Sons of Ardrossan Nectar Q67 attract top prices at Bannaby Angus

There was strong support from return buyers chasing high-growth bulls at Bannaby Angus, Taralga, on Friday, with progeny from one sire several of the top sellers.

At the fall of the hammer, 64 of 78 bulls were sold to a top of $22,000 and an average of $9830, with further bulls sold post sale.

The top-priced bull was Bannaby Nectar U258 which sold for $22,000 to Krawarree Pastoral, Braidwood.

The 23-month-old bull, sired by Ardrossan Nectar Q67 and out of Witherswood Wilcoola L0339, ranked in the top 10 per cent for 600-day weight with a figure of +145.

Nectar U258 also ranked in the top 10pc for gestation length at -7.9 along with mature cow weight and mature cow body composition with figures of +136 and +0.53 respectively.

Buyer Tom O'Brien, Krawarree, said the bull had "good growth and sound feet".

The bull also ranked in the top 10pc for rib and P8 fat with figures of +4.7 and +5.3, which Mr O'Brien said they liked to have in the positive, being in cold country at Braidwood.

James O'Brien, Krawarree, said they were repeat buyers, having purchased the top-priced bull last year, and returned this year to purchase different genetics.

He said the dam, Witherswood Wilcoola L0339, was particularly attractive to them.

"They've got to be structurally sound," he said.

The O'Briens also picked up a second bull, Bannaby Nectar U292, for $10,000.

Sired by Ardrossan Nectar Q67 and out of Ben Nevis Jean H215, the 23-month-old bull ranked in the top 10pc for calving ease with a figure of +8.8 and gestation length with a figure of -8.

The O'Briens run about 800 cows, along with 250 retained heifers, and sell progeny through Wagga Wagga.

Keith Kerridge, Bannaby, said the top-priced bull was out of a "great cow".

"The figures stand out - a very good carcase bull with structure," he said.

The second top-priced bull was Bannaby Nectar U274 which was purchased by Mt David Ag Trust, Mt David, for $20,000.

The 23-month-old bull was a flush brother to the top-priced bull and ranked in the top 10pc for mature cow height with a figure of +11.6.

Buyer Raymond Cann, Mt David, said the bull had food growth figures, which they were chasing along with good frame and solid bulls.

Mt David runs 1500 Angus breeders and target the weaner sales.

Volume buyers included Macarthur Onslow, Crookwell, who secured seven bulls to a top of $11,000 and for an average of $7000.

Sunset Ranch Pty Ltd, Bushgrove, Uralla, purchased five bulls for an average of $6000.

Mr Kerridge said it was a strong sale with buyers after quality and type, with the Nectar bulls selling well.

He said despite the tough seasonal conditions and some farmers having sold off cows, there was strong support from return buyers, along with some new faces.

The sale was conducted by Elders and Nutrien, with Nutrien studstock's Matt Campion and Tim Woodham sharing the rostrum with Ben Seaman, Elders.

AuctionsPlus provided the online interface.