Leawood Angus clears 96 per cent of bulls as $16,000 top price is reached five times
Summary
Leawood Angus recorded a 96 per cent clearance at its spring bull sale, with commercial producers from across Gippsland buying 52 of the 54 bulls on offer. Despite offering 10 more bulls than the stud's autumn sale, demand held firm, lifting the average to $9577 - a rise of $577 on the previous sale - while the $16,000 top price was reached five times. The Flynn-based operation attributed the result to functional, structurally correct cattle backed by strong New Zealand pedigrees, higher fat and muscle content, and low-maintenance genetics that perform in commercial conditions. Four of the equal-top-priced bulls went to a single repeat client and largest volume buyer, who planned to use the 18-month-old bulls over younger breeders in a 700-head Angus operation, valuing their low birth weights and good figures for easier calving. A fifth $16,000 bull was purchased by a family transitioning from office jobs into farming, joining a herd of 140 Angus breeders. Buyers were drawn to softness, quality heads and carcase-backed bulls that hit market specifications, with several long-term clients returning. The sale also attracted five first-time buyers, underlining broadening interest in the bloodline. Cattle from these operations are typically turned off between 12 and 15 months of age across spring, summer and autumn, reflecting the commercial focus that continues to drive demand for the stud's Angus genetics across South and East Gippsland.
Key Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Clearance rate | 96% |
| Bulls sold / offered | 52 of 54 |
| Average price | $9577 |
| Average lift on previous sale | $577 |
| Top price (reached five times) | $16,000 |
| Largest buyer's breeder herd | 700 head |
| Bull age | 18 months |
| First-time buyers | 5 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What was the clearance rate at the Leawood Angus spring sale?
The stud achieved a 96 per cent clearance, selling 52 of the 54 bulls offered. Buyers were mainly commercial producers from across Gippsland.
What was the top price and average?
The average was $9577, up $577 on the previous sale. The $16,000 top price was reached five times.
Who were the largest volume buyers?
The largest volume buyers were a repeat client couple who purchased four of the equal-top-priced bulls. They planned to use the 18-month-old bulls over younger breeders in a 700-head Angus operation.
Why were low birth weights important to buyers?
Some bulls had reasonably low birth weights, which buyers believed would help with heifers that had struggled to calve. The aim was to make the operation more fool-proof and easier to manage.
How were the bulls described by the selling agent?
The bulls were described as having softness, great heads and carcase-backing. They were said to perform and hit market specifications.
Were there new buyers at the sale?
Yes, the sale attracted five first-time buyers. Several long-term clients also returned.
What genetics does the stud emphasise?
The stud emphasises structurally correct Angus cattle backed by strong New Zealand pedigrees. It focuses on higher fat and muscle content and low-maintenance cattle that perform in commercial conditions.
When are the resulting cattle typically sold?
Cattle from one buyer's operation are sold between 12 and 15 months of age. They are turned off across spring, summer and autumn at a Gippsland livestock exchange.
