Fires don't prevent strong result at Sugarloaf Creek

Mr Klippel said he wasn't sure whether he would have the same buying support his sales normally had given he was right in the middle of the fire zone.

One of the family's properties was hit by the summer bushfires, which they hadn't even had a chance to properly assess because they had been so consumed in getting bulls ready for sale.

"There were roads closed and people that couldn't come that normally do, so we were starting to worry," he said.

"But it panned out well because those that came were keen to buy."

The stud offered 32 bulls for sale, with all but four selling, to an average price of $6446.

The top-priced bull, Lot 17, was purchased for $14,000 by a family that's no stranger to buying top-priced bulls from the stud, Scott and Robert Reid, Chudleigh, Howlong, NSW.

Scott Reid said Sugarloaf bulls had been doing the job for them for a number of years, hence their return year after year.

"Andy's animals are top class," he said.

"They've put the colour back in our animals and we're finding we're getting a greater line of carcases with less of a tail."

He normally assesses the bulls at Stock & Land Beef Week and picks his favourites, then assesses figures and bloodlines to decide which he wants to bid on.

The Reids took home three bulls this year, the top price and one at $12,000 and another at $11,000.

The top bull stood out because of the way he was marked, his conformation and his figures.

"Everything was there for him," he said.

The 16 month-old bull weighed 656 kilograms and had an IMF of +0.5 and an EMA of +3.3 square centimetres.

Mr Klippel said he was very happy with how the bulls turned out this year.

"I was a bit worried back in January and December because it was so hot and they weren't eating and doing much, but they had a big turn around in the last month and got back to normal," he said.

"We're looking [to breed bulls with] moderate frames and plenty of carcase."

He said there was buying support from East Gippsland and into the high country of Omeo, Benambra and Ensay, from breeders who normally sell at the Mountain Calf Sales.

He said 90 per cent of the bulls went to repeat buyers.

"It seems to be like that every year, we might pick up two or three new buyers, but most are regulars," he said.

"Which is good, it shows our cattle are doing the right thing."

Des Feuerherdt, Springfield, Culcairn, NSW, was another return buyer, who bought the biggest volume.

Mr Feuerherdt took home five bulls to a top price of $7500.