-day growth and recorded a high Angus breed $Index of $123.

A M Dwyer Glenwood Pastoral Trust were volume buyers at the sale, purchasing four bulls to av $3500.

Barwidgee Angus principal Wendy Kelly said there was a good audience of repeat commercial clients at the sale that were focused on producing a productive cow herd.