Pathfinder bulls snapped up by buyers from three states at Gazette sale

Bulls from Pathfinder Angus' stud sale at Gazette on Wednesday are heading to three different states.

Repeat buyer Old Canowie Cattle bought seven bulls which are heading to the stud's Jamestown, SA, property as well as its property north of Alice Springs, NT.

The top-priced bull, Lot 3, Pathfinder New Ground U338, was bought by Steve Holloway, Fernbank, Mepunga, for $22,000.

The March 2023-drop bull weighed 940 kilograms and was sired by TFAN90 Landfall New Ground N90 and out of SMPQ303 Pathfinder Garth Q303.

The sale topper recorded TransTasman Angus Cattle Evaluation figures of +11.5 square centimetres eye muscle area, birth weight of +5.5kg, 200-day weight of +66kg, 400-day weight of +121kg and a 600-day weight of +158kg.

Mr Holloway, also a repeat buyer, said he "liked the look" of the bull.

"I like his shape," he said.

"He's a good bull and his genetics are good."

Mr Holloway said the bull would be joined with Angus cows.

At the end of the sale, 102 of 104 bulls had sold, with the additional two bulls selling at the completion of the sale.

There was an average price of $9702.

Last year, 106 of 117 bulls offered sold to an average price of $8750.

Nutrien account manager Nick Heffernan, Naracoorte, SA, bought seven bulls for Old Canowie Cattle, including Lot 39, Pathfinder Plantation U185, for $8000.

"It was good buying today," Mr Heffernan said.

"They were good, honest bulls."

Mr Heffernan said they would be heading to two different states.

"They will go up into South Australia and the Northern Territory," he said.

"They have good longevity, especially in the bush."

Nutrien SA stud stock manager Gordon Wood said the results of the sale were fantastic.

"Everyone knows how tough this season has been so the cream has certainly come off the top for most producers, who are having to spend a lot on hay and fodder," he said.

"To have 104 bulls with a full clearance rate is fantastic and the top price was $22,000 so it's not like there is a $50,000 bull lifting the average here."

The average price was slightly lower than Pathfinder's SA sale, which averaged $9790.

"We've had a lot of repeat buyers, a couple of new ones and some really strong bidding online," Mr Wood said.

A number of bulls were snapped up by AuctionsPlus and were heading to NSW.

Pathfinder stud principal Nick Moyle said he was thrilled with the result.

"We're really pleased," he said.

"It's a great result when the season is dry.

"It's fantastic to get the repeat buyers and the confidence in our cattle.

"We really appreciate it."

Mr Moyle said Old Canowie Cattle had been buying their stock for about 15 years.

"They do really well up there," he said.

"We have been selecting for positive fat and doing ability and that does really well in that area."

Mr Moyle was not surprised Pathfinder New Ground U338 was the top-selling bull.

"He was a standout," he said.

Mr Moyle said he had "plenty of length" and good docility.