High-performance Angus and Black Simmental genetics drive the Hobbs Livestock sale to a $32,000 top at Molong
Summary
High-performance genetics again topped the Hobbs Livestock sale at Molong, where a returning interstate buyer claimed the sale-leading bull for a third consecutive year. The Angus offering saw 21 of 28 bulls sell to a top of $32,000 and an average of $11,619, while seven of 12 Black Simmental bulls sold to a top of $18,000 for an $8000 average. The $32,000 top bull was a 680-kilogram, 16-month-old sire carrying an 11-millimetre rump, 8mm rib fat, a 105 square centimetre eye muscle area and 7.8 per cent intramuscular fat. Its estimated breeding values included 200, 400 and 600-day growth of +66, +81 and +157, all in the top 5 per cent for the breed, plus a carcase weight of +97 in the top 3 per cent and rib fat of +2.9 in the top 6 per cent. The bull also posted an Angus Breeding Index of $288 and an Angus Breeding Low Feed Cost Index of $476, ranking top 2 and top 1 per cent respectively. Its sire had sold for $86,000 in 2023, and its dam traces to a foundation cow behind last year's stud-record $40,000 top bull. The same buyer secured a yearling half-brother for $16,000, while a $28,000 yearling with a 170 square centimetre eye muscle area sold to another Angus stud. The top Black Simmental was a 762-kilogram sire making $18,000, with progeny differences including a weaning weight of 95.1 in the top 10 per cent. Nutrien conducted the sale with an online interface provided by AuctionsPlus.
Key Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Angus top price | $32,000 |
| Angus bulls sold | 21 of 28 |
| Angus average | $11,619 |
| Black Simmental top price | $18,000 |
| Black Simmental average | $8000 |
| Top bull weight | 680 kg |
| Top bull Angus Breeding Index | $288 (top 2pc) |
| Top bull 600-day growth EBV | +157 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What was the top price for the Angus bulls?
The top Angus bull sold for $32,000 to a returning interstate buyer. It was the third consecutive year that buyer claimed the sale's leading lot.
How many bulls sold and at what averages?
Of 28 Angus bulls offered, 21 sold to average $11,619. Seven of 12 Black Simmental bulls sold to average $8000, with a top of $18,000.
What were the top bull's key figures?
The 680-kilogram, 16-month-old bull had a 105 square centimetre eye muscle area and 7.8 per cent intramuscular fat. Its growth EBVs of +66, +81 and +157 were all in the top 5 per cent for the breed.
How did the top bull rank on the breeding indices?
It posted an Angus Breeding Index of $288, in the top 2 per cent, and an Angus Breeding Low Feed Cost Index of $476, in the top 1 per cent. Its carcase weight of +97 was in the top 3 per cent.
What is the pedigree link to last year's sale?
The top bull's dam traces back to a foundation cow in the operation. That cow was also behind last year's stud-record $40,000 top-priced bull.
What else did the top buyer purchase?
The same buyer secured a yearling half-brother of the top bull for $16,000. That yearling ranked in the top 12 per cent for 400-day weight at +110.
What was the top Black Simmental?
The top Simmental was a 762-kilogram, 16-month-old sire that made $18,000. Its estimated progeny differences included a weaning weight of 95.1, in the top 10 per cent for the breed.
Who conducted the sale?
The sale was conducted by Nutrien. AuctionsPlus provided the online bidding interface.
