Going for growth: repeat buyers bring bulls across the border at Bungendore
Small and mighty, Burbong Angus drew in repeat buyers at their spring bull sale at Bungendore on Monday, September 1.
The first day of spring drew in return buyers of about a decade, securing consistent performance for their commercial herds.
Stud principal Ian Darmody said large frames and low birth weights helped the 'exceptional bulls' sell well after a challenging season.
"These fellas like to come and see our bulls that have a bit of growth in them, these two-year-old bulls have a heap of growth, a heap of bone," he said.
"They were in the perfect condition for joining, I think these are probably the best group of bulls I've sold."
Top-priced bull, ADR U88, sold for $11,500 to David Larcombe, Environa, Queanbeyan. The August-2023 drophad an estimated breeding value of +5.9 for intramuscular fat (IMF) with a scrotal circumference of 44 centimetres.
Farm manager David Lang said the bull was the ideal mix of muscle and length, as a good all-around bull.
"He'll be paddock service, with a special mob of cows," Mr Lang said.
"We have a lot of size in most of our cows, so we don't need to go too big."
Son of Merridale Riggs R131, the second bull purchased by Environa was July-2023 drop ADR U48, purchased for $9500.
He was described as an 'impressive and heavy-boned bull', with a frame score of +8 and an IMF of +5.3.
"The second bull [ADR U48] was more of a heifer-type bull, he'll go with cows this year, and I'll use him over heifers next year, as we're already joining heifers at the moment," Mr Lang said.
"They're good growthy bulls, we try to grow out a certain amount of steers to hook on grassfed ... we just keep improving, we've been using Ian's bulls for at least eight or nine years now."
Volume buyer Ian Morgan Livestock, Quirindi, secured the first five bulls on auction, averaging $9500 and 912kg, to be used in a breeding program.
Colin and Michelle Briggs, Cudgewa, purchased ADR U34 and ADR U104, weighing 850kg average with a frame score of +6.8. The pair averaged $7500, and will grow the Briggs' commercial herd in the Murray Valley.
"They were very smooth bulls, big testicles, and good medium frame animals," Mr Darmody said.
At the fall of the hammer, nine of fifteen bulls averaged $9055.
The sale was facilitated by Nutrien Livestock Goulburn, with selling agent Charlie Croker.
