FOR the second year running, the top bull sold for $16,000 at the annual Newcomen Herefords bull sale, held last Wednesday at Ensay.
Keen interest in a withdrawn bull saw almost all the horned and polled Herefords sold that were put up by Barry and Topsy Newcomen at their 12th on-property sale.
Some 50 bulls were sold at the annual auction, to a top of $16,000, an average of $5020, with two passed in and sold after the sale.
Karen Edwards, Woodside, bought the top-priced bull, lot 5 Newcomen Josh, paying $16,000 for the 936 kilogram beast.
Sired by Mawarra Virginian, Josh was a on two-year-old and his Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) reflected top five per cent for 600-day growth, scrotal measurement 52, frame score 7.5 and pigmentation 100/100.
Ms Edwards was represented by her partner and daughter, Rob and Simone Belcher.
It was the 11th Newcomen bull sale the partnership has bought from.
"We've been buying here for 11 years," Mr Belcher said. "We like Barry's breeding value numbers and the colour of his bulls."
The partnership sells weaner calves, from 400 Hereford and Angus cows -- joining Newcomen bulls to the Hereford cows and Banquet bulls to the Angus cows.
Mr Belcher was the under-bidder at last year's Newcomen bull sale for the top-priced bull and was pleased to be in front this year.
He still walked away with a 16-month-old bull last year, "with the same genetics as the top-priced bull," he said.
"This one -- 2015 -- brings different genetics into the herd."
Evan and Dot Newcomen bought the second-top-priced bull, paying $13,000 for lot 3, Newcomen Jezabel, 915kg.
Evan Newcomen also said the bull - sired by Mawarra Virginian - brought different genetics into his herd; scrotal was 44, frame 7, pigmentation 100/100.
They bought a second bull, lot 56 Newcomen Jester, paying $3500; he was sired by an AI bull, Kaludah Redgum.
"We'll join him to heifers," Evan Newcomen said.
There were a number of bulls that went for prices ranging from $9000 to $7500.
Maree Paton bought two bulls, lot 6 Newcomen Jogtrot for $9000 and lot 12 Newcomen Just Right for $7500. Both bulls were sired by Mawarra Virginian.
McGauran Pastoral, a repeat and volume buyer, paid $6500 twice for bulls, lot 27 Newcomen Jezabeel (out of Ardno Czech) and 36 Newcomen Jetski (sire Days Wizard).
The operation also paid $5500 for lot 38 Newcomen Jacarta, out of Mawarra Whistler.
But the interest in lot 1, Newcomen Jamar, a 984kg two-year-old, saw a number of potential buyers ask for the bull -- withdrawn earlier in the day because of a sore leg -- to be put up for bids.
The cracking pace for bids reflected the rest of the sale and saw Ensay's Craig and Jane Lloyd and Ken and Kym Skews partnership successful on $8500.
Jamar, like many of the highly sought Newcomen bulls, is in the top 5pc of breed for 600 day weight, with scrotal 43, frame 8 and pigmentation 100/100.
Out of Bowmont Stormboy, Jamar reflects his sire. He was the last bull sold on the day.
There were return and volume buyers among the successful bidders and vendor, Barry Newcomen, reflected on the dispersal of Hereford studs through the year that has created an increased demand for his bulls.
"We're also getting better at producing good bulls, at least other people think so, and I think that was reflected in today's demand," Mr Newcomen said.
He also reflected on the successful recent Mountain Calf Sales which saw Newcomen cattle top the market; and a subsequent sale of cows which attracted a premium price (see video).
Among the successful local buyers were the principals of Bindi Station, who bought four bulls.
Of the volume buyers, Timberland Pastoral bought three bulls, to a top of $6000 for lot 9 Junee; sire was Newcomen Dodoma.
Vince and Diane Pendergast, Benambra, paid $7500 for lot 40 Newcomen Justice; sire Days Wizard.
