Network sons highly sought after in full clearance at KO Angus bull sale
Sons of Hart Network were in hot demand at the 30th KO Angus bull sale held on-property at Gundagai on Friday, August 21.
The stud recorded its highest ever average sale price at $15,512, with all 87 bulls sold to a top price of $60,000.
Bulls were sold to buyers from NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania.
The top-priced bull was KO Network V198, which sold for $60,000 to Wolfcon Pty Ltd, Goulburn.
The 23-month-old bull, sired by Hart Network and from KO Moongarra S106, weighed 816 kilograms and had a scrotal circumference of 46 centimetres.
He had estimated breeding values (EBVs) in the top seven per cent for 200-day growth with a figure of +65 and top 8pc for birthweight (BWT) with a figure of +1.1.
The bull was also in the top 10pc for eye muscle area (EMA), and top 12pc for intramuscular fat (IMF) with figures of +11.4 and +4.6 respectively.
On the heavy grain index the bull ranked in the top 1pc with a value of $398, and in the top 2pc on the Angus, domestic and heavy grass indexes with values of $289, $240 and $276 respectively.
Buyer Scott Byrne, Wolfcon Pty Ltd, Goulburn, said there wasn't "much not to like about him".
"Easy calving, nice early growth and I love the look of him," he said.
"He's got that really straight back and smooth shoulders. I had three picked out and he was the most visually appealing - he was my number one choice."
Mr Byrne runs a small Angus herd on 486 hectares and said the bull was the first step in transforming his genetics.
"I want to get into a really high quality focus and he'll be the nucleus of our breeding going forward," he said.
Mr Byrne said he will also be looking to pick up some females at the KO dispersal sale at the end of the year, and aimed to get to a herd of about 60 high quality breeders, targeting the weaner market.
"I like the idea of doing things as best as I can," he said.
KO Angus sale
Pictures by Alexandra Bernard
The second top-priced bull was KO Network V275 which sold for $36,000 to Bullseye Angus, Molesworth, Vic.
The 22-month-old 762kg-bull, by Hart Network and from KO Dream L46, ranked in the top 11pc for EMA with a figure of +11.2.
He also ranked in the top 13pc for 400-day growth with a figure of +110 and top 15pc for 200-day growth at +61.
A volume buyers of the sale was Western District Pastoral Co, Lucindale, SA, who purchased 15 bulls to a top of $17,000 and for an average of $12,133.
Buyer Tom Taheny, Western District Pastoral Co., said they were chasing a mix of heifer and cow bulls.
"We were chasing average IMF and EMA and above average growth," he said.
Mr Taheny said the run a large scale commercial operation, targeting the feeder market and were transitioning from Herefords to Angus.
"We're really impressed with data and the ET program here [at KO] - they're great quality," he said.
Long-term repeat buyer Somerton Pastoral, Lake Bathurst, purchased five bulls to a top of $24,000 and for an average of $18,000.
James Reynolds, Somerton Pastoral, said they had been buying from KO for about 24 years and were chasing Network sons this year.
"Some new blood, good shape and a balance of IMF and EMA," he said.
The bulls will go into their commercial operation, where the join 530 Angus cows, targeting the feedlot market.
Somerton's draft included the fourth top-priced bull and first lot of the sale, KO Network V191, which sold for $24,000 and Mr Reynolds said was selected for his balance and shape.
The 23-month-old 840kg-bull ranked in the top 1pc for EMA with a figure of +17.8, top 8pc for 400-day growth at +113 and top 10pc for retail beef yield (RBY) with a figure of +1.2.
KO Angus manager Tim Lord said the sale was "beyond expectations" with bulls sold to stud, commercial and AI operations in four states.
"The Networks were the premium product in the sale and we knew that coming in," he said.
"Network is one of the highest indexing bulls in the breed."
KO Angus stud principal Theo Onisforou said it was the best sale for them, with the highest average ever achieved.
"We were told these were the best line-up of bulls we've had and I agree with them," he said.
The sale was conducted by Elders with Ryan Bajada as the auctioneer. The sale was interfaced with AuctionsPlus.
