'Phenomenally presented': repeat buyers chase high growth at Hillview Angus
Local appetite led the way at the Hillview Angus on-property sale at Bungendore on Wednesday, August 5, where repeat buyers made the most of conditions.
It was a short drive over the hill for top buyer, Gidleigh Pastoral, Bugendore, which secured Hillview V23 for the $14,000 top price.
An artificially-inseminated son of American Quaker Hill Black Bandolier from Hillview Ruby R12, the September 2024-drop bull ranked in the top 1 per cent of the breed for carcase weight, with an estimated breeding value (EBV) of +122.
Refining bloodlines and chasing explosive growth were key items on the shopping list for Gidleigh Pastoral manager Shannon Davey, Bungendore, who quickly bid his way to the top.
"We needed another heifer bull to join our mob, so we couldn't let him go," he said.
"We want our steers to grow as quickly as possible, and our heifers to grow too."
The bull also had EBVs in the top 2pc of the breed for 200-, 400- and 600-day-growth, at +71, +126, and +161, respectively, and recorded a retail beef yield also in the top 2pc of the breed at +1.8.
Mr Davey said buying locally ensured resilience in the variable conditions in the South East, and would help refine existing bloodlines using Hillview and Bongongo bulls with Te Mania, Clunie Range, and Milwillah heifers.
"We've bred some good heifers over the last three or four years, and now it's time to put a good bull over them," he said.
"These bulls don't go backwards at all, and that's what I'm looking for - less maintenance is better."
Mr Davey bought three bulls for an average $8666.
Rogara Station, Quialigo, purchased the second-top-priced bull, Hillview V47 for $10,000, along with Hillview Quigley Q18 V35 for $9000.
The former, by Coonamble Samson S54 and from Hillview Q51, recorded a birthweight in the top 20pc with a +2.3 EBV, while the latter ranked in the top 9pc for calving ease at +7.9.
Paling Yards Trading, Taralga, secured three bulls to average $6666, all sired by Hillview Quigley Q18.
At the fall of the hammer, 18 of 20 bulls sold to a $14,000 top and $7556 average.
Hillview Angus Bull Sale 2026 gallery
Pictures by Eliza Spencer.
Seven of 15 females presented were bought by South Coast Livestock on behalf of the Tett family, Cobargo, for $4000. The remaining bulls were sold shortly after the sale.
Darmody Rayner Bungendore's Jacob Rayner said the bulls were already making waves across the district, defined by high growth rates.
"We're getting exceptional results, especially in growth, getting to feedlot weights and opportunities," he said.
"It was a strong sale, the cattle were phenomenally presented."
Hillview stud principal Danny Hill said the season had helped bring even the young 2025-drop bulls to par with their two-year-old siblings.
"We had a couple of paddocks of ryegrass they were in first, then oats and wheat to finish them off on, they were running in the wheat paddocks until Wednesday," he said.
"The bulls were very even, with good heifer bulls and bulls with fair figures."
Mr Hill told the packed marquee he was happy with the condition of the cattle presented on the day, with comments from buyers new and old supporting the breeding objectives of the stud.
The sale was conducted by Nutrien and Darmody Rayner with Nutrien Stud Stock's Peter Godbolt the auctioneer.
