Weeran Angus bounces back from dry conditions with a $24,000 top and near-total bull clearance at Byaduk
Summary
Weeran Angus at Byaduk in western Victoria rebounded from dry conditions to record a near-total clearance and a $24,000 top price, selling 62 of 68 bulls for an average of $11,274. The result comfortably exceeded the previous year's $16,000 top, reflecting improved seasonal conditions after an outstanding autumn break and a mild, relatively dry winter that delivered strong pasture growth. A sale highlight was the strength of the stud's home-bred sires, many from first-calf heifer matings, with the adoption of genomics allowing all heifers to be multi-sire joined to yearling stud bulls; 84 per cent of heifers were in calf within five weeks. The top bull, Lot 2 Weeran Vatican VHW24V241, an August 2024-drop calving-ease son, was secured by a long-term client from Warrong. He recorded a 2.7-kilogram birth weight, a 200-day weight of 54kg, a 400-day weight of 102kg and a 600-day weight of 142kg, along with a 7 square centimetre eye muscle area estimated breeding value, 1.3mm rib fat, a -0.7mm p8 measurement, 0.2 per cent retail beef yield and 3.7pc intramuscular fat. Reference sire groups performed strongly, with two sons of one sire averaging $18,000 and other progeny groups averaging between $13,500 and $15,000. The second top-priced bull, Lot 60 Weeran Wellington VHW25W20, made $19,000 to a long-standing client at Cavendish. Volume buyers each took 10 bulls, and most bulls stayed with local producers, with a handful going interstate to South Australia and NSW.
Key Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Top price | $24,000 |
| Average price | $11,274 |
| Bulls sold | 62 of 68 |
| Previous year top price | $16,000 |
| Second top price | $19,000 |
| Heifers in calf within five weeks | 84% |
| Top bull 400-day / 600-day weight | 102kg / 142kg |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What was the top price at the Weeran Angus sale?
The top price was $24,000 for Lot 2, Weeran Vatican VHW24V241. It was a calving-ease son noted for its phenotype, capacity and body length.
How many bulls sold and at what average?
The stud sold 62 of the 68 bulls it offered, a near-total clearance. They averaged $11,274.
How did this compare with the previous year?
The result easily exceeded the previous year's top of $16,000, when two bulls made that figure. Improved seasonal conditions supported the stronger market.
What were the top bull's key figures?
The August 2024-drop bull had a 2.7kg birth weight, a 200-day weight of 54kg, a 400-day weight of 102kg and a 600-day weight of 142kg. Its eye muscle area estimated breeding value was 7 square centimetres, with 3.7 per cent intramuscular fat.
What role did genomics play in the sale offering?
With genomics adopted, all heifers were multi-sire joined to yearling stud bulls. This natural mating approach saw 84 per cent of heifers in calf within five weeks.
What did the second top-priced bull make?
The second top bull, Lot 60 Weeran Wellington VHW25W20, made $19,000. It went to a long-standing client at Cavendish.
Where did most of the bulls go?
Most bulls went to local producers. A handful went interstate to South Australia and NSW.
