Full clearance for Clunie Range Angus as buyers dig deep for structure and carcase

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A full stand of repeat buyers saw the Clunie Range Angus bull sale, Wallangra, clear 100 per cent of its bulls with buyers chasing structure and carcase traits to lift heir cow herds on Friday, August 7.

All139 bulls sold to a top of $55,000 and an average of $10,770.

The top-priced bull was Clunie Range Valery V242, which spurred heated bidding, eventually bought by Urban Angus, Wallarobba.

The February 2024-drop, 1066 kilogram bull was sired by Dunoon Recharge R102 and out of NBHN318 Clunie Range Prue N318.

With a scrotal circumference of 43 centimetres, he was described as having "excellent depth and high growth" with estimated breeding values for 200 and 400-day growth of +62 and +116 respectively and a 600-day growth figure of +158, which is in the top 3pc.

The bull is also in the top 5pc for carcase weight with an EBV of +93.

The Urban family established their stud in 2005, Urban Angus, in the Hunter Valley and today have 200 herd book registered stud cows.

Principal Matt Urban said the bull stood out for his structural traits and thickness.

"He was a big, strong, powerful bull with a correct structure and a bit of extra frame which will complement our herd," Mr Urban.

"We were looking for a sire to put across our second calvers and he'll do the job perfectly."

The second topped-price bull, Clunie Range Vegas V220, sold for $26,000 to Hartley Grazing, Mitchell, Qld.

Sired by Rennylea Q531 and out of Clunie Range Vanessa N173, the February 2024-drop bull tipped the scales at 1060 kilograms, with a scrotal circumference of 38cm.

He was noted for "outstanding growth and carcase" with an EBV for carcase weight in top 6pc with +91.

He also displayed strong maternal traits, with am EBV for mature weight (Mwt) of +157 and +0.58 for mature cow body condition (MBC), both in the top 3pc for the breed.

Krystle Hartley, Hartley Grazing, said her family had been buying bulls from Clunie Range for 10 years and this year were looking for a specific type of bull with good structure and growth traits..

"He was a big bull and we liked his confirmation, he was long and his weight gains were very pleasing," she said.

"We were looking for bulls to put with some cows that we've selected to improve the quality of our home kept bulls so we were looking for very specific traits this year.

"We have a large breeder herd and we produce feeder steers, so we need Brahmans for the hardiness and we also need heavy weights for the feeder steers, which we need the Angus for."

They also secured another two bulls for $16,000 and $8000.

Three bulls followed that price tag closely behind with Clunie Range Vixen V46,Clunie Range Voss V2099 and Clunie Range Vibe Out V170 all selling at $24,000.

Clunie Range Vera Wang V1759 will take a trip to Biloela, Qld, after being secured by Consolidated Pastoral Company for $22,000.

The first bull of the day, Clunie Range Very Kind V237, was secured by the Bell Brothers, Taroom, Qld, for $20,000.

Repeat buyers for many years Drummond Slopes Cattle Company, Alpha, Qld, took eight bulls across the border to a top of $18,000 twice and average of $13,000.

CJ and HJ Phillips, Taroom, Qld, bought four bulls to a top of $12,000, averaging $8250.

Five bulls will take a truck to south-west Victoria, to Clanvale Farms, for a top of $12,000 and averaged $9200.

While a lot of bulls sold to interstate bidders, local volume buyers also had a strong presence in the stands.

Bristol Farming, Croppa Creek, secured five bulls to $14,000 and an average $9800.

From North Star,the Ben Coulton Family Trust put six bulls on the truck, to a top of $14,000 and average of $10,833.

Further south, Wilano Angus, Dunedoo, bought four bulls, to a top of $24,000, averaging $12,750.

Last year's sale saw greener pastures and top of $300,000 for Clunie Range Untouchable U441.

While these year may not have seen a three figure bull, Brett Clunie, Clunie Angus, said the results were satisfying given the season and decline of cow herds.

"Almost all the bulls went to repeat buyers and this year was tougher for us but we did know it was coming because as the stud sales have gone on, you could see a downward trend so it's a buyers market," he said.

"Every single person I spoke to was very happy with being able to get a good quality bull for not much money - the guys who shop in the middle were able to buy a good, quality bull at the top end.

"People were really pleased with the quality that we offered and bulls are now spread out from North Queensland to south-west Victoria.

"We're very proud of the bulls we put forward and we keep getting feedback on the volume and capacity of the cattle are and repeat buyers commented all day long that they are seeing those Clunie Range trait in the progeny on the ground and that's leading to strong brand awareness.."

The selling agents were Elders, with Michael Smith and Mark Scholes the auctioneers. AuctionsPlus provided the online interface.