Goalkeeper sons shoot to the top of Fernhill Angus bull sale
The sons of an imported sire from the United States were in good demand at the Fernhill Angus sale on Wednesday, March 26, near Hopefield, on the Victorian border.
The top-priced bull, Fernhill U160, was purchased by NT and BA Cheshire, Burrowye, Vic, for $15,550.
One of two Baldridge SR Goalkeeper sons offered in the draft, he ranked in the top 25 per cent for his 400-day weight and carcase weight estimated breeding values with a figure of +102 and +79, respectively.
The 20-month-old bull also placed in the top 30pc for his 600-day weight with a figure of +130.
The second-top-price bull, Fernhill U119, was purchased by Pulitano Pastoral, Mansfield, Vic, for $13,000.
Also by Goalkeeper and out of a Rennylea N479 daughter, the 21-month-old bull recorded a 200-day weight figure of +62, placing him in the top 10pc.
He also ranked in the top 15pc for his 400-day figure of +109 and top 20pc for his 600-day value of +135, while being in the top 5pc for scrotal size with a figure of +4.7.
The pastoral company also purchased Fernhill U94 for $9000.
The volume buyer was The Poplars, Tumut, who purchased four bulls to average $6375.
Overall, 26 of 44 bulls sold to a top price of $15,500 for an average of $8096.
Fernhill Angus stud principal Rowley Bennett said it had been a challenging year, and a lot of cows around the district sold because of drought conditions.
Mr Bennett said the stud would be taking a different approach with the next line of bulls to be offered with the plan to raise the bar in terms of the quality of bulls offered.
"Even though we were happy with the bulls that we presented, I think there are many important things when you are breeding bulls," he said.
"We've focused on temperament, structural soundness and fertility, but the temperament is an important thing we try to ensure we get that right.
"I think the buyers are extremely discerning with their purchases, buying bulls with an eye for quality."
The sale was conducted by Corcoran and Parker, Wodonga, Vic, while AuctionsPlus provided the online interface.
