Goolagong Mid North sale underpinned by pastoral support

Sons of "extremely exciting sires" highlighted the Goolagong ninth annual Mid North bull sale on Friday.

Of 69 bulls offered, 60 sold to a top of $12,000 and a healthy average of $7900 - slightly back on last year's average by $818, when 79 bulls were offered and 78 sold.

The Tiller family had a complete clearance of 49 Angus bulls to a top of $12,000 and $8265 average, while 11 of 20 Santa Gertrudis-Angus cross bulls offered were sold to a top of $7000 and a $6273 average.

The top price bull Goolagong Geddes U141 was knocked down to long-term supporter BT&E Ling, Mount Benson, Kingston SE.

It was a June 2023-drop 854-kilogram bull, with a 44-centimetre scrotal circumference and a 1.35 daily weight gain.

Lot 1 was sired by Black Angus Geddes R605 and had estimated breeding values of CEDir +8.5, CEDtrs +6.5, +2 birth weight, +23 milk, +3.1 scrotal size, +2.5 eye muscle area, and a +0.54 claw.

Nutrien stud stock agent Richard Miller secured the bull on behalf of his client, who were chasing bulls suitable for heifer mating.

"They're looking for low birth weight and high calving, aiming within the top five to 15 per cent for birth weight and calving ease and still plenty of growth," he said.

"The bull himself was a real phenotype bull; he has a lot of performance in him while still keeping a small birth, easy fleshing, a real naturally thick bull with a good structure, and beautiful slick skin on him.

"The bulls will go into a commercial Angus herd where they're breeding high-end commercial cattle."

The Lings also bought lot 41, Goolagong Geddes U198, at $9000.

Volume buyers of the sale included Barns Pastoral who secured 17 head across both breeds to a $7000 average, while Pandurra Pastoral bought seven to a $9000 average.

Barns Pastoral, Gidgelpa Station, owner Jason Barns said he bought the Angus bulls to put over maiden heifers, while the Sangus would join their "normal commercial herd" as they were bigger and acclimatised.

"I have been supporting Goolagong for about ten years and the cattle are in terrific order considering the season they've had," he said.

"They're well-presented and a quality article."

Billa Kalina Pastoral Co and Old Canowie Cattle Co also bought six each to $9000 and $7500 averages respectively.

The auction was interfaced with AuctionsPlus which had two successful bidders, Dylan Walker, Penola, and Nutrien Kingscoote, Kangaroo Island, both buying bulls at $8000.

Goolagong stud principal Heath Tiller said he was extremely happy with the sale results after clearing all the Angus bulls and hosting new clients.

"We also had a lot of returning pastoral clients, but there are still a few heading down south which is great to see," he said.

"The top price bull had a very good data set, and he led off the sale catalogue as he had been a very good standout calf all season.

"It's very great to have return clients down in the South East and good to see the bulls going well for them, and for other clients up this way, the feedback has been great to hear they're lasting a long time and coming in at each muster.

"Hopefully we get a kind season this year, as we've doubled our stud over the last three years and we've got 300 bulls that will go through for our sale teams coming up for next year."

Nutrien auctioneer Richard Miller said the sale had an outstanding result with "northern blokes" turning up in numbers to support the operation.

"There was solid bidding from four or five stations looking for a fairly large volume, and happy to compete on the same bulls and secure them," he said.

"The sale was underpinned by some volume station orders of long-term repeat buyers of the program with the occasional better bull being punched up north of $10,000 and some going back down to the South East.

"The bulls are renowned for their easy-doing ability, their high growth, ability to be able to walk and cover the station country in the pastoral zones where a lot of them went, and people could buy them with confidence all day long."

Nutrien stud stock agents Gordon Wood and Richard Miller shared the auctioneering duties.