JB Angus clears bulls to three different studs in annual auction

Lot 16A proved the headline act at the JB Angus and Baynes Angus online bull sale, held via AuctionsPlus last week.

Conducted in a helmsman format, the joint sale between JB Angus, Stewarts Range, and Baynes Angus, Keith, saw 16 of 22 bulls offered sold to a top of $15,000 and a sale average of $8062.

This compared favourably with last year's result, when 19 of 21 bulls sold to a top of $13,500 and averaged $7737.

Knocked down for the $15,000 sale high was Lot 16A, JB Badger V80, a May 2024-drop son sired by Baldridge Badger, and out of Coonamble Q105.

The bull was purchased by Coonamble Angus, Bremer Bay, Western Australia, run by the Davis family, in conjunction with Osprey Angus, South Coast, WA.

JB Angus stud principal Jock Hislop said the result was pleasing, particularly given three bulls were secured by fellow stud operations.

"We sold three bulls to studs out of the one sale, which was pretty amazing," Mr Hislop said.

"It's obviously very encouraging. If you're producing genetics that other studs want to use, that's some pretty good judges giving your program a tick of approval."

Mr Hislop sourced the Baldridge Badger genetics from the United States after seeing the sire on tour in 2023, describing him as a bull with strong muscle expression and phenotype.

"He's a sire we incorporated into the program after returning from the United States," he said.

"They're thick-topped, heavily muscled cattle.

"Angus isn't traditionally a heavily muscled breed, so we're trying to sneak a bit more muscle into them, which of course gives you better yield."

Mr Hislop said he placed emphasis on structure and phenotype first, using estimated breeding values as a supporting tool.

"The key word in EBV is estimated," he said.

"You've got to find the right bull structurally and temperament-wise first, then use the EBVs to assist."

JB Badger V80 presented with a balanced set of figures, including Calving Ease Direct of 1, Calving Ease Daughters of 2.2, gestation length of -2.9 and birthweight of 4.2.

He recorded 200, 400 and 600-day growth figures of 64, 113 and 134 respectively.

The $15,000 sale topper will be used over both stud and commercial heifers in Western Australia.

Buyer Craig Davis, Coonamble Angus, Bremer Bay, said it was his first purchase from JB Angus.

"We'll be selecting out a lot of heifers to use him over," Mr Davis said.

"We were really chasing the Badger genetics as much as anything.

"I was happy with his numbers, but we're not too numbers-focused.

"I just thought the bull had a really nice front on him."

Mr Hislop said there was a noticeable shift in buyer demand this year.

"There was a lot more interest in heifer bulls this year than the bigger, more powerful cow bulls," he said.

"Part of that might be the run of seasons we've had.

"There are certainly people rebuilding numbers and wanting heifer bulls."

The second top price of $14,000 was paid for a Tehama Testament son, purchased by Tom Margie, Messamurray, who bought two bulls total.

Volume buyer Michael Mattei, Naracoorte, secured three bulls to a top of $8500.

Simon and Staci Bayne, Baynes Angus, also sold two bulls at $8000 and $9000 as part of the sale.

Selling agent Josh Manser, PPHS, said it was a solid result overall and "it just goes to show he's on the right path."

"The big note to take out of it was that three bulls went to studs out of a field of only 22 bulls," he said.