Average leaps up with strong bidding support across Kidman Angus catalogue

A significant jump in the average price, a wide spread of buyers and full clearance have been some of the highlights of the Kidman Angus sale.

The sale, held at the Dulcidene complex at Dubbo on Friday, August 15, had the average jump nearly $3600 on 2024, while the top price stayed the same.

All up, all 52 bulls sold for a top of $28,000 and an average $14,788.

The top price came at lot 2, Kidman Bodyguard U57, a Millah Murrah Paratropper P15 son out of Kidman Abigail S72.

The July-2023 drop weighed 1000 kilograms, with a scrotal circumference of 45.5 centimetres and six TransTasman Angus Cattle Evaluation figures in the top 10 per cent of the breed.

This included a 200-day weight of +71 in the top 2pc, a 400-day weight of +120, in the top 3pc, and a 600-day weight of +148, as well as scrotal circumference of +4.6 and carcase weight of +92, in the top 5pc.

He also had an Angus index of $269, a domestic index of $223, a grain index of $342 and a grass index of $243 - all in the top 7pc for the breed.

Bodyguard is heading to King Island, Tasmania, after he was bought by repeat buyers the Poulsen family, Lynwood, Tas, via AuctionsPlus.

Mark Paulsen said they first saw the bull in the catalogue, having bought some bulls from Kidman before for their own stud breeding program, providing bulls to use within their operation.

He said the bull appealed with his "soundness, structure and growth breeding values", as well as his foot score.

The second-highest priced bull was the $24,000 Kidman Domino U21, which came halfway through the catalogue.

The 954kg bull was by Knowla So Right S48 and from Kidman Perfection J21, and was bought by RM and CM Nash, Goorianawa.

Domino had a birthweight figure of +1.7, was +34 for docility, +2.0 for rib and +3.6 for P8, as well as a +4.3 for intramuscular fat, all within the top 20pc.

The Nashes also bought another bull, also by Knowla So Right S48, in Kidman Bounty U59 at $22,000.

Bounty's TACE figures included, rib of +4.4 and P8 of +3.9 - both in the top 5pc - and a mature body condition of +0.48, in the top 10pc.

Ron Nash said he considered them "nearly identical bulls", both suitable for use with heifers.

"They're very quiet, excellent in intramuscular fat and good growth bulls," he said.

The pair will be joined with cows to breed replacement heifers.

Also at $22,000 was Kidman Murdock U58, sired by Kidman Identify R6 and out of Kidman X-Clusive Q113, which was bought by MR and AC Ireland, Walcha, via phone bidding, alongside another bull at $16,000.

Another highlight in the sale was yearling bull Kidman Colt V79, also making $22,000, bought via AuctionsPlus by Texas Angus, Warialda.

The 630kg, July 2024-drop had a scrotal circumference of 36cm, and was sired by Alpine Ronald R232, out of Kidman Abigail S2.

Colt's gestation length and days to calving were both in the top 5pc at -9.0 and -7.8. He also ranked in the top 20pc on the Angus, grain and grass indexes at $243, $320 and $231.

Buying in volume were Mena Pastoral, Mena, Mount Tenandra, with three to $18,000, averaging $16,667; Coronga Downs, Dubbo, picked up three to $16,000, averaging $15,333; and Best Partnership, Baroone, selected three to $16,000, averaging $14,000.

Wall and Neindorf, Karinga, Cumborah, bought three bulls to $16,000, averaging $12,000; Radford Farming, Trangie, bought three to $16,000, averaging $13,000; and WP and LJ Ridge, Rosewood, took home three to $14,000, averaging $13,333.

Kidman Angus principal Randall Carlow, Gilgandra, said he was thrilled with the result.

"We sold bulls to our neighbours and we sold bulls to Tasmania and different parts of NSW," he said.

"We were proud of the bulls and the cow herd that stands behind them."

Mr Carlow said it was increasingly important to offer a wide range of bulls.

"I think you've got to breed a few types of bulls," he said.

"People want it all these days - you've got to have bulls with moderate birth weights and good growth, along with really good phenotype, good temperament and sound feet.

"We feel as though there's great support here today that identified a lot of bulls throughout the catalogue."

He said a standout of the auction was people looking for heifer bulls, with those identified in the catalogue and selling well, but he said growth and power were also highly sought.

Nutrien stud stock's John Settree said the sale had an "outstanding" draft of bulls that showed the investment, time and passion of Randall and Kylie Carlow.

"It's good that people recognised that to put into their own program," he said.

"There was a lot of shape, lot of carcase, good data and all structurally sound, and it was appreciated by cattleman."

The sale was conducted by Nutrien with Paul Dooley, Tamworth, the guest auctioneer and AuctionsPlus providing the online interface.