'Explosive' growth traits drive bidders at Hazeldean Tamworth bull sale
On a wet and windy day, buyers filled a historic woolshed and defied low cow herds and a tough season to smash last year's top price at the Hazeldean Bull sale at Tamworth on Wednesday, August 12.
The crowd gathered at Bective Station saw 100 per cent clearance with all 54 bulls sold under the hammer to a top price of $35,000, averaging $10,964.
The top price result was well up on last year's sale which had a top of $20,000 twice, averaging $13,492.
Despite low cow numbers and tough season, local buyers were from New England North West were influential, along with buyers from the Central West.
The top-priced lot Hazeldean V1132, was a 914 kilogram, August 2024-drop sired by Alpine Real Deal R163 and out of female Hazeldean S235.
He was described as a "very impressive, thick type" with an extensive bank of estimated breeding value (EBV) data with five traits in the top 5pc of the Trans Tasman Angus Cattle Evaluation (TACE), seven in the top 10pc and four in the top 30pc.
The bull's milk EBV of +28 is a top 5 per cent EBV, as were the 200, 400 and 600-day growth EBVs with +68, +121 and +164 respectively.
Its intramuscular fat area (IMF) was in the top 10pc at +4.7.
Top priced buyers, Thomas and James O'Brien, Krawarree Pastoral Co, Braidwood, said they were impressed with the bull's "explosive" growth and IMF traits.
"He's got that explosive 200-day and 400-day growth that we like and he's well-balanced and structurally correct," Thomas said.
James said the bull would improve their IMF traits even further.
"We want to continue improving our IMF traits and this bull will do that," he said.
"He's a good, big, thick bull over the top."
The second top-priced bull at $20,000 was Hazeldean V462, taken home by repeat buyers, the Cadzow family, Hillgrove.
The Hazeldean Renegade R265son was out of Hazeldean T1115 and tipped the scales at 904 kilograms.
It had four EBVs in the top 5pc including 600-day growth, with +159 and warcase weight at +91.
He was also used extensively in the Hazeldean program.
Hazeldean's Ed Bradley said he was pleased with the draft of bulls presented, but the top-priced bull was a standout.
"Bigger, heavier, high-growth bulls that are actually structurally correct are hard to find," he said.
With a full clearance, Mr Bradley said it was a very good result, given the season locally.
"We're really happy with the results overall, and we had bulls that met all markets today," he said.
Another notable bull was Hazeldean V154, sold for $19,000 to A and A Stanco, Cobbadah, through Hart Agencies.
They also loaded another three bulls onto the truck including Hazeldean V1024 and Hazeldean V1008 for $18,000, along with another bull at $14,000.
Moreduval Pty Ltd secured six bulls, through Davidson & Cameron Gunnedah, to a top of $12,000 and average of $9666.
TP and JE Manning bought three bulls via Nutrien Boultons to a top of $14,000 and average of $13,333.
The selling agents were Nutrien Ag Solutions Tamworth and Nutrien Boultons Walcha, with Matt Campion as the auctioneer. StockLive provided the online interface.
