Clay Gully's annual Simmental bull sale sees a lift in top price and average
It was repeat clientele that underpinned a solid clearance at Clay Gully's 11th annual Simmental bull sale at CQLX, Gracemere, on Monday, August 25.
The sale included bulls from the Laycock family's Clay Gully, Biarra Valley, and Brisbane Valley studs, as well as the Hampson family's Springfield and the Cochrane family's Kendall Park.
Of the 90 bulls offered by the five vendors, 82 were sold for a clearance rate of 91 per cent, a sale gross of $726,000, and an average of $8854.
In 2024, bulls topped at $16,000, and all 84 bulls offered sold for an $8119 average.
Biarra Valley Simmentals sold 35 of 36 bulls to average $10,685, Clay Gully Simmentals sold 18 of 21 bulls to average $8611, Kendall Park sold all nine bulls to average $7111, Brisbane Valley sold 10 of 13 bulls to average $7000, Springfield Simmentals sold 10 of 11 bulls to average $6300.
It was returning clients Jason and Maria Lloyd, Beeblee Pastoral Co, Nebo, who outlaid the top $32,000 bid via phone to secure lot 34, Biarra Valley Ultra, offered by Gareth and Emily Laycock, Biarra Valley Simmentals, Esk.
The Lloyds also operate two studs, Beeblee Brangus and MJ Park Brahmans, in conjunction with their commercial operation.
Ms Lloyd said they saw his sale video online and knew they had to secure him.
"We purchased him because we thought he was a correct, soft, easy-doing looking bull, and our plans for him are he's going to go with our commercial operation," Ms Lloyd said.
"We've actually got some Charolais cross cows that we were hoping to put him with, to use for commercial duties.
"We've also got the choice to maybe join him over some Brahman stud cows as well, for a Simbrah cross."
"We saw him online with videos and we liked what we saw, and decided we'll have a crack at him, and very lucky to end up with him."
A son of Brisbane Valley Supreme and out of Biarra Valley Q161, the 21-month-old entered the ring at 860 kilograms, had an eye muscle area of 135 square centimetres, and measured 41 cm for scrotal circumference.
The herd bull boasted an intramuscular fat score of 5.0 pc, rib and P8 fat measurements of 11mm and 10mm, respectively.
Earlier in the sale, two registered Simmental bulls sold for equal-second top price of $30,000.
Barana Pastoral, paid $30,000 to secure lot 16, Clay Gully U Beauty, offered by Rob and Viv Laycock, Clay Gully Simmentals, Esk.
Sired by Lavarta Last Man Standing, the polled bull tipped the scales at 866kg and had a scrotal measurement of 41.5cm.
At 24 months of age, the homozygous polled sire-prospect had an EMA of 134 sq cm, IMF of 4.8pc, and rib and P8 fat depths of 8mm and 7mm, respectively.
The Finger family at Hillview Cattle Co, Clermont, also paid $30,000 for lot 30, Biarra Valley University.
A homozygous polled son of Jarravale Quantum, the 22-month-old sire weighed 950 kg, had an EMA of 144 sq cm, scrotal circumference of 40 cm, and an IMF score of 5 pc.
Booroondarra Pastoral, Moura, were the top volume buyers, securing five bulls to a top of $10,000 and an average of $7000, while Forrester Grazing Company, Forrester, Alpha, purchased four bulls for an average price of $7250.
Selling agents: GDL and Elders, simulcast on StockLive.
