The birthweight and EMA data that drove a record price at Farrer Angus sale
A stud record price was achieved at the 24th annual Angus bull sale at Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School, Tamworth, with the top price bull taking mere minutes to reach double digits in the helmsman auction.
During the sale, on Wednesday, June 24, there was full clearance for the 27 bulls offered, selling to a top of $29,500 and average of $11,259. Last year's top price was $15,500.
The sale grossed $304,000, which Angus stud manager Niaomi Evans said was an exceptional result given the difficult season in the lead up to the sale.
While much of the year has been dry with a big sell-off of females in the region, some late rainfall and greener pastures boosted optimism for sale day.
"I was a little bit concerned just with the number of cows that have been sold during autumn, and luckily we've had some good rainfall recently and made it a bit more positive," she said.
"I was hoping for 100 per cent clearance, but wasn't totally expecting, and to have that average and that top price, we're super stoked and really, really grateful for all the support that we've had from the purchasers on the day and the under bidders.
"The genetics were decided by a year 11 class three years ago, so it's a legacy coming through from people who are out in industry, and it's a really good reward for the effort."
The top priced bull, Farrer V76, made $29,500 and was popular with buyers from the start for its genetics and estimated breeding values (EBV).
The bull had an estimated breeding value of +2.9 for birthweight (BW) and an eye muscle area (EMA) figure of +12.8, in the top 5 per cent for the breed.
The 200-day, 400-day and 600-day growth figures were +66, +117 and +155 with a milk EBV of +22, and maternal cow weight (MCW) of +129.
For buyers David and Trish Lindeman, Wollomombinear Armidale, it was the bull's birthweight and eye muscle data that caught their eye.
"The fact that he's light birthweight certainly was a help because, like everyone else, we've got a lot of heifers coming through, so we need to keep a few heifer bulls but not extremely lightweight," Mr Lindeman said.
"[The data] on the marbling, all that feeds into the feeder steer market, which is what we do."
Supporting the next generation
The second highest-priced bull, Farrer V13, was sold for $25,000 to Nemingha Angus breeder NIgel Smith.
It had EBVs of +2.7 for BW and +9.6 for EMA. Its 200-day growth EBV was +59, 400-day +102 and 600-day growth EBV was +141. The milk EBV was +27, in the top 5pc.
Mr Smith has bought bulls from the sale previously and said the data of Farrer V13 was impressive.
"I mean, you look at the figures and his structure's pretty good too, and he's quiet, so that's good," he said.
Mr Smith was also aformer teacher at Farrer and he said it was important to support the students and the next generation of breeders.
"I know the staff and the kids ... I know they (bulls) are well bred. The kids are always good, and you 'd like to support them as well," he said.
Volume buyers Matthew and Mel Wyrzykowski, Fitzgeralds Valley, bought four bulls to $12,000, including Farrer V88 for $11,000, and an average $10,000.
The auction was held under the helmsman process with Elders as the selling agents. AuctionsPlus provided the online interface.
