THE complete dispersal of Welcome Swallow Angus PTIC female herd last week sold to $15,500 at the Martin family's Illalangi property, near Benalla.
More than 200 people, including 90 registered buyers, filled the buying gallery of the stud's first of several dispersal sales following the surprise sale of Suzy and Jim Martin's property, Illalangi, last month.
A total of 243 of 257 joined Angus cows and heifers sold average $2452 a head.
Heated interest for TC Aberdeen 759's daughter Welcome Swallow Aberdeen Jilt F296, who was joined to KC HAAS GPS, reaped the sale's highest price paid by Bannaby Angus stud, Taralga, NSW.
The rising five year-old cow was a Mohnen Jilt 910 daughter and recorded estimated breeding values of +2.3 for birthweight, +39 for 200-day weight, +72 for 400-day weight, +91 for 600-day weight, +7.8 eye muscle area and +0.4 for intramuscular fat.
Her full flush sister, Welcome Swallow Aberdeen Jilt F277, sold two lots earlier and also caused a stir. F277 boasted the same attractive linage and was knocked down to Anvil Angus, Acheron for $8000.
While he was the underbidder on the top priced female, Anvil Angus principal Stephen Handbury did secure 16 females in total for an av $3547, including the second highest priced lot 81, for $10,000.
Daughter of Bando 9074 and joined to Welcome Swallow Texas H429, the eight year eight-year old recorded EBVs of +7.3 BW, +58 for 200-day weight, +106 for 400-day weight, +143 for 600-day weight, +0.4 EMA and +1.6 IMF.
"We want to be able to offer people in the area the opportunity to continue to buy Welcome Swallow genetics," Mr Handbury said. He was targeting Jilt family linage and females joined to KC HAAS GPS.
Another major buyer at the sale was Spring Hill Angus, Woodlands, NSW who purchased 22 females to $6000, av $2705.
Following the sale, which was dominated by Victorian, NSW and South Australian studs, Mrs Martin said it was fulfilling to have industry recognition for their 21 years of breeding. The 17 females offered who were joined to legendary sire Ardrossan Equator A241 sold to $8000, and av $3530 per head.
Another sought-after joining were the females estimated PTIC to game-changing sire KC HAAS GPS - with lots peaking at the sale's top price and av $2870/hd.
Females joined to high performance sire Carabar Docklands D62 sold to $5500, av $1920
From the stud's inception in 1994, artificial insemination and embryo transfers have been used extensively.
There were 559 embryo and semen packages offered and 419 sold to $490, paid for Sydgen Black Pearl cross Welcome Swallow Bando 9074 by an
AuctionsPlus client, and av $50/lot.
A further 11 recipient donors were offered and sold to $2500, av $2000.
Opening the sale, Mr Martin said the female dispersal marked the end of an era for the family and thanked their loyal clients and manager Brett Walker for support and contribution.
