*56 of 59 bulls sold to a top of $24,000, av $7464
A QUALITY draught of bulls was the drawcard at the third on-property sale at Yarram Park, where hopeful buyers from as far as Northern NSW, South Australia, Gippsland and Western Victoria filled the stands.
Spirited bidding started early with a feature bull, Lot 1, Yarram Storm N090, topping the sale at $24,000.
The 22 month-old stud sire prospect, at 964 kilograms and sired by Yarram Star General K092, was snapped up Newcomen Herefords stud principal Barry Newcomen, Ensay.
Mr Newcomen said Lot 1 was “a nice moving bull, with plenty of length, and smooth shoulders”, and stud master Mat Marshall had viewed the bull prior to sale day.
“I was looking for a good quality bull to join with our heifers this year, and I knew I had to pay for him”, Mr Newcomen said.
“I’ve spent a lot of money on bulls the past few years and the quality of our heifers we keep is getting better.
"Horned yearling heifers represent 25 per cent of our joined females, and those heifers’ genetics are worthy of having a good bull."
A solid sale average of $7464 saw 12 lots sell for $10,000 and above, with both Lot 2, Yarram Lottery N121, bought by John and Liz Craig, Casterton, and Lot 3, Yarram Pompeii N077, secured by Pepper Partnership, knocked down at $16,000 each.
The Craigs run a commercial herd and purchased five bulls in total.
Mr Craig said his family have been buying from Yarram Park for 18 years, and like the doing ability, phenotype and temperament of the bulls, and notably, “ the weight gain off grass”.
Fellow long-term clients of over 30 years, Paul and Carolyn Malseed, Condah, successfully bid on three bulls with Lot 43, Yarram Lottery N258, topping their sale card at $14,000.
“The depth of bulls on offer gave us a good choice to pick from," Mr Malseed said.
Yarram Park general manager Jeremy Upton said the sale result was really pleasing considering the season and conditions.
"It's wonderful to have the support of long-term clients and to see the bulls go into new clients' herds," Mr Upton said.
"Barry Newcomen has been a great supporter and it's pleasing to see the lead bull go to a very good stud herd in East Gippsland."
Stud principal Anthony Baillieu said he was happy with the sale under the circumstances as some buyers from the north didn’t require bulls this year.
“There was a good spread of prices,” Mr Baillieu said.
Elders auctioneer Ross Milne said it was a positive sale with a great clearance.
