Landfall Mainland Q494 sons highlight improved Fernhill Angus Bull Sale result
Competition was strong for the bulls offered by the Bennett family, Fernhill Angus, at their 10th annual on-property sale held at Warrah, in Corowa, on the afternoon of Wednesday, March 25.
In all, 39 bulls were offered by Fernhill, with 36 finding new homes on the day for a clearance rate of 92 per cent. The bulls that sold averaged $8250 for a $297,000 gross, while a top price of $17,500 was achieved.
Stud principal, Rowley Bennett, said this year's result was a "major step up" from the drought-impacted 2025 outcome, at which 26 of the 44 bulls offered were sold for a 59pc clearance, to average $8096 and gross $210,496, topping at $15,550.
Mr Bennett said that for this year's sale, the "bulls looked great".
"They presented very well, and the better bulls drew a lot of bidding attention," he said.
"We were fortunate to receive rain recently, which created a much better environment for the bulls to get in condition. They looked great on the day.
It was lot 13, Fernhill V154, which secured the $17,500 top bid on the day. This Landfall Mainland Q494 son out of a homegrown Fernhill dam was secured by Kelvin and Michelle Read, Cold Spring Pastoral, Dederang, north-east Victoria.
Mr Reade said his interest in Fernhill V154 was due to him being well "well put together" with "the figures to back him up".
"We run a pure Angus herd and sell 10-month-old weaners through the special sales at Blarney at the start of each year. For this reason, we need to get the weight into the calves early to get them away at this age," Mr Read said.
"It was V154's 400 and 600-day weights in combination with the bull's temperament that made him fit for purpose in Cold Spring Pastoral's production objective."
V154 ranked in the top five per cent for his 400 and 600-day weights with figures of +119 and +157, respectively.
Mr Read said V154 will join two previously purchased Fernhill bulls in their operation.
"We've been dealing with the Bennetts for a fair few years. It's their customer service, which stands above all else to me. They're always honest. You know that what you buy is what you'll get. Their bulls aren't fed up on grain for the sale and don't lose weight when we bring them home; they keep on improving."
Mr Bennett said Landfall Mainland Q494 had performed well for them over the years.
"The trio of top-selling bulls on the day were all by this sire. Along with the top-price getter, other sons of his were purchased by Pulitano Pastoral, Mansfield, Vic, for $15,500, and Michael Roach, Milawah, Vic, for $15,000.
"Sons of Dunoon Recharge R102 were also prevalent in the catalogue and met with high demand.
"We submit virtually all of our females into artificial insemination programs to get AI-bred sires each year. Recharge and Mainland have been utilised heavily in these programs.
"These results go to show that good breeding does shine through. There's no doubt about that."
Mr Bennett said the majority of the bidding support on the day came from those situated within a 100km radius of their property.
"John McPhee, Ascot Meats, was our volume buyer on the day. He bought three bulls. He has bought a few each year and has been an excellent repeat buyer. We found it very pleasing that the majority of those in attendance were repeat buyers. It's reassuring to know that our cattle are well accepted."
The sale was conducted by Corcoran and Parker, Wodonga, Vic.
