Eaglehawk clears all for a strong average as 'meat machine' draws top price

There was consistent demand throughout the catalogue at the annual Eaglehawk Angus on-property sale at Kingsland on August 7, with the stud recording a full clearance and an increased average on last year's result.

The stud sold all 97 bulls to a $40,000 top to average $12,845.

The top-priced bull, Eaglehawk Carbon U698, attracted strong interest, with bidding starting at $16,000 and rising quickly.

He was knocked down to first-time buyers, Glen and Loyola McKinlay, Callandoon Angus, Springsure, Qld.

The September-2023 drop, by MC Cumber Carbon 972 and from Eaglehawk Pandora R185, weighed 834 kilograms and scanned 13 millimetres and 8mm over the rump and rib, respectively, with 122 square centimetres eye muscle area and 7.1 per cent intramuscular fat.

His estimated breeding values included -4.9 days to calving, -3.7 gestation length and +3.9 birthweight, along with top 20pc for 200-day growth at +61.

Mr McKinlay said the bull was a different type to their usual picks, but the pair were looking for a moderate-framed sire with true longevity that would handle their country.

"We were keen to buy a Carbon, it's a new genetic for us," he said.

"This is a bit more of a brick-type bull - we wanted meat across our heifers.

"We've got a fair bit of Ultrablack heifers and he was a real meat machine.

"He looks like one of those that's got good constitution and will bounce back."

They targeted the store and feeder market and also bred their own bulls.

The pair also selected Eaglehawk Equalizer U845, by Eaglehawk Equalizer R031, for $12,000, and another heifer bull, Eaglehawk Coalition U236, by U-2 Coalition 206C, for $16,000.

"They were more Queensland bulls, they had good length and good balance," Mr McKinlay said.

The second top-priced bull at $30,000 was another Carbon son in Eaglehawk Carbon U765.

The September-2023 drop, 849kg, scanned 7.5pc IMF with top 20pc for 200- and 600-day growth.

He sold to Bexa Pty Ltd. The same operation also paid $26,000 for another Carbon son, Eaglehawk Carbon U217.

The August-2023 drop, 853kg, ranked in the top 20pc for 200-, 400-, and 600-day growth, and carcase weight.

First-time buyers Sam and Erica Ulrick, Springfield, Guyra, selected three bulls averaging $19,000.

Their top pick was the $27,000 Eaglehawk Heavyweight U835.

By Eaglehawk Heavyweight R100 and from Eaglehawk Moon R159, the October-2023 drop, 794kg, ranked in the top 10pc for rump and rib fat.

Mr Ulrick said they were looking to introduce some new genetics and he favoured U835's type.

"The length and the depth of him - he carried beef all the way through the body," he said.

"We've got some bigger cows too, so we're just trying to get some size in our calves to get as much weaner weight as we can."

They ran 500 Angus breeders, with about 200 of those going to Wagyu and the remaining back to Angus. Mr Ulrick said they also bred their own bulls.

Other notable sales included Eaglehawk Alcatraz U364, by HF Alcatraz 60F, which sold for $26,000 to RI Reid Trust, Guyra.

Another heifer bull, Eaglehawk Coalition U311, a U-2 Coalition son, sold for $24,000 to Downes Family Trust, Bell, Qld.

Grace Halsted and Zac Ede bought a draft of eight bulls averaging $10,375 for Hampshire Station, Merriwa, a long-term client for the stud.

Mr Ede said they were selecting for structural soundness.

"There's 1500 cows at Hampshire, it's very steep country, so just good travelling types with good feet and legs," he said.

The operation sold feeder steers at 15 to 18 months old, he said.

Taking home a draft of seven averaging $7500 was the Turner family, Bernleigh, Inverell, while the Parry Trust bought four bulls averaging $16,500.

George Spring, Pomany Angus, Widden, also bought four bulls, paying to $18,000 to average $11,750.

Mr Spring said he had been buying from Eaglehawk for several years and was chasing heifer bulls for his commercial operation.

Ryanno Pty Ltd, Dangersleigh, averaged $7500 for a draft of four.

Addressing the crowd after the sale, Ian Vivers, Eaglehawk, said he was "a bit speechless" after such a strong result.

He thanked new and returning clients for their support.

APL Guyra Armidale and KellCo Rural Agencies conducted the sale with Blake O'Reilly the auctioneer.

StockLive provided the online interface.