Bulls sell to strong demand with a full clearance achieved at Dunoon Angus
The bids were travelling as fast as the wind flying through the sale shed at the Harbison family's Dunoon Angus sale, held on-property at Dunoon, near Holbrook, on August 29.
The chilling wind and rain didn't dampen buyers' spirits, with the stud achieving a full clearance of 121 bulls selling to a top of $30,000, for an average of $12,124, with bulls selling as far north as Queensland and as south as Tasmania.
A bull towards the back of the catalogue, Dunoon U1039, surpassed the rest to reach the top price. He was purchased by long-term clients of the stud, Peter and Joanne Boddy, Woodside, Vic.
The 24-month-old Lawson Rocky R4010 son was from an Ardrossan Equator A241 daughter, Dunoon Beeac K1383.
He ranked in the top 24 per cent of the breed for his 200-day weight estimated breeding value of +58, while being in the top 27pc for mature cow weight and days to calving figures of +9.5 and -5.8, respectively.
He also placed in the top +28pc for docility at +26 and in the top 30pc for retail beef yield at +0.7.
Purchaser Peter Boddy said he had been buying bulls for the family program for the last 27 years.
"I've never bought any Angus bulls anywhere else," he said.
"We like to buy the good ones because it makes a big difference to our cow herd.
"Good bulls breed good cows."
Mr Boddy said the operation runs 600 breeders and sells the steers early at seven months old, making the need for early growth traits.
"I have really good bulls we purchased before from the cowline -Dunoon Beeac K1383," he said.
"That cow line we've used for a long time, we've bought bulls that go back to a Z120 and have used that line a lot from that old cow.
"It's been a strong line that works for us."
There were two bulls that sold for the equal second top price of $26,000, the first being Dunoon U182, which was purchased by Verge Pastoral Company, Nagambie, Vic.
The other equal second top-priced bull Dunoon U1096, was purchased by Quilter Nominees, Narrandera.
Volume buyers active included Wantagong, Holbrook, who purchased nine bulls for a top of $21,000 to average $12,444, while Berembed Station, Narrandera, also took home nine bulls for a top of $12,000 to average $9333.
Camm Agriculture, Dalby, Qld, took home eight bulls for a top of $12,000 to average $8625, with seven bulls were knocked down to East Tintaldra, Holbrook, for an average of $12,571, and Blairgowrie Pastoral Company, Mendooran, took home six bulls for an average of $12,800.
Dunoon stud principal Jock Harbison said the result was really pleasing.
"We were proud of the bulls from go to whoa," he said.
"Especially with the season they had and how they got through, but that's what you need in cattle, survive the tough times and do well in the good ones."
The sale was conducted by Nutrien Ag Solutions Holbrook with Lincoln McKinlay, Linc'D Pty Ltd, Esk, Qld, as guest auctioneer.
The sale was interfaced by AuctionsPlus and StockLive.
