Ennerdale enjoys big lift in sale average

Ennerdale sold 19 of the 31 bulls offered, aged 16-23 months, to a top of $8000 with an average of $4171 – up more than $1200 on last year.

Lot 16 was snatched up by Dargeeling Estate's Ian and Hazel Sutherland for $8000, making it the top-priced bull.

Ennerdale Ascot is a 19.5-month-old Poll Hereford weighing in at 754 kilograms.

Ascot was sired by Allendale Yallaori, a sire the Luckocks of Ennerdale are excited about.

The young sire has a birth weight figure of +5.8 and +39 for 200-day, +59 for 400-day and +82 for 600-day weight. Ascot has the deep, rich red coat and the 100 per cent eye pigment that potential buyers are after.

Dargeeling Estate also purchased lot 18 for $4000.

These bulls will be heading to the buyer's property at Coleraine.

The second-top-priced bull, lot 3, was purchased by David and Michelle Elsom for $7750.

Ennerdale Formula is an impressive 20-month-old bull sired by Guilford Future.

Formula has the highest daily weight gain of 1.31 kilograms.

The Elsoms are repeat buyers to Ennerdale.

This year their run of Hereford steers by Ennerdale bulls sold very well at the Hamilton weaner sales in January.

Kate Luckock, co-principal of Ennerdale, said sale clearances were still low for some people this year and it was no different for the family's stud.

"We were happy with the draft of bulls we offered as they presented as an even line," she said.

Ms Lockock went on to say their stud had room to grow and they were always on the lookout for new genetics.

She said the Luckocks were impressed by their new sires, Allendale Yallaroi, Guilford Future and Mawarra Vice Admiral.

Kate and James Luckock are the fourth generation of Luckocks to run this Hereford stud and are now hoping it will continue to five generations as the family passion is still there.

Elders auctioneer Ross Milne said, "Buyers were very selective but there was more activity than in 2014 with a much better clearance and average."