Buyers from five states chase unique Eaglehawk Angus genetics
Commercially-relevant bulls with unique pedigrees had buyer competition from five states at the Eaglehawk Angus bull sale at Glen Innes on August 6.
Stud principals Ian and Sally Vivers sold all 92 bulls for an average of $15,348, topping at $40,000.
There were plenty of repeat clients, as well as some new buyers, with bulls heading to mostly commercial producers in NSW, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania. About a third of the catalogue headed north to Queensland.
The top bull, Eaglehawk Rob Roy V204, was bought by Mike and Anita Hindle, Hindle Cattle Company, Dalveen, Qld.
He was a 24-month-old son of Musgrave Rob Roy and stud donor Eaglehawk Sarah R008. V204 had EBVs of +64, +116 and +142 for 200-, 400- and 600-day weight, +8.4 for EMA and +75 for carcase weight.
Mr Hindle said the sale topper's structure was his biggest asset.
The Hindles run a herd of 150 commercial breeders, targeting the feeder market.
"The bull has eye appeal and structural soundness, and we were looking for a bull that was going to deliver fertility as well as meat production into our herd," Mr Hindle said.
"He had a really good set of numbers - the main ones being EMA and IMF (+2.8), as well as growth and milk (=18) - and with the combination of those numbers and what the bull looked like, he was a really good package.
"The Eaglehawk bulls are quite different in the market. They're appealing in their structure - how they're built and how they get around."
Curve bender Eaglehawk Jet V582 sold for $32,500 to Hugh Pursehouse, Breeza.
The 23-month-old bull, by Montana Jet 1271 from Eaglehawk Moongarra Q081, balanced calving ease with performance, with EBVs of -5.5 for calving ease daughters, -5.7 for gestation length and +3.4 for birthweight, then growth EBVs of +58 for 200-day, +99 for 400-day and +123 for 600-day.
Sawpit Creek Angus, Kyogle, paid $30,000 for Eaglehawk Tenacious V999, by Sitz Resilient 10208 and from Eaglehawk Moongarra M232.
Three bulls - Eaglehawk Attractive V297, Eaglehawk Coalition V491 and Eaglehawk Rob Roy V359 - sold for $26,000, while Eaglehawk Coalition V502 made $25,000.
The sale had multiple volume buyers, with Aaron and Tabitha Ham, Niangala, taking home six bulls for an average of $13,666, and Tom and Belle Bucknell, Inverell, buying six that averaged $12,333.
Drummond Slope Cattle Company, Alpha, Qld, bought five for an average of $19,500, and Hampshire Station, Merriwa, bought five for an average of $17,200.
Eaglehawk's strong client base across the eastern states helped achieve the successful sale.
"A lot of bulls went to Qld, and the biggest growth areas were Vic and SA, and we had a repeat customer from Tasmania." Mr Vivers said.
"The North Coast of NSW is always really good and we had some go to the Hunter, so we were able to dodge the drought hardships in the New England."
Eaglehawk's work to develop relationships with seedstock producers in the United States has led to a unique range of genetics available to the stud.
"We've made 15 trips to the US and in the past 10 years we've had exclusives on bulls, and we now own three bulls in partnership with US studs," Mr Vivers said.
"Having those different genetic packages, that aren't available from other Australian studs, attracts a wider group of buyers.
"This year's line-up of bulls was probably the most consistent we've had.
"They're thick-topped, with good muscle, good bone - visually, they're very powerful cattle.
"They're very commercially focused, as we make our selections on how well they handle tough times, and we end up with soft, easy-doing cattle that can get in calf in tough times."
The sale was conducted by APL Guyra/Armidale and Kellco Rural Agencies, with AuctionsPlus providing the online interface.
