Repeat buyers chase muscle expression and volume at Gates Performance Genetics
A year of positives, including the prospect of higher beef prices, inspired new and repeat clients to buy up at the Gates Performance Genetics Angus bull sale at Armidale on July 29.
With a sale top price of $24,000, down on the 2024 sale result, 42 of 46 bulls averaged $9595.
The buyers of the top-priced bull were Gary and Liz Dalton, Kremgold, Tyalgum, who were buying through APL Tenterfield as agents.
The bull, Gates U234, is an 868-kilogram son of Renneylea R642, with two estimated breeding values (EBV) traits in the top 10 per cent of the breed and a further nine in the top 30pc.
Out of a Gates L46 Nomad N15 female, the September-2023 drop was described as a heifer bull option, which was thick and deep.
It had a calving ease direct of +8.3 and a scrotal circumference (SS) of +4.1, both in the top 10pc.
Its birthweight (BW) EBV was +5.4, milk +16 and mature cow weight (MCW) of +121.
Its eye muscle area (EMA) was +8.5, intramuscular fat (IMF) +2.6 and its 200-day growth +53, 400-day +100 and 600-day, +130.
APL Guyra's Blake O'Reilly said the bull would go into the Dalton's commercial herd that turned off weaners and heavier grass-fed cattle.
Buyer interest from the Dorrigo district was strong, with several buyers registered to bid.
The buyers of the second top-priced bull were B and C Hillier, Hysant Pty Ltd, Ebor, one of the regular sellers at Dorrigo's series of Autumn weaner sales.
Another son of Rennylea R642, Gates U306, was out of a Rennylea North N489 female and weighed 744kg.
It had a 600-day growth of +145, MCW of +139, both traits in the top 10pc of the breed, milk of +23 and BW of +2.4.
V and W Reardon, Springmount, Warialda, paid $16,000 for Gates U286, an August-2023 son of Gates S37, out of a Gates J33 Garth L43 female.
The 788kg bull had a +24 milk , +8.2 calving ease direct and -8.0 days to calving, all in the top 10pc. The Reardons also paid $13,000 for a son of Te Mania Quaich Q1619.
The sale's volume buyer was Bowra Pastoral Company, Willow Glen, Guyra, with two bulls to a top of $7000 and two bulls at $6000.
Paul and Michael Corcoran, Corcoran Pastoral Company, Araluen, Bingara, bought two bulls for $700 and $6000, while Green Range, Walcha, paid $8000 and $6000 for their selections.
Adam Cabot, Doonba Pastoral Company, Barraba, a repeat buyer, bought two bulls at $12,000 and $8000.
The Carolan family's Nalorac Pastoral, Armidale, bought two bulls at $16,000 for Gates U328, by JRGV Revolution R177 out of a Rennylea North N489 female, and another bull for $6000.
PJN Ag Services, Bucca, bought two bulls for $9000 and $6000, while The Ponds Farming Co, Eldon Park, Dorrigo, bought two bulls for $12,000 and $8000.
Speaking at the sale's opening, co-principal Sam Gates said the New England, after a tough spring in 2024, was enjoying a year of positives and the prospect of a fantastic spring.
He said the series of New England weaner sales had set the pace with stronger prices than a year earlier. He said Gates-blood steers and heifers had earned their place in the front row and were awarded ribbons.
The selling agents were Australian Property and Livestock Group, Guyra and Armidale.
The auctioneer was Blake O'Reilly, while AuctionsPlus provided the interface.
