Demand for Bendemeer Wagyu bulls stays local with repeat buyers to the fore

A Wagyu bull has hit the top price at the Longford Station Wagyu Premium Female online auction, where repeat buyers provided the foundation.

Seven of the nine bulls offered sold at auction to a top of $12,000, averaging $8142, while only two of the 26 females catalogued sold at auction, averaging $6000.

Stud principal Arthur Dew said the sale went better than expected for the bull catalogue, while sales for females during the auction were limited.

However, Mr Dew said most of the females sold after the auction.

"All of our pregnancy-tested in-calf females sold at the end of the day," he said.

Vicki Hammond, Yarrowitch, paid $12,000 for Longford U0711, a well-credentialed son of a proven Yasufuku Jr son, from a dam sired by Mr Awesome.

U0711 had an average carcase data marble score (MS) of 9.39, and an estimated breeding value (EBV) for MS of +3.3.

Two bulls sold for $10,000 each. The McQueen family, Milmerran, Queensland, and Tom Armitage, Manilla, were the buyers.

Mr Armitage also paid $7500 for another Yasufuku Jr son.

4H Livestock, Mudgee, bought one of the equal top price unjoined females at $6000, while G and S Rural, Tallarook, Victoria, also bought a female at $6000.

Another of the repeat buyers was Kia Ora, Bendemeer, with one bull during the auction and two more of the passed-in bulls post the sale.

The selling agents were Elders Studstock and the online interface was provided by AuctionsPlus.