BARWIDGEE
*48 of 56 bulls sold to $14,000, av $5385
A BULL described as a “model bull in every way” has hit the top price at Barwidgee Angus stud’s autumn bull sale in Caramut.
The stud offered 56 bulls, and sold 48, to an average price of $5385, and top price of $14,000, which is up $4000 on last year’s top price.
The top price was reached at the commencement of the sale, for Lot 1, Barwidgee 16501, and was purchased by Independent Breeding and Marketing Services agent Dick Whale, on behalf of Rennylea Angus stud principals Bryan and Lucinda Corrigan, Bowna, NSW.
Mr Whale said the Corrigan family had seen the bull during Stock & Land Beef Week, and were determined to incorporate him into their stud herd.
“He is a very well-structured bull, with the sort of figures Rennylea is looking for, good growth and carcase quality,” Mr Whale said.
The September 2016-drop bull recorded +4.0 kilograms birth weight, +45kg 200-day weight, +92kg 400-day weight, and +115kg 600-day weight.
He said Rennylea and Barwidgee both have similar breeding objectives.
“Wendy and David [Kelly] have been buying a lot of semen from Rennylea over the years, in fact this bull that Rennylea purchased was a grandson of Rennylea C511,” he said.
“The Barwidgee herd is run at high stocking rates, the cow herd has to perform on pastures, with minimal supplementary feeding, and that is similar at Rennylea.”
John Buhlmann, Millicent, SA, was the underbidder on the top-priced bull.
Mr Buhlmann said if anyone was new to the industry, and wanted to see what a model bull looked like, they should look at this bull.
“It was disappointing to miss out, but I am glad he went to a stud, because it means his genetics will stay within the industry,” Mr Buhlmann said.
A return client of over 20 years, he instead purchased two other bulls.
Another buyer of multiple bulls was Neville and Flo Young, Caramut, who purchased three to a top of $5000 (twice), av $4833.
“We’ve been buying for more than 20 years, and they’ve been doing a good job for us,” Mr Young said.
“We try and get low birth weight, so we can use them over heifers.”
Barwidgee stud co-principal Wendy Kelly said it was difficult to depart with the top-priced bull, who was “structurally beautifully put together”.
“He’s got great figures, and outstanding temperament,” Ms Kelly said.
“We hoped to offer a consistent lineup of bulls, with fairly moderate birth weights, positive fats, and not extreme in any way.”
She said she was very pleased with the result of the sale.
“We had lots of repeat clients, which is pleasing because it means the bulls are performing where they’re going,” she said.