Interstate demand drives volume buys at Rennylea autumn bull sale
Bulls were sold as far north as Queensland and to every corner of the eastern seaboard during the annual Rennylea autumn bull sale at Culcairn on Tuesday, March 10.
Bulls sold across NSW, to Vic and Tas, west to SA and north to Qld and the NT, drawing in strong local support that defied seasonal conditions.
At the fall of the hammer, 132 of 134 bulls sold for an average $13,909, with the final two sold shortly after.
Prices eclipsed that of the same time last year, rising by $10,000 for the top-priced bull, Rennylea V1064.
The June 2024-drop bull by Rennylea R946 and from Rennylea R18 weighed 826kg, and ranked in the top 10 per cent of the breed for eye muscle area at +16.3, with an intramuscular fat reading of +4.8, and a scrotal circumference of 38cm. He was also used in the spring 2025 joining through embryo transfer.
The bull was bought by Bill Garnock, Boco Pastoral Company, Nimmitabel, for $36,000, and described by the vendor as a standout bull with excellent muscling and a strong topline.
Lake Bullenbalong Pastoral Co, Berridale, secured the second-top-priced bull, Rennylea V425, for $32,000.
By Rennylea Q213 and from Rennylea T1042, the July 2024-drop bull was described by the vendor as one to tick the boxes, and was ranked in the top 5pc of the breed for IMF and carcase weight at +5.7 and +9.4 EBV.
Hopewood Pastoral, Jugiong, bought Rennylea V915 for $28,000.
Volume buyers from multiple states made the most of the offerings, with Qld buyers Kristy and Mitch Hodgkinson taking home 13 bulls to Amaroo, Clermont, Qld, for an average price of $10,600.
"We breed Droughtmasters, and we wanted something to put over our maiden heifers, we've had good luck with Angus in the past," Ms Hodgkinson said.
Mr Hodgkinson said the flexibility of an Angus-cross helped secure their enterprise in Queenland's centre, across all seasons.
"It also opens us up to other markets, the feedlot market as well, as the store market. If things get dry, it's easier to reduce our herd in a hurry if we need to," he said.
"Clermont itself got flooded, but we didn't so much, it's been the best season we've had."
On the recommendation of agent Kevin Graham, Brisbane, Qld, the Hodgkinsons flew down to attend the sale as first-time buyers, and inspect the bulls for themselves.
"A drawcard for us was to have a look at the country down here too," Ms Hodgkinson said.
"There's a lot of farming country we didn't know was down here."
Fellow Queenslanders Sylvester Pastoral Co., Arcadia, secured six bulls to average just over $14,300, while South Australian operation Spinifex Pastoral bought Rennylea V118 and Rennylea V1087 each for $14,000.
Fellow volume buyer Don Costello, Costello Holdings, NT, secured five bulls to average $19,600, including Rennylea V363.
By Paringa Statesman S115 and from Rennylea T738, the July 2024-drop bull was in the top 10pc of the breed for EMA, rib and rump at +14.7, +3.1 and +4.3 estimated breeding values respectively. Calving ease and 400-day growth were also in the top 10pc at +8.0 and +115 EBV.
Stud co-principal Ruth Corrigan said she was pleased with the day's outcome, held after very welcome rain across the district.
"It's been tough seasonally in the south for two to three years and locally, our clients have been under the pump, so we were very pleased with the sale result," she said.
"Strong support for us from some local volume buyers and also some long-term clients who, like the Costellos, who bought five bulls, have bought bulls for a long time."
Ms Corrigan said preparations were already underway for the spring sale, with the commercially-run herd enjoying feed throughout the summer months and coming into autumn.
"We're really trying to breed bulls that have good early growth, lots of muscle, marbling and good structure," she said.
"We just keep focusing on the fundamentals."
The sale was conducted by Paull and Scollard Nutrien Ag Solutions, with Nutrien Stud Stock's Andrew Wishart and Peter Godbolt as auctioneers.
AuctionsPlus provided the online interface.
