$9500 top at Monterey

Monterey bulls sold extremely well at the stud's annual winter bull sale last week at Brunswick, with the top price reaching $9500.

Stud co-principal Gary Buller said he was very pleased with the results, as Landmark and Elders sold all but one bull to repeat buyers and several newcomers.

"Bull buyers continue to build confidence in the industry as higher saleyard cattle prices remain sustainable," Mr Buller said.

In total, 65 bulls sold - 36 Angus and 29 Murray Grey to averages of $5944 and $5517, respectively, surpassing last year's averages of $4700 and $3411.

The standout bull was out of pen three, with competition during bidding pushing Monterey Jumbuck J35 to $9500.

The rising 14-month-old, 948kg Angus bull was bought by first-time Monterey buyer Mark Harris, of Treeton Lake, Cowaramup, through Landmark agent Chris Waddingham.

The slick-coated bull recorded an eye muscle area of 130cm and an intramuscular fat of 5.1.

Mr Waddingham said he was impressed by the bull's thickness and length and it would be used over Treeton Lake cows to complement the 250 Angus herd's maternal line progression.

"We were also keen on the bull's pedigree and were the underbidders on its sire, Koojan Hills Unlimited F237, when it sold three years ago," he said.

Another KH Unlimited-sired bull, Monterey Jarvis J192, sold for the $7250 equal-second top price to repeat buyer John Bowie, of Bridgetown, through Landmark agent Jamie Abbs.

Mr Abbs said he selected the bull for his 700-Angus cow client based on carcase attributes and its ability to breed replacement females.

The other $7250 bull was secured by Elders agent Michael Carroll, who was bidding on behalf of account GE & SK Hughes, of Murray Bridge, South Australia.

Mr Carroll was successful on another $7000 Angus bull for the new buyer, and secured another 11 Angus bulls to a top of $6500 and average price of $5409 for G & C Pastoral, of South Australia.

_Countryman _contacted the spokesman for G & C Pastoral, Thomas Foods representative Peter Bond, who said he was buying on behalf of four clients who were clients of the Murray Bridge cattle processor.

"I have been using Monterey Angus bulls for the past four years and have been very pleased with the results," Mr Bond said.

In the Monterey Murray Grey catalogue, repeat buyers Peter and Judy Middleton, of Lowden, paid the $7000 top price for Monterey Jumbuck J183.

Mr Buller said the Corroboree-sired bull was built like a tank and had great depth, width and length.

"He is a quality bull that will develop into a real meat machine, while still carrying high milk and great maternal traits," he said.

The 754kg bull recorded estimated breeding values of +26, +44 and +61 for 200, 400 and 600-day weights, respectively.

Mr Middleton said he was impressed by the bull's muscling and overall balance and it represented outcross genetics for his family's 200 pure Murray Grey herd.

"We sell into the weaner market with a target of 330kg to 350kg and Monterey bulls produce outstanding calves," he said.

The equal $6500 second top-priced Murray Grey bull, Monterey Jenolan J273, sold to account BV Smith, of Mettler.

Sired by Monterey Bombardier B5, the 864kg bull was described as being very long and displaying excellent muscling.

Monterey Murray Grey bulls also go to work in the pastoral regions of WA, and repeat buyer Kanandah station, of Kalgoorlie, paid $6500 for a Monterey Freight Train son, $6000 for a Monterey Fastrack son, $5000 for a Bombardier son and $5500 for a Corroboree son.

• Monterey Winter Bull Sale * Breed Offered Sold Top Price Average Angus 36 36 $9500 $5944 Murray Grey 30 29 $7000 $5517