*23 of 40 bulls sold to $11,000 twice to av, $6413
IT WAS a positive day for the Lyons family of Melville Park Herefords and Melville Poll Herefords’, who held their 35th annual sale on Monday, at Vasey.
Two bulls hit the top price of $11,000, with an on-property record average being reached of $6413.
This average is up over $1700 on last year’s average.
The first top price was found in Lot 7, Melville My Day M497.
This Days Calibre son, out of a third calving Yavenvale Intrinsic cow, was the heaviest bull in the draft, tipping the scales at 898 kilograms.
He has Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) of +8.4 for birth weight, +7 for milk, +43 for 200-day weight, +69 for 400-day weight, +104 for 600-day weight, eye muscle area of +5.0 and intra-muscular fat of +0.1.
Peter Guthrie, Cavendish, was the successful bidder on this lot, after spirited bidding.
“I loved this bull’s balance and overall quality,” Mr Guthrie said.
“He fitted all my requirements; he is an early maturing bull, which is what I was after as I need to infuse some of that into my program, and he also carries a lot of muscle.”
The second top-price bull was found in Lot 12, Melville Park My Pick M346, a Yavenvale Dodwell son, out of a Melville Park Dakota cow.
This young sire was the second heaviest in the line of bulls weighing in at 888kg.
This bull’s EBVs are +6.8 for bw, +19 for milk, +36 for 200dw, +57 for 400dw, +91 for 600dw, EMA of +3.3 and IMF of +1.2.
Ken Atiken, Kongorong, a long-time supporter of the Melville operation, was successful in the purchase of this bull.
“I really liked the way this bull was put together,” Mr Atiken said.
“I don’t focus much on the estimated breeding values but his milk and 600-day weight fits into where I would like them.
“He just has a great shape and build.”
Volume buyers on the day were Shallum Holdings, with three bulls to average $7000, Karingal Prime Herefords, Cherrymount Partnership, and Coorabil Pastoral, all with two bulls to average $7000, $6500 and $4000 respectively.
Elders Auctioneer, Ross Milne said: "There was really good top-end inquiry which resulted in the best average ever achieved in 35 years, while there was still good bulls at the base price.”
Melville Park’s co-principal David Lyons said after sale that their average has never been over $5000.
“Our average and top price are up on last year’s sale,” Mr Lyons said.
“The demand was for the polled bulls but the good horned bulls sold well.
“I think this would be one of the better drafts of bulls we have offered.”
A further four bulls were sold after auction.