Repeat, new bidders make the day for Bald Blair Angus as Armidale buyer doubles up
A wintry blast across the Northern Tablelands failed to dampen buyer resolve at the annual Bald Blair Angus on-property sale at Guyra on Tuesday, August 4, where bulls topped at $24,000 to match the stud's 2025 high.
Under the hammer, 65 of the 87 catalogued bulls sold at auction for an average of $8830, with a further three bulls selling post-auction immediately as negotiations continued.
The $24,000 sale-topper, Bald Blair V282, was secured by the David Grills Partnership, Aberfoyle, Armidale - the same buyer who bought the $24,000 top lot at the Glenavon Angus sale nearby just 24 hours earlier.
The Grills family operates a commercial Angus herd, using select females to breed their own replacements and sires.
Calved almost exactly 24 months before sale day, the 826kg V282 was sired by Bald Blair Stirling S86, a son of Millah Murrah Paratrooper P15, and out of home-bred dam Bald Blair Q326, by Bald Blair Nathan.
Suitable for joining to first-calf heifers, V282 brought strong growth and carcase figures, posting a 200-day estimated breeding value (EBV) of +62 and a 600-day EBV of +143 (both in the top 20 per cent of the breed).
His milk EBV (+29) and carcase weight (CWT) EBV (+99) both ranked in the breed's top 10pc.
Southern Queensland beef consultant Kevin Graham, attending his first Bald Blair sale alongside his wife Jill, secured the second top-priced bull, Bald Blair Vulcan V192, for North Queensland clients AJM Pastoral, Burleigh Station, Richmond.
Sired by Myers Fair-N-Square M39 out of BB S330, Vulcan V192 was highlighted as one of the standout M39 sons in the catalogue.
He posted growth figures in the top 1pc of the breed for 200-day (+75) and 400-day (+129), top 2pc for 600-day (+164), and top 10pc for CWT (+88). Bald Blair Angus is retaining a 50 per cent semen share in the young sire.
AJM Pastoral also added a second bull for $16,000.
Acting for Sylvester Pastoral Company Pty Ltd, Arcadia Station, Injune, Qld, Mr Graham also bought four bulls to a top of $12,000 three times, averaging $11,500.
Local New England and Tablelands producers provided solid competition throughout the draft:
GE and J Weber, Walcha, bought three bulls to $10,000, averaging $8000, while Wirrimbi Pastoral Company, Hernani, bought three bulls to $12,000, averaging $10,600.
Lean Pastoral, Ebor, bought three bulls to $8000 twice, averaging $7333, while Clevedon Investments P/L, Armidale, bought three bulls to $10,000, averaging $7333.
In his opening address, stud principal Sam White outlined Bald Blair's ongoing program, including upcoming research collaborations with the scientific community on methane emissions.
Mr White also reaffirmed the stud's supply relationship with the nearby Rangers Valley feedlot, despite recent ownership and feeding protocol changes at the facility.
"Our program remains focused on continuous genetic improvement," Mr White said.
"These partnerships will continue well into the future to ensure the ongoing development of genetics within this herd."
Mr White paid tribute to auctioneer Paul Dooley, who was officiating at his 33rd consecutive Bald Blair sale.
Selling agents were Elders Armidale and Guyra, with online bidding hosted by AuctionsPlus.
