Bulls to three states, major volume buyers active at Te Mania's northern sale

Heifer bulls and carcase traits were in demand at Te Mania's annual northern sale in Walgett on August 12, with several volume buyers operating and a three-way top price.

Te Mania, based in Hexham, Vic, sold 121 of 134 bulls at the fall of the hammer to average $10,371 with an equal top of $20,000.

A further six sold immediately afterwards.

Jess Morton, Stratton Grazing, Roma, Qld, who was also the volume buyer at last year's sale, selected a draft of 15 bulls to average $12,200.

The operation's top pick was one of the equal top-priced bulls, Te Mania Uleksy U190, for $20,000.

By Te Mania Neon N1387 and from Te Mania Mittagong S1158, the July-2023 drop, 840kg, ranked in the top one per cent for intramuscular fat at +7.9.

Their other purchases included the $16,000 Te Mania Uscko U1540, by Te Mania Rocco R795, with top 10pc gestation length, calving ease daughters, and IMF.

Stratton also paid $16,000 for Te Mania Umar U407, by Moogenilla Quinella, also with top 10pc gestation length, birthweight and scrotal, along with top 1pc for milk, IMF and docility.

Ms Morton, whose family acquired Stratton last year in a sale that included Te Mania cows, said she was chasing IMF and eye muscle area traits.

"This year we were looking again for the steer market," she said.

"We also needed five heifer bulls, and we were looking for fertility in our heifers.

"We've had an excellent season, we've had some really good rain in the last few weeks for our oats crop so we've got our weaner steers on that.

"We've got plenty of feed, we've actually just bought another 300 cows PTIC [pregnancy-tested-in-calf] that we bought bulls for today."

Another $20,000 bull was Te Mania User U1561, which sold to return buyers Keicha Pty Ltd at Dubbo.

The August-2023 drop, 750kg, was top 10pc for 600-day growth, EMA at +11.2, and all his indexes.

Sally McGlashan, Keicha, said the Te Mania Peru P1164 son was the complete package.

"I liked his bloodline, I liked his EBVs, I liked his pedigree, I loved his video - and I really loved him when I got here today," she said.

"We turn off weaner steers for the Dubbo store sale most months and breed self-replacing, mostly Angus female herd of 600 cows."

Ms McGlashan also secured one of the passed in lots, Te Mania Utilize U1808, for $6000.

The remaining $20,000 bull sold to online bidder Calvary Pastoral Company, Matcham.

Te Mania Upendo U997, 910kg at 24 months, was by Te Mania Mojo M886 and from Te Mania Barundah Q533.

The bull's EBVs included top 1pc calving ease daughters and top 10pc calving ease direct and carcase weight.

The same buyer also secured the $8000 Te Mania Ustachius, which ranked in the top 1pc for gestation length, and the $10,000 Te Mania Urneste U1350, a bull in the top 10pc for all indexes, gestation length, and IMF.

Another major volume buyer was Brenda Station, Goodooga, which selected a draft of 13 averaging $10,769.

The operation paid $18,000 for Te Mania Umbra U445, by Te Mania Rocky R822 and from Te Mania Barunah R113.

The July-2023 drop, 945kg, ranked in the top 10pc for gestation length, calving ease direct, 600-day weight, milk, and carcase weight.

Long-term return buyers Michael and Annie O'Brien, O'Brien Brigalows, Come by Chance, selected eight bulls, including some of the earlier passed-in lots, to average $12,000.

Their top bull at $18,000 was Te Mania Uthira U1782, by Te Mania Kirkby K138. The bull's traits included top 10pc calving ease daughters and IMF.

Mr O'Brien said they were chasing different bloodlines and types within the draft.

Other notable buyers included Mackas Pastoral, Salt Ash, who paid $18,000 for Te Mania Ursom U1427, by Te Mania Rambo R624. The bull was top 1pc IMF at +6.8.

Return buyer Angus Dixon, Coonamble, bought four bulls averaging $9250, while Aldingham Station, Winton, Qld, selected five averaging $10,4000.

Warby Cattle Co, Goondiwindi, Qld, averaged $13,333 for a draft of six, while online bidder Girraween Properties, Bonshaw, also bought six to average $11,667.

Another online bidder, Ardroy Securities Pty Ltd, Murrindindi Station, Yea, Vic, bought four bulls averaging $9500.

Hamish McFarlane, Te Mania, said it was a solid result with plenty of return clients.

He said the prices were achievable for commercial buyers.

"There seemed to be a lot of interest in heifer bulls and the catalogue had roughly 60pc of the bulls suited more to heifers," he said.

"I felt pretty happy with what we catalogued and how they presented - I think it was one of our more even drafts we've had.

"We breed and produce about 1000 bulls so we've got to meet the market and make sure we've got the bulls there for the people that want them."

Nutrien Clemson Hiscox and Co, Walgett, conducted the sale with Paul Dooley, Tamworth, the guest auctioneer.

AuctionsPlus provided the online interface.