THE combination of more Angus bulls on offer and fewer cows in the system as a result of last year's long dry spring was set to test all studs selling through South Australia Angus Week this year.
Coolana principals, Mark and Anna Gubbins penned 60 paddock reared and well-presented Angus bulls for buyer competition at The Basin sale complex at Willalooka, attracting a good crowd of familiar faces, including 35 registered bidders.
Under the rapid fire auctioneering of Spence Dix & Co's Jono Spence, they achieved a total clearance with the 60 bulls selling to $7000, which was paid four times; and averaged $4667.
Coolana may not have set headlines for Angus Week with the sale top, but to have a total clearance, as well as a $997 increase in sale average was an exceptionally good achievement in the current climate.
The dominant buying strength in the sale came from Legh Winser, Benara Pastoral, Mount Gambier, SA, buying through his Ray White Keatley agent Scott Creek. He purchased 20 bulls, paying to the sale's equal top price and considering the quality, at the very good value average of $4850. Benara's top purchase was paid mid catalogue for Coolana Equator F10-J779, by Cluden Newry Equator F10, with outstanding and balanced Breedplan figures to back up his phenotype quality.
Legh has purchased at Coolana previously and said he was back because of the quality of the producer's calves, plus the paddock upbringing of the bulls and Coolana's exceptional client service.
"We have recently purchased 700 heifers, so these bulls were selected to go over them, based on Mark Gubbins' advice and guidance. These will be run at our new property at Lake Wallace, near Edenhope," Leigh said.
Benara produces weaner cattle and other than a shorter-term need to build up their female numbers, the operation sells through live markets, on-hooks, or to feedlots, depending on which option gives the best sale outlook at the time.
The Tintinara office of sale agents Spence Dix & Co also provided strong volume buying support, purchasing eight bulls at a $4250 average.
Legendary cattle identity Malcolm Macdonald was in attendance with two of his daughters, Debbie and Helen, and consultant Dick Whale.
Debbie purchased six bulls for Moonee Hills, Meningie, paying to the sale's equal top of $7000 and averaging $5000.
Coolana Fireball J021, by Dunoon Fireball F186 was her top-priced purchase; being a bigger framed and well-balanced bull with good figures across the board, highlighted with a breeding value of +7.5 for EMA combined with a positive IMF percentage.
Debbie is selecting Angus bulls for performance and marketing advantages and Black Simmentals for extra muscling to go over her 470 Angus, Shorthorn and Santa Gertrudis composite females. Her sister Helen purchased just one bull for her 80 cow Lochaber based herd, paying $6500, while their consultant Dick Whale also purchased one account Wertalloona for $3000.