Te Mania Angus debuts southern spring bull sale with a $30,000 top and $11,795 average at Mortlake
Summary
Te Mania Angus launched its first-ever southern spring bull sale with a $30,000 top price, as strong competition for easy-calving, high-growth genetics underpinned a successful debut at the Mortlake stud. The sale cleared 49 of the 52 bulls on offer to average $11,795. The top-priced bull, a July 2024-drop sire weighing 826 kilograms, had served as a yearling artificial insemination backup in the stud's own breeding program before being selected for sale. It combined a modest 3.7-kilogram birth weight with standout carcase figures, including 6.2 per cent intramuscular fat, an 8.9 square centimetre eye muscle area and a 600-day weight of plus 152 kilograms, and was the first calf from a two-year-old heifer. The second top-priced bull sold for $24,000. In a notable move, the stud offered five bulls that had already been used in its own breeding program - the first time it had done so since 2011 - after switching its joining program to use yearling bulls that become available a year later. About 20 such bulls were used the previous year, with a handful put up for sale. Buyers came from Gippsland, western and northern Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia, with more local buyers than usual attending. The shift to spring sales reflects growing demand from spring-joining operations, and the result signalled solid confidence in the stud's high-performance Angus genetics.
Key Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Top bull price |
$30,000 |
| Bulls cleared / offered |
49 of 52 |
|
Average price |
$11,795 |
|
Second-top bull price |
$24,000 |
|
Top bull weight |
826 kg |
|
Top bull birth weight |
3.7 kg |
|
Top bull intramuscular fat |
6.2% |
|
600-day weight |
+152 kg |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What was the top price at Te Mania's first southern spring sale?
The top price was $30,000. It was paid for a July 2024-drop bull weighing 826 kilograms.
How many bulls sold and what was the average?
The stud cleared 49 of the 52 bulls on offer. They averaged $11,795.
What figures did the top-priced bull record?
The bull combined a 3.7-kilogram birth weight with 6.2 per cent intramuscular fat, an 8.9 square centimetre eye muscle area and a 600-day weight of plus 152 kilograms. It was the first calf from a two-year-old heifer.
What made this sale significant for the stud?
It was the stud's inaugural southern spring bull sale. The event reached a $30,000 top and an $11,795 average, signalling a successful debut.
Did the stud sell bulls from its own breeding program?
Yes, it offered five bulls already used in its own breeding program. This was the first time it had done so since 2011.
Why did the stud have these bulls available?
The stud changed its joining program to use yearling bulls, which then became available a year later. About 20 were used the previous year, with a handful put up for sale.
Where did the buyers come from?
Buyers came from Gippsland, western and northern Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia. There were more local buyers than usual.
Why is the stud moving to spring sales?
The switch caters to more spring-joining operations. As more producers move to spring joining, more bulls become available in the auction system.
