Local support and heifer bulls in demand at Outwest Angus' annual sale
Buyers were seeking calving ease and longevity at the annual Outwest Angus on-property bull sale in Quambone on August 13, which drew good local and online support.
The sale reached a top of $18,000 for Outwest Rem Uncertain U125, an August-2023 drop by Outwest KS Remada R18 and from Outwest Nav Joy Q56.
The 876-kilogram bull displayed estimated breeding values in the top one per cent of the breed for calving ease daughters, the top 2pc for calving ease direct, and the top 3pc for gestation length.
It also ranked in the top end for growth, with top 3pc and 4pc for 200-, 400- and 600-day growth, along with top 2pc for carcase weight and top 9pc for intramuscular fat.
Buyer Rob Wythes, Wythes Pastoral Company, Narromine, was a long-term return client.
He said the bull ticked a lot of boxes, as he was after sires with calving ease traits, along with growth and carcase.
"I liked his growth, and the look of him of course," he said.
"He had well balanced EBVs.
"We're west of Narromine and run about 300 cows, we mostly sell feeder steers through Dubbo saleyards."
Mr Wythes also purchased Outwest SR U351, by the US sire Sitz Resilient 10208, for $9000.
"I'm very pleased with the bulls we've bought in the past," he said.
The second top-priced bull at $12,000 was Outwest Par Umpire U113, by Millah Murrah Paratrooper P1 5TH , which sold online to Ray Crompton, Casino.
Mr Crompton also paid $11,000 for Outwest GK U332, by Baldridge SR Goalkeeper.
Volume buyers included JH and JP O'Brien, Gulargambone, who selected a draft of six to average $6333.
Kemp Partnership, Willala, bought seven, all at $6000, while Badgery Pastoral bought four averaging $7000.
Ewen McLeish, Outwest Angus, said there was strong support from local buyers, who had done well selling steers through weaner sales and direct to feedlots.
"We've given people the opportunity to buy bulls at a reasonable price," he said.
"There was certainly a lot of people after bulls with good heifer figures - particularly calving ease, not just birthweight.
"There was a few people chasing high dollar indexes. The Paratroopers sold well, the Goalkeepers sold well, the Baldridge Versatile, and there was a fair bit of competition on the Sitz Resilient bulls."
Mr McLeish said the top-priced bull's curvebending figures, along with high IMF, helped drive competition.
All up, 51 of 65 lots averaged $7274. Another bull sold after the sale.
Elders conducted the sale with Brian Kennedy the auctioneer. AuctionsPlus provided the interface.
