A top of $23,000 was achieved twice at a sizzling Te Mania sale at Mortlake last Wednesday (March 2), when 133 bulls averaged $7353 in a 95 per cent clearance.
This was a terrific result for the Gubbins and McFarlane families, achieving an increase of $1000 in top price from last year and an $818 lift in the average price.
Co-principal Tom Gubbins said: “While it was satisfying to see our genetics being purchased at top levels by successful stud and commercial herds that have such a strong focus on performance and consumer demands, it was also very pleasing to see commercial producers at all levels getting access to affordable genetics that still rank in the top percentiles of the breed.”
That top end saw 25 bulls exceed $10,000, including three over $20,000.
Top-priced bulls
The first major highlight was achieved just two lots in when the 762kg, 19 month-old Te Mania Kasbah K388 (AI) (ET) was offered. Sired by TC Aberdeen 759, this bull had top of breed rankings over many of its EBVs plus all four of the $ indices. An eye muscle area EBV of 12.3, 400 day weight of +95 and calving ease attributes for daughters at +3.2 and birth weight at just 1.9 were highlights.
Shane and Jodie Foster, Boonaroo Angus, Casterton, secured the bull for $23,000.
“Kasbah is also an ideal outcross for our herd, and he stood out with his frame, structural excellence and temperament, plus his data suggests he could have a huge impact on the industry,” Mr Foster said.
"We loved this bull for his incredible length and ability to carry muscle right through a strong topline and down through his hindquarter, while still retaining so much softness and do-ability. We feel he is the type of bull that can transform a herd; a real game changer,” Ms Foster said.
It was not until lot 58 that the other equal top-priced bull was knocked down to Greg and Sally Chappell, Dulverton Angus, Glen Innes, NSW. Mr Chappell said Te Mania Kilkenny K912 (AI), sired by Te Mania Governor G576 (AI) ticked all the boxes of sound structure, temperament, calving ease and adequate growth.
“We were shopping around for another top sire with a focus on eating qualities, and the strength of this herd for carcase trait bulls is widely recognised,” Mr Chappell said.
“The success of this bull’s sire line gave us the confidence to travel down from Glen Innes.
“The added bonus was its dam is a Mittagong family cow and our first cow about 30 years ago was Te Mania Mittagong C65; so it was going back to our successful roots in a way while also gaining the performance levels of his outcross sire.”
Volume buyers
Sam Coulton, buying for his family trading as Morella Agriculture, Goondiwindi, Qld, was back in force at both the top end and volume buying stakes. He purchased 12 bulls, including four over $10,000 and averaged $9583 to be the highest individual bull buyer. Included was Te Mania Kingfield K1019 (AI) (ET) at $16,000, the other equal highest IMF scoring bull, also by Tuwharetoa Regent D145.
Balmoral Park, through Elders Yea were strong bidders in the top half, purchasing three outstanding bulls to $21,000 and averaging $16,333.Their top purchase, Te Mania Kelsey K565 (AI) (ET) and sired by Tuwharetoa Regent D145 had massive EBVs for growth up to +126 for 600 day weight, eye muscle at +7.3, and intramuscular fat at +4.0, the equal highest IMF in the catalogue.
On Auctions Plus 55 bidders logged in from around the country and were successful in purchasing 14 bulls at a $5429 average.
Cameron Hilton, Corcoran Parker, Wodonga, contributed strongly to the result with five clients who collectively purchased 20 bulls, average $5000 average.
“Our clients are looking at structure, IMF and 600 day weight in particular for steers to go into feedlots. They were all impressed with what was on offer,” Mr Hilton said.
Siblings John and Marisa Bergamin, Bergamin Pastoral Co, Willow Grove, and buying through Landmark Pakenham’s Peter Brewer were also strong bidders, purchasing four bulls, average $10,000.
Other prominent buyers included DJ Thompson Trust, Bellbrook, with six bulls to $12,000 and at a $9167 average, and the TRT Transport Group, through Elders Yea, who purchased five bulls to $14,000 and at an $8800 average.
Female sale
The Team Te Mania online commercial female sale was held the previous evening, with 540 of the 566 Angus females offered clearing. The sale offered high quality females from New England in NSW, throughout Victoria, and across to Tailem Bend in SA through Auctions Plus. The system continues to build momentum, with Te Mania reporting 3280 catalogue views for this sale and 58 bidders logged in to buy.
It was Knewleave Partnership, Queenscliffe, one of Team Te Mania’s highly regarded progeny testing herds that received the top price of $2220/head for 14 ACR registered 2.5 year-old cows with autumn calves at foot.
“This sale produced a very solid result and represented good value for both the vendors and purchasers,” co-principal Hamish McFarlane said.