* 61 of 62 bulls offered sold to $13,000, av $6908
FOLLOWING on from staging the largest ever Angus dispersal of registered females in March last year, Coolana sold its 2016-drop bulls in the final stage of its dispersal sale process on Thursday at Chatsworth.
Mark and Anna Gubbins, and sons Max and Ben, offered 62 Angus bulls, selling 61 to $13,000, averaging $6908.
In strong bidding, there were two bulls that made the $13,000 top price, while nine sold for $10,000 or better.
The first equal sale topper was lot 20, Coolana Docklands M682, selling to long-term top end and volume buyers, the Rowe family, Princess Royal, Burra, SA.
The 920 kilogram son of Carabar Docklands D62 had eye muscle area of +7.2, with Breedplan growth figures of +52 for 200 day weight up to +127 for 600 day weight.
This was one of four bulls Jack Rowe, accompanied by livestock manager Luke Bavistock, bought at a $7500 average.
Five lots later, Andrew Stoney, Ellingerin Pastoral Co, Inverleigh, buying through HF Richardson & Co’s Will Richardson, Geelong, also paid $13,000 to secure Coolana Conversion M185, sired by Silveiros Conversion 8064, with growth figures from +50 to +111 and an EMA of +6.9. Mr Stoney added another bull for $8000, averaging $10,500.
Volume buyer was Susie Clarke, with manager Graeme Steff, Linlithgow Plains, Devon Park, Dunkeld. They bought 15 bulls to $10,000, averaging $5867.
David and Robyn Roach, Kilkenny Pastoral Co, Hawkesdale, bought seven bulls to $10,000 twice, averaging $7571. Their two top priced purchases were for Coolana Big Sky M158, a Musgrave Big Sky son, and Coolana Franklin M115 by Wattletop Franklin G188.
Addressing the large crowd, which included 46 registered bidders from Victoria and SA, Max said it was both a sad and exciting day as they head into a new commercial chapter.
“The really emotional sale was our female dispersal when we were selling ‘the factory’, but of course there is sadness to see this side of our business lives end” he said.
“But the sale produced a really good result and was beyond our expectations. We are really appreciative of all the wonderful people who have continued to support us right through the journey.”
Elders auctioneer Ross Milne described this final draft as one of Coolana’s best.
“You don’t get to hold that number of sales across that number of years unless the breeding program is really up to scratch,” he said.
“While there is some sadness at the closing of the Coolana seedstock program, another chapter opens.”
The sale was conducted by Elders, Mortlake.
