SA Angus studs enjoy strong support in bull sales
The state's Angus breeders were apprehensive the very dry season and huge supplementary feeding bills would result in lower averages and a big drop in clearance rate during SA Angus Week.
But in proof of the breed's continued dominance among southern producers, there was a $7.27 million spending spree.
In 20 sales across the state 810 bulls sold from 998 offered.
These young sires averaged $8973 - only about $1000 less than 2024 sales when 918 bulls sold of 1028 bulls offered averaging $10,109.
Some of the hardest hit clearance-wise were studs which held online only sales.
They decided to reduce the numbers in their SA sale to ensure the success of their inaugural February bull sale at their Branxholme property in Vic on Monday.
In another great result, all 21 bulls sold for a $9429 average and topped at $28,000.
"We remain grateful to our loyal clients and welcomed new clients who supported our consistently robust, docile and problem-free bulls," Mr Glatz said.
"We have confidence and faith in our breeding program and we have that same confidence and faith in our clients who reap the results of GBA bulls within their programs.
"At the end of the day, we love what we do but couldn't do it without the support of our wonderful clients and friends."
Their lot 2 bull, Nampara Kingdom U214, was knocked down for $35,000 to Clover Ridge Pastoral, Woolumbool.
The 21.5-month-old son of $150,000 Millah Murrah Kingdom weighed in at 1155 kilograms and had an exceptional 136 square centimetre eye muscle area.
"He is a bull that we have always had a lot of time for, we took him around to a few shows and he is incredibly quiet," Mrs Hann said.
"He is so structurally sound with muscle and great weight or age but he carries it all with ease."
Angus Australia extension manager Jake Phillips said it was pleasing to see their "hard-working members rewarded for their commitment to breeding market-relevant bulls despite one of the driest periods in living memory in Southern Australia."
He said it was pleasing the overall clearance was similar to 2024 and for some members to increase their sale average price, effectively going against the grain.
The DiGiorgio family, Sterita Park stud, Lucindale lifted their average to $10,141 - up more than $1000 on 2024 and Trent Walker and Rob Swinton, Keringa stud, Culburra, also posted a nearly $1000 higher average and full clearance of 48 bulls for a $9234 average.
"We are also proud of the work our seedstock members are doing not just in sale week but throughout the year which has driven the Australian beef herd to now be 53 per cent Angus, an increase of 5pc from five years ago, while 71pc of the bulls being used are now Angus influenced, an increase of 25pc from 5 years ago," Mr Phillips said.
Mr Phillips said bull buyers were also accessing more information than ever before with more than 250,000 hits annually on Angus Australia's online catalogues.
"This is an indication of the 46pc increase in estimated breeding value adoption in bull buying from five years ago to which many are seeking out superior genetics for docility, intramuscular fat and 400-day weight amongst other traits according to recent surveys," he said.
"We hope the season can turn around for all our members in Southern Australia as soon as possible."
