Variation in stud sale results, heifer bulls in demand: The Land's Last Lot

Results have been mixed as the spring studstuck sales get underway, although heifer bulls and those with carcase data remain in demand.

Agents were upbeat a fortnight ago, but noted there had been marked variability between sales rather than results following an overall trend.

Paul Dooley, Tamworth, was the auctioneer at the majority of the early run of sales.

He said he had expected the state of the cattle market and positive season to bring about increased averages, but individual sales had been affected by various circumstances and delivered a range of results.

"There's reasons why different sales have been pretty good and why some others have been a bit tougher," he said.

"There's no doubt we've missed a few buyers and big orders from the south... but we've also sold a lot of bulls into Queensland the last couple of days too."

He said heifer bulls remained a hot commodity.

"But it's been probably hard for a lot of stud people to find a bull that suits them this year - trying to find an outcross pedigree," he said.

"There probably haven't been as many top bulls about so far."

Nutrien Stud Stock's John Settree, Dubbo, said while there were gaps from buyers in southern Australia, many Queenslanders were travelling further to buy at NSW sales.

There had been strong support from Dalby, Wandoan, and Roma, he noted.

He agreed heifer bulls were selling well, and said carcase traits and intramuscular fat were also highly sought after.

The pair expected the upcoming fortnight to deliver similar results, with variability between sales.

"If their client reach is into Queensland, they'll be ok," Mr Settree said.

"If their clients are just in a 200-kilometre radius then they'll probably struggle.

"It depends on the scale and size of their own operation."

There was strong northern support at Tycolah Poll Herefords, with Brook Pastoral Company of Birdsville taking a draft of 17.

Merawah Poll Herefords, Boggabilla, had a good result, selling 47 of 52 bulls to $32,000, averaging $11,659.

The sale's major volume buyer was Mount Riddock Station in Central Australia, who selected 14 bulls.

Mountain Valley, Coolatai, also had plenty of northern support, recording a full clearance across both breeds, with 40 Poll Herefords selling to $30,000, averaging $12,350, and 41 Angus reaching $24,000 for an average of $13,975.

Bowen Poll Herefords and Peakes Angus, Barraba, lacked some of its main volume buyers, but the sale still reached $50,000 with a full clearance of 107 Angus to average $11,551.

In the Herefords, 38 of 42 sold to $26,000, to average $9236. There were also several Queensland orders.

Booragul Angus, Piallaway, delivered a solid result, with 76 bulls averaging $14,763 - an increase on last year.

DSK Angus recorded a full clearance of 40 bulls to average $11,500.

Bridgewater Angus' top bull is also headed to Queensland, as is the top-priced lot from Inglebrae Farms.

Rayleigh Poll Hereford's of Narrabri sold to $20,000, as did Urban Angus, Wallarobba.

Dubbo-based Polldale Shorthorns set a new on-property record with a $50,000 sale, while Kidman Poll Herefords also reached $50,000.