Heifer bulls create good demand with full clearance at Crawford Angus sale
Heifer bulls were in demand at the Crawford Angus 10th on-property bull sale at Tumorrama on Friday, September 11.
All 45 Angus bulls were sold to a top price of $22,000 and for an average of $13,400 with a strong cattle market injecting confidence into the sale ring.
The top-priced bull was Crawford W55, which sold for $22,000 to Jeremiah Creek Cattle Co, Tumorrama.
The 18-month-old bull, sired by Landfall Quartz T1458 and from Crawford Lotus T60, weighed 660 kilograms and had a scrotal circumference of 38 centimetres.
He ranked in the top 2 per cent for rump fat with a figure of +5.0 and top 3pc for rib fat with a figure of +3.6.
The bull also ranked in the top 8pc for days to calving (DTC) with a figure of -7.6.
Jeremiah Creek Cattle Co purchased four bulls for an average of $16,000.
Crawford Angus stud principal Luke Graham said the top-priced bull was his pick of the catalogue.
"His phenotype, length of body, he's clean front ended and has good feet under him," he said.
"Just a good all-round bull."
Mr Graham said he had good calving ease, along with positive fats and good intramuscular fat figures.
The second top-priced bull was Crawford W85, which sold for $20,000 to Jock and Sascha Mason, Julong Partnership, Tumorrama.
The 18-month-old bull, by Landfall Signature S1755 and from Crawford Miss Black T56, ranked in the top 6pc for mature cow body condition (MBC) and docility with figures of +0.52 and +37 respectively.
He weighed 646kg and had a scrotal circumference of 39cm.
Mr Mason said the bull was their top pick with balanced figures.
The Masons run 500 breeders and target the feeder market for their steers, predominantly with Crawford bloodlines.
Mr Mason said they had been buying from Crawford for several years with the genetics putting growth into their herd.
"We turned off our steers at 465kg average at 11 months old this year, the first time that has ever happened," he said.
The Masons also purchased Crawford W39 for $15,000.
The 18-month-old bull, by Basin Jameson 1076 and from Crawford Q49, was 650kg and had figures all in the top 5pc for 200- and 400-day growth and carcase weight with figures of +67, +118 and +93 respectively.
He also ranked within the top 10pc for intramuscular fat (IMF) and MBC with figures of +5.3 and +0.49.
Volume buyers of the sale included Braeburn Pastoral Co, Brungle, which bought six bulls to a top of $16,000 and for an average of $13,000.
AJ, WC and S Onus, Adjungbilly, purchased four bulls to a top of $14,000, to average $9500.
Mr Graham said he was pleased with the sale result, with the biggest crowd they had ever had.
He said there were a lot of new buyers, as well as support from return clients, with producers predominantly chasing heifer bulls.
The sale was conducted by AWN Wilks McKean and Elders Emms Mooney, with Joe Wilks as auctioneer. AuctionsPlus provided the online interface.
