*38 of 43 bulls sold to $10,000, av $5960
*Total clearance of nine heifers to a top of $2600, av $2166
MOUNT William Charolais stud celebrated three significant milestones in one go at its recent bull sale, and was rewarded with an impressive result.
It was the Willaura-based stud’s 20th annual on-property sale, its 50-year anniversary breeding Charolais cattle, and 100-year anniversary owning their current property.
There were 42 bulls offered for sale at the milestone event, and 38 sold to a top price of $10,000.
While the top price was a pleasing result for the stud, it did not come close to its current on-property sale record of $26,000, which was made at last year’s sale and was a Victorian Charolais price record.
The average price was $5960, $2000 down on last year, which may have been a sign of the current dry conditions.
One more bull sold this year than last.
The stud also offered a select amount of nine purebred Charolais heifers.
These were eagerly sought after with all nine clearing to a top price of $2600, and an average price of $2166.
It was Lot 4 which captured the buying gallery’s attention, reaching the top price of the sale.
Mount William Neptune, sired by Silverstream Geddes, was described by Mount William stud principal Rob Abbott as being an early maturing, deep, well-muscled bull, who was very thick set but maintained softness.
He was the first Silverstream Geddes son to be offered in the catalogue.
The March 2017-drop bull recorded estimated breeding values (EBVs) of +1.9 kilograms birth weight, +11kg 200-day weight, +25kg 400-day weight and +35kg 600-day weight.
Its EMA was +2.2 square centimetres.
The top-priced bull was purchased by George Crocombe and Angela and Robert Perkins, Narweena Station, Dunkeld.
Mr Crocombe has been buying bulls from the stud for the past 20 years.
He said every year he was impressed by the temperament and quality of the bulls on offer.
Terry Dove and Shelby Howard, Charles Stewart Dove, were big supporters of the sale, purchasing multiple lots on behalf of a range of clients.
Their final taking was 18 bulls, almost half of the offering, and five heifers, more than half of the offering.
The sale was conducted by Elders and Charles Stewart Dove.