Spring bull sale record set at Reiland for curve-bending future stud sire
An elite young sire with an exceptional data set a stud record top price at the annual spring sale at Reiland Angus on Friday, September 4.
The sale, at Killimicat Station, Tumut, drew buyers from NSW and Victoria including several new commercial clients, hitting a new high of $50,000.
A total of 75 bulls sold under the hammer from the 76 offered to average $13,746. The remaining bull was sold immediately after auction.
Repeat buyers Brad and Dave Probert, Spring Hill Angus, Woodlands, secured the top price bull at $50,000 and a second lot for $26,000.
Reiland Wes W926, an 18-month-old son of New Zealand sire Rissington Sovereign Q485, weighed 656 kilograms and boasted data comparable with any performance bull in the breed.
On Breedplan, he ranked in the top 3 per cent for calving ease, with a top 10pc 600-day weight estimated breeding value (EBV) of +126, combined with a birthweight of -0.1kg, and top 5pc eye muscle area at +12.7.
The bull excelled in marbling and posted top 1pc of the breed for intramuscular fat (IMF) at +6.7 while retaining strong muscle content.
Reiland Angus retained a 50pc semen and marketing share in the young sire.
Dave Probert said Spring Hill Angus had been focusing on phenotype and the young sire had the ideal data set, conformation and docility to complement the Spring Hill stud and commercial herd.
Spring Hill also paid $26,000 for Reiland V-Saloon V557, a 602kg son of Shacorrahdalu New Ground S374.
Long-time clients, Houston Pastoral, Burrowye, Vic, paid the second top price of $40,000 for Reiland V-Compass V539, a rising three-year-old son of Baldridge Compass C041.
The bull ranked top 1pc on the Angus index ($A) at $310, has a 600-day weight EBV of +149kg, a birth weight of +3.6kg and top 5pc carcase weight at +90kg.
Reiland Angus retained the right to collect semen in this sire.
Reiland co-principal Mark Lucas said the sale reflected the genetic values of the bulls catalogued.
He said buyers were chasing cattle with fertility, resilience, growth rate and carcase traits.
"Any animals at the higher level were recognised by the buyers and they were willing to bid to that value," Mr Lucas said.
"It's a tough gig breeding seedstock these days and I don't think we have ever bred a bull with those figures - very rarely do they go up to the level that bull has tested at with genomic testing."
Mr Lucas said buyer confidence was based on the seasonal prosperity and plans to retain heifers and maintain herd numbers.
Dougal Kelly, Wallah Pastoral, Rugby, outlaid $24,000 for Reiland Windellama W239, $18,000 for Reiland V New Ground V1762 and $12,000 for Reiland V Recharge V544, averaging $18,000.
Among the other volume buyers were Matthew Reynolds, Mount Hugel, Grahamstown, with two bulls to a top of $22,000; Proudford Agricultural, Narrawa, with three bulls to $18,000; Christine Hughes, Bannister Station, Goulburn, seven bulls to $14,000; Strathvale Pastoral, Tumut, two bulls to $23,000; South Tahara Park, Forest Hill, three bulls to $18,000; Robert Hartwig and Denise McMurtrie, Wagga Wagga, two bulls to $20,000; Marcus Clarke, Ournie, two bulls to $18,000; R and V Jacka, Oberne Creek, three bulls to $11,000, and Dick and Jenny Turnbull, Holbrook, two bulls to $19,000.
"It's always evident at Reiland there is a great past clientele who always come back but it was nice to see new buyers as well," auctioneer Brian Leslie said.
A highlight of the sale was the presentation of a 50-year membership of Angus Society of Australia to the Lucas family by Angus Australia chief executive officer Scott Wright.
Mr Wright said the award acknowledged the commitment and dedicated service to the breed by the family across three generations.
Reiland will also hold a spring online bull sale on October 10.
Selling agents were Elders and Nutrien Ag Solutions with Brian Leslie, DLS Shepparton, as the guest auctioneer and AuctionsPlus providing the online interface.
