SALE SUMMARY
Bulls 2017 2016
Offered 56 53
Sold 56 53
Top $12,500 $16,000
Av $6830 $5877
Females
Offered 36
Sold 31
Top $18,000
Av $5096
STRONG buyer competition from five states ensured a total clearance at Lancaster Black Simmental stud’s annual bull sale at Meningie on Friday, and a lift in average of nearly $1000 on the 2016 sale.
Tim, Lise, Henry and Prue Cartledge presented an even line-up of 56 purebred and hybrid bulls and were rewarded with a healthy $6830 average.
The bulls offered were all recorded on the American Simmental Association’s performance database, with strong emphasis on commercially-relevant traits.
Lot 42 – LCS Lancelot L194 – commanded the top price of $12,500, selling to repeat buyers Steve and Robyn White, Roma, Qld.
The 890-kilogram, June 2015-drop Lancelot was a powerhouse bull with class and impressive expected progeny difference figures, being in the top two per cent for growth and marbling and top 4pc for its All Purpose index.
The Whites have been Lancaster clients since 2013, but it was their first time attending the sale from Qld.
They run 1200 Angus and Santa Gertrudis-Charolais cows, which they mate to Lancaster Black Simmental bulls.
The progeny are sold as weaners at the Roma saleyards.
Mrs White said the Lancaster progeny had “exceptional temperament, weight for age and softness”.
The Whites bought six bulls and two females.
Amherst Livestock Trust, Willalooka – which has been buying Lancaster bulls since the first sale in 2006 – bought five bulls to $8000, averaging $6900.
Moville property manager Ben Driver said they selected hybrid bulls for their “weight gain, muscle, softness and temperament”, breeding weaners for their annual on-property circuit weaner sale.
S&N Mudge, Port Wakefield, were another major buyer, with four bulls averaging $6875.
Tim Cartledge said they were proud of the consistent, thick, easy-doing and moderate-framed bulls.
He was also pleased to see such a large crowd and 14 new buyers.
The Cartledge family also offered a cross-section from their breeding herd, including cows and calves, pregnancy-tested in-calf females and weaned heifers.
A female stud record of $18,000 was achieved for lot 2 – LCS Blanche G175 –which sold to Tom and Lizzy Baker, Woonallee Simmental stud, Furner.
Elders’ Lewis Bruggemann was taking the Woonallee phone bids.
Blanche G175 sold with a stylish bull calf at-foot by Hook’s Yellowstone.
Mr Baker said they were always on the lookout for “outstanding females”.
Gary and Joy Allen, Tugalawa stud, Mount Gambier, paid the $12,500 second-highest price for LCS Erica H433.
Spence Dix & Co auctioneer Jono Spence said it was an excellent sale, with a good mix of repeat and new buyers.
“The draft of bulls was as even as any that has been offered in recent weeks,” he said.
“The success of the sale is due to the continued discipline selection and dedication in their breeding program.”