Strong clearance and average paid by repeat buyers at Farrer bull sale

Two bulls have sold for the equal top price at Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School's annual bull sale on Wednesday, June 25, with bidders on site and on the box proving to be equally effective.

A total of 37 of the 38 bulls catalogued sold to an equal top of $15,500, and averaged $8202. Buyers online secured 15 lots.

Repeat buyers Mark and Lee Latham, Goodwood, Nea, bought Farrer U015 for their commercial herd.

"We bought our first bull here in 2002 or 2003 and they've done well for us," Mrs Latham said.

U015 was sired by the United States sire, 19405246 Square B True North 8052, out of a Farrer female, sired by GAR Sure Fire.

Tipping the scales at 742 kilograms, the June 2023-drop bull had an estimated breeding value (EBV) of +2.9 for birthweight (BW) and an eye muscle area EBV of +11.1, well above the breed average EMA of +6.6.

Mrs Latham said the bull's good genetic data was a key selection criteria.

Its 200-day growth EBV was +5, 400-day +87 and 600-day growth EBV was +109. Its milk EBV was +20, and its maternal cow weight (MCW) was +91.

Also paying $15,500 was Jackie O'Brien, Middle Crossing, Bingara, for Farrer U099, a grandson of Baldridge Command C036, out of an Esslemont Lotto L3 female.

The September 2023-drop calf weighed 718kg and had strong EBVs in 600-day growth with +140, above the breed average of +121, and a carcase weight EBV of +85, ahead of the breed average of +69. Its EMA was +10.9, also ahead of the breed average of +6.6. It had a BW EBV of +5.4, a 200-day EBV of +57 and a 400-day growth of +104.

Ms O'Brien also paid $12,000 for Farrer U079, a son of 19502726 Pine View Mugol G241.

The second top price bull was Farrer U016, bought by Neville Duddy, The Downs, Glen Innes. It was sired by 20019500 Tehama Testament out of a Farrer cow sired by Montana Elevation.

It had an EBV of +3.4 for BW, while its 200-day growth was +57, 400-day +97 and 600-day +122. Its milk EBV was +18, and its intramuscular fat (IMF) EBV was +3.2.

WM Lord and Sons, Dobroyd, Premer, paid $13,500 for Farrer U036, a grandson of Baldridge Command C036 out of a GAR Sure Fire female.

Kickerbell West Ag, Pine Ridge, bought two bulls at $10,500 each, while Richard Endacott, Mudgee, paid $12,000 for a bull.

Farrer tops at $15,500 twice

There was a near total clearance at Farrer with 37 of 38 bulls selling.

The Morse family, Coolah, bought five bulls online, with two at an equal top of $7000, for an overall average of $6700.

Another volume buyer was Carol Lord, Oval Hills, Quirindi, with four bulls to a top of $11,000, averaging $8750.

Ms Lord's top-priced choice was Farrer U014, another Square B True North son out of a Knowla Mandela M113 female. It had a BW EBV of +2, a milk EBV of +24 and an IMF EBV of +2.1, while its 200-day growth EBV was +53, 400-day +96, and 600-day 115.

Talolans, Glencoe, Gunnedah bought three bulls for $6500 twice, averaging $6000.

Farrer's stud coordinator, Niaomi Evans, was delighted with the sale result.

"It was a really strong result and there were some good rewards for the work the students put into the sale," Ms Evans said.

The auction was held under the Helmsman process with Elders as the selling agents. AuctionsPlus provided the online interface.