*101 of 101 bulls sold, top price $22,000, av $9089
BOONAROO Angus achieved a total clearance of 101 bulls in the sale ring this week as locals scrambled to buy sires as the value of females soars.
Stud principal Shane Foster said the Casterton district was having one of its best-ever seasons and that, together with industry positivity, had buoyed the 97 registered buyers at the sale, which drew a crowd of 240 people.
"With the value of breeders going up very quickly, people are seeing opportunities," Mr Foster said.
"With the season we've had, quite a few people kept their heifers and are going to join them, so needed bulls."
The average price of $9089 a head was up on last year and the stud sold an extra eight bulls.
The top-priced bull, Lot 4, was a 17 to 18-month-old sired by Coolana Revenue and sold to Graeme Riechelt, Mt Burr, SA.
It was the Richelt's third purchase from Boonaroo, having purchased the top-priced bull a few years ago.
Mr Foster described Lot 4 as a moderately-framed bull.
"He was very, very thick and extremely quiet, with an amazing temperament," he said.
"Structurally, he was as close to perfect as you could get, a very sound, well put together bull with great feet and legs.
"He stood out from when he was a three or four-month-old all the way up to the sale."
"We're very focused on producing an animal that's very fertile, has the ability to do on grass without having to be supplementary fed.
"They've got to be able to be run at high stocking rates and then get back in calf and produce a fit, healthy calf.
"We've also got a reasonable focus on keeping that calving ease as positive as possible."
All of the 420-strong Boonaroo cows are registered and performance-recorded.
Hugh and Clare Bainger, Hillcrest Pastoral, Lucindale, SA, were first-time Boonaroo Angus buyers and took home 10 Boonaroo bulls.
Declaring himself very happy with the sale, Mr Foster said that it was an opportunity for like-minded people to connect.
"It was probably the biggest crowd we've had attend," he said.
"We try to make it a good experience for everyone that comes along, not just for bull buying; we put on a meal so everyone can have a catch-up afterwards."
Shane and Jodie Foster also took the opportunity to give back to the community, donating $100 for every bull sold to bushfire relief charity, BlazeAid.
Agents and the family also bought goods that were auctioned off, bringing the total BlazeAid donation to $10,700 for the day.
