Yearling heifer bulls met by strong competition at Highrent Angus bull sale
Heifer bulls with carcase were at the top of purchasers' agendas at the Highrent Angus Bull sale, Friday, August 22, held on-property at Highrent, Yarrowitch, near Walcha.
Two bulls reached the equal top price of $19,000, with an overall average of $9618 and a clearance of 34 of 42 bulls sold, with an additional bull sold after the sale.
The first bull to sell for the top money was Highrent Comstock V89, who was purchased by Malcolm Ross, Daisy Hill, Wollomombi.
The 25-month-old Woodhill Comstock son weighed 504 kilograms with a scrotal measurement of 40 centimetres.
The young bull ranked in the top one per cent for his $indexes, as well as his eye muscle area estimated breeding value of +16.
Both his 200-day weight and milk values of +63 and +24, respectively, ranked in the top 10pc, while his retail beef yield figure of +1.3 ranked in the top 8pc, as well as his carcase weight and days to calving figures of +85 and -6.8, respectively, placing in the top 12pc.
The high percentile figures followed through to his calving ease daughters figure of +6.4, ranking in the top 19pc and his scrotal size value of +3.2, being in the top 17pc, while his intramuscular fat figure of +4.2, placing in the 13pc.
Another bull by a United States sire, Baldridge Gibson, in Highrent Gibson V140, also reached the top money of $19,000, which was purchased by Scott Elliot, Calivil, Vic.
Weighing 544kg with a 37-centimetre scrotal measurement, the 24-month-old bull was another heifer option in the draft.
Recording a birthweight value of +2.3 and a 200-day weight figure of +60, he ranked in the top 18pc for both traits, while ranking in the top 16pc for his rib and rump fat values of +1.8 and +2.1, respectively.
He continued the high ranking traits with an eye muscle area value of +12.1, placing in the top 6pc.
Cobrabald Pastoral Company, Walcha, took home four bulls for a top of $16,000 and an average of $13,250, while several local purchasers secured two bulls each, including Ian McDonald, Banchory, Walcha, for an average of $9000, Ugumjil Pty Ltd, Yarrowitch, for an average of $6500 and Stony Creek Beef, Walcha, for $11,000.
Highrent Angus stud principal Jo Bacon said there was a mix of repeat and new purchasers throughout the catalogue.
"We thought there may be some competition on the heifer bulls, particularly the yearling, because people tend not to want to buy their cow bulls as yearlings," she said.
"From us people do want to buy heifer bulls, 75pc of the catalogue was suitable for heifers."
She said the accuracy of the data on the bulls helped sell heifer bulls.
The sale was conducted by Nutrien Ag Solutions Boultons, Walcha, while AuctionsPlus provided the online platform.
