AS the final female left the “Stratton” sale ring at Guyra on Friday afternoon, the man behind Wattletop Angus, Lock Rogers, contained his emotion and shared some wise words.
“This is the fair dinkum end of Wattletop for me but for those who purchased it’s just the beginning. I’ve put 35 years into this herd and could not be prouder of the Angus operations these ladies are heading too.”
Whilst the Wattletop Stud do have their final bull sale scheduled for August 8, this was the second and final stage of their female dispersal.
Overall 217 females were offered with 215 selling at auction to average $6126.
In the breakdown, all 58 PTIC L cows sold to a top of $14,000 and averaged $6035; 113 of the 114 PTIC M cows sold to a sale high of $24,000 and averaged $6389 and 44 from 45 weaner N heifers topped at $20,000 and averaged $5568.
A rising 2-year old, Black Pearl 2006 daughter, Wattletop Ann M99, PTIC to Wattletop G188 topped the sale at $24,000 selling to Tamworth stud, Heart Angus.
Stud principal, Chris Paterson and his son Jye, selected the heifer on structural merit matched with well rounded EBVs.
“Good depth of body with an impressive outlook and femininity. She suits our program.”
“She will calve a month before our cows so will fit in well to flush her in spring” added Mr Paterson who admitted to sourcing top end cows to improve the Heart Angus herd.
The Paterson’s also secured Wattletop Barunah N68, a weaner heifer by Franklin G188 for $10,000.
Keith Kerridge, Bannaby Angus, Taralga was happy to wait for the goods, finalising the bidding war at $20,000 on lot 213, Wattletop Ann N76, a weaner heifer sired by General G18.
“She is one hell of a calf” said Mr Kerridge who secured five females to average $10,800.
“We will let her mature a little then put her straight into a flush program in late spring or early summer – she is going to be an asset to our stud”
Mr Kerridge was looking particularly for Wattletop Ann bloodlines and lots 213 and 212 are both from Ann females.
Steve and Leanne Collins, Brooksby Angus, Bundarra secured Wattletop Usual L174, a rising 3 year old Conversion 8064 daughter PTIC to Booneroo Gravity L13 for $14,000.
Described as an “outstanding type with lovely udder, and in calf to a good bull with good figures” the Collins family are hoping for a good bull calf.
“We are looking for that next bull to join our herd and this could just be it” said an excited Mr Collins, who couldn’t speak highly enough of their latest Wattletop bull, H468.
The Collins family purchased four females on the day to average $6250.
Volumne buyers were locals Roger and Geralyn Flower, Bridgewater Angus, who put a mix of 24, mainly L and M, females together to average $7167.
“We have been breeding Angus for 21 years, now we can add 35 years of Wattletop genetics into our herd” said Mr Flower, who selected on structure foremost then figures including IMF, 200 to 600-day weights and above average ABI Angus Index.
“Our herd is currently APR and with a total of 45 Wattletop cows now that gives us HBR registered cattle”
Nicholas Morgan, Glenmorgan Angus, Llangothlin added 14 females to his stud bringing his total of Wattletop females to 114.
“Today I picked mainly M cows which is unusual for me, as they are not as proven, but I was chasing new genetics like J188 and some of the matings and easy do-ability of the cattle that makes them perform well in this country appealed to me”
“I was strong on only purchasing heifers that were 1st or 2nd joiners” added Mr Morgan who averaged $7285 for his purchases.
Other volume buyers included Dewar Super Fund, Perth, Western Australia, who purchased 10 females to average $7200; Play Pty Ltd, Kempsey loading 16 females to average $3938; Broadwater Angus, Warwick, Queensland selected 11 females to average $4272; Springfield Pastoral, Merriwa bought 7 females to average $7000; Corry’s Glen Angus, Bundook took home 7 females to average $5000.
The Rock Angus averaged $7000 for four females whilst Rennylea Angus Stud, Albury averaged $10,500 for their two purchases; Mooroobie Angus, Goondiwindi secured 2 females to average $9500 and so too did Unskila Pty Ltd.
The sale was interfaced via AuctionsPlus with the online bidding platform making 236 bids on 145 lots and successfully purchasing 35 lots including the $18,000 Wattletop Usual M45 selling to a South Australian producer.
Whilst Lock Rogers did admit it was a sad day he also added that he was extremely humbled by the return clients who found Wattletop genetics to work for them.
When asked what’s next, the esteemed cattle breeder said “time for me to slow down but I can’t hide my love of eating good meat so you’ll see me dabble in my Wagyu herd”
The sale was settled by Ray White Livestock Guyra/Armidale with Paul Dooley taking the bids.
