Young Santa bulls top the buying at Santa Central sale at Clifton
Young classified bulls were in favour at the annual Santa Central Santa Gertrudis sale, outside Clifton, on September 15.
Along with a $54,000 top price, the sale culminated in a 94 per cent clearance rate at auction, and averaged $10,942.
Last year, 66 classified bulls sold to average $12,977 for the same clearance levels, and the top price was $65,000.
However, this year an extra 12 bulls were sold at auction compared to the previous year's result.
There was a noticeable buyer appreciation of a much younger catalogue offering as compared to previous sales.
At $54,000, the sale topper was the 17-month-old Glenn Oaks Woodley W186 (PS).
Catalogued and bred by Scott and Wendy Ferguson, Glenn Oaks stud, Nobby, the 799 kilogram son of Glenn Oaks Sterling S314 (PP) posted an eye muscle area of 138 square centimetres, and rib and rump fat measurements of 12 and 10mm respectively, and an intramuscular fat reading of 5.1 per cent.
Taking home the bull were Tom and Anna Dunlop, Munnabah stud, Coolah, NSW. Losing bidders were phone bidders, Len and Sue Bode, Percol Plains, McKinlay.
Commenting on his purchase, Tom Dunlop said they would use him lightly in his first year.
"We're thinking it'll be around 20 mature-aged daughters of 2020 Santa Central Sale graduate, the $126,000, Glenn Oaks Palo," he said. "We've purchased young bulls before and they've performed well for us. I see no difference with this impressive youngster."
Next best at $50,500 was Diamond H Bentley B254 (P). Offered by the Hatton family, Diamond H stud, Chinchilla the 33-month-old, 1240 kg son of Waco S224 (P) scanned an EMA of 148sq cm, and rib and rump fat measurements of 14 and 10mm respectively after recording an intramuscular fat reading of 6.1 per cent.
Securing the rights to the bull were Peter and Nikki Mahony, Gyranda stud, Theodore.
Regular sale supporters, the Masterson family, Wyandotte Grazing Company, Wyandotte Station, Greenvale, returned, taking six for an average $10,333.
Another of the repeat buyers, Sam and Heather Crowther and family, Harrow Grazing Company, Harrow, Injune were in attendance, securing four for an average of $11,500.
Eleven bulls went to another long-term supporter, the South Australian-based, Cowarie Pastoral Company, Birdsville for a $6455 average.
Brian Southern, St George signed off on four, ending with a $6000 average while John Rice, Prairie Vale, Torrens Creek also claimed four for a $6750 average.
Securing a line of eight was Tim Bowen, Lolworth, Morven. which averaged him $7000.
The Yulgilbar stud, Baryulgil, NSW, took the $40,000 Glenn Oaks Vigilant V222 (PP) (Diamond H Xav X316 (P), and at day's end had procured a pair for a $29,000 average.
Len and Sue Bode, Percol Plains, McKinlay took with them a pair for on average $22,750 including another of the sons of the former breed record holder, the $175,000 Glenn Oaks Sterling S314 (PP) for 37,500.
The bull was the 17-month-old, Glenn Oaks Witaker W76 (P).
Scott and Rebecca Dunlop, Dunlop stud, Proston outlaid $32,000 to secure a 19-month-old in the form of Diamond H Charlton C153 (PS) (Waco Floyd L1104 (P)).
The Tipperary stud, Firefly, NSW purchased the $20,000 Kilcock Vesper V19 (PS) from the Kilcock stud, Deniliquin, NSW, while another of their entries fetched $18,000,selling to the Yulgilbar stud.
- Selling agent: Nutrien
