Consistent demand at Eastern Plains Angus as stud records solid average
The annual Eastern Plains Angus bull sale started strong and maintained the pace right throughout, with the stud recording a full clearance at its on-property sale near Guyra on Wednesday, August 6.
The 66 bulls averaged $13,212 and sold to a top of $34,000.
Return buyer Una Denham, Tingha, secured the top-priced bull, Eastern Plains Urinca U159, by Alpine Real Deal R163 and from Eastern Plains Bertha P182.
Eastern Plains had used the bull as a yearling over stud cows. He recorded high growth traits for 200-, 400- and 600-day weights at +62, +103, and +136, respectively, along with carcase weight at +80 and eye muscle area of +11.9.
Ms Denham also bought the second top-priced lot, Eastern Plains Universal U38, for $30,000.
The Knowla So Right S48 son, from Eastern Plains Miss Eda Q151, had been used over commercial cows as a yearling.
He measured +3.8 for calving ease with +60, +101 and +138 for 200-, 400-, and 600-day growth.
Farm manager Justin Cruickshank said the bulls would be used in the commercial operation.
They favoured both bulls for their overall type and had inspected them at the stud's recent open day.
Their operation ran 700 breeders and had used Eastern Plains bulls for the last two years, Mr Cruickshank said.
He considered both bulls to be a bargain and had been prepared to pay more.
Tayho Pty Ltd, Ben Lomond, outlaid $24,000 for the opening lot, Eastern Plains Upbeat U163.
Also by Alpine Real Deal, the bull had been used over stud heifers and measured +5.3 calving ease, -3.7 gestation length and +2.1 birthweight.
The same operators also paid $22,000 for Eastern Plains Uloom U154, another Real Deal son.
He also displayed calving ease traits, including +3 birthweight, -4.3 gestation length and +4.8 calving ease.
Online bidder Blenheim Grazing, Glenmorgan, Qld, paid $20,000 for Eastern Plains Udolf U121, by Murdeduke Quarterback Q011.
The operation also selected the $18,000 Eastern Plains Unreal U2, also by Quarterback.
Sam White, Bald Blair, Guyra, selected the Knowla So Right son, Eastern Plains Upgraded U49, for $18,000. He measured +14.8 EMA and +83 carcase weight with -6.7 gestation length and +3.5 birthweight.
AM McGregor and Son, Myall Creek Station, was a prominent volume buyer, selecting nine bulls to average $11,333.
EC Graham and Co, Sunnyside, Armidale, took home a draft of four to average $16,000, while Perrottet Pastoral Co, Dirranbandi, Qld, averaged $11,500, also for four.
Barnaby Joyce, Rutherglen, Woolbrook, selected four bulls to average $7500.
Revilo Pastoral Company, Mitchell, Qld, and Allied Beef Cattle, Toowoomba, Qld, each bought three bulls, averaging $14,000 and $8667, respectively.
Other notable buyers included Anthony Beck, Coonamble, who bought two bulls at $14,000 each, and Glenowen Partnership, Armidale, who paid $18,000 for Eastern Plains Umagarlee U145.
Andrew White, Eastern Plains, said it was a fantastic result with a great average.
"It was strong all the way through," he said.
There was a large number of return clients, although some online bidders from western Queensland were new to the stud.
"There's a fair bit of confidence in the beef market and it should get stronger and stronger, I think," he said.
"They're forecasting a good spring for us with above-average rain, so we should be in a good run for the next year."
Elders conducted the sale with guest auctioneer Paul Dooley, Tamworth. AuctionsPlus provided the online interface.
