Buyers think the Universe of spring-drop Granite Ridge Angus bull

The top of the spring-drop Angus bulls commanded the most attention at the Granite Ridge on-property auction on Friday.

It felt like the world was bidding on the August 2023-drop Granite Ridge Universe U417, which was eventually knocked down for a healthy $23,000.

While several bulls went into five figures and beyond, plenty in the crowd had their eye on the 738 kilogram son of Sitz Spectrum and Granite Ridge Blackbird S511.

The successful bidder was one and done buyer Greg Fisher, Clover Ridge Pastoral, Marcollat, who came, saw and bought what he wanted.

Preparing to mate 1300 Angus females this year, Mr Fisher said the addition to Clover Ridge's bull team would be a good candidate for the heifers.

"It is a soft and easy doing bull and that's what caught my eye," he said.

"It also has a good rump and positive fats, and it's birthweight was good so I can AI him to heifers."

The bull boasted a handy set of arithmetic with a birthweight of only 26 kilograms (+3.0 on the EBV measure) with much of the catalogue in the 32-42kg region.

Showing its exceptional birth to growth, its 200 and 400-day weights were then in the top 10 per cent, and its 600-day weight in the top 5pc.

In terms of raw data, it had a scrotal circumference of 41 centimetres and an eye muscle area of 102cm square.

In the overall washup, the season had a say with 68 of 96 bulls sold to a healthy average of $7676.

Last year's corresponding February sale saw 74 of 99 bulls sold to a top of $19,000 and an average of $8378, while the stud's spring sale, held in late August, facilitated the sale of 26 of 36 rising two-year-olds for an average of $7404.

Granite Ridge principal Scott Finlay said there was a great turnout of buyers and he was pleased with how the bulls presented given the challenging year they'd endured.

"We thought the average was pretty handy and we knew the clearance was going to be a bit tough," he said.

"All in all it was still good to see plenty of support for the program. We had lots of return buyers and plenty of new faces too.

"For the bulls to look this good after the season we've had, we're pretty happy."

Some other notable purchases included the 696kg spring-drop Granite Ridge Uber U404 that was knocked down for $14,000 to Boonderoo Pastoral Company, Conmurra.

That was a son of Pine View Mogul G241 and out of Granite Ridge Katie S419, with EBVs in the top 10pc on two calving ease traits and 400-day weight.

Another spring-drop bull - the 674kg Granite Ridge Utah U488 - made $14,000 to Saltwell Pastoral Company, Kingston, boasting top 5pc measurements in mature weight, carcase weight, rib fat, and top 10pc measure in 400 and 600-day weight and days to calving.

Leading the way in the autumn 2023-drop bulls was a Granite Ridge Supertrooper S58 son from the Millah Murrah Paratrooper line - Granite Ridge Uuuu U220 - that made $13,000 to CD&JL Muster Family Trust, through Elders Bordertown.

Making the same coin was an Ellingson Three Rivers 8062 son - Granite Ridge Upstream U85 - which sold to Chameleon Investments, Kingston.

Both these bulls ranked highly on carcase attributes.

Much of the buying support was from the Lower South East, with a Kangaroo Island buyer and western Vic buyer also in the mix.

The volume buyer taking home eight bulls, averaging $8625, was Boonderoo Pastoral Company, while Hillcrest Pastoral Company, Avenue Range, secured six bulls, averaging $7333.

Also buying half a dozen was Riverside Partnership, through O'Connor & Graney.

CP&JL Holloway, through Nutrien Kingston, were successful on five bulls, averaging $7400, while KI buyer Kiwi Blue finished with five bulls, averaging $6200.

The sale was conducted by Elders, with SA southern livestock manager Laryn Gogel doing the auctioneer duties.

One of the earlier sales of the season, Mr Gogel said it was clear buyers had come with a certain number in mind to buy and were apprehensive about getting any extra.

"We realise it has been a tough year and a lot of people have relinquished cows and that means less bulls," he said.

"The season's been tight and people have had to invest pretty well in keeping a program going so we know people are apprehensive about buying an extra bull so I think the sale went well considering the circumstances of the season.

"If we get an early break a few people will get on board to get some more females in paddocks so there could be a resurgence of southern guys looking for an extra bull.

"But today shows that people have come with a task of buying so many bulls and stuck to it."