Tullibardine bulls to $15,500
Rare Murray Grey genetics brought Eastern States stud interest to the Tullibardine bull sale last week at Albany, where prices reached $15,500.
Bryce Whale and daughter Annika, of Glenliam Farms Murray Greys, Glen William, NSW, have searched high and low across Australia to secure progeny from top sire Eylwarra Sands Falcon F33, which sired sale bull Tullibardine Jeopardy J14.
"We looked at four sons of Falcon in four different States and found the best at today's sale," Mr Whale said.
"What made the challenge more difficult was our interest in securing a silver-coated bull - Falcon is a dark grey.
"Our Queensland bull clients require silver to cross over Bos Indicus cattle.
"As we are very carcase orientated, the bull's outcross genetics will add softness and do-ability into our herd of 130 cows."
Mr Whale said the bull had good Estimated Breeding Values in growth, particularly 600-day weight (+86, top one per cent of the breed) and milk (+7) and had weight for age (986kg at 23 months) and wonderful temperament.
The bull was first on the radar when it was judged at various cattle shows, including the Albany Regional Show, where it was judged supreme exhibit.
The Whale family will take 50 per cent ownership of Jeopardy, with the balance going to Wallawong Murray Grey Stud, NSW.
The under-bidder on the popular bull was local Murray Grey stud Catford, with principal Norm Hill saying it was a missed opportunity.
Repeat buyer Larussa Assets secured the $8250 second top-priced Murray Grey bull, Tullibardine Jericho J13, with Landmark agent Bob Pumphrey bidding on behalf of the Gingin commercial producer.
The same buyer also bought another bull for $4500.
Account RE Fenny paid $7000 for a Tullibardine Civil C90-sired bull, Tullibardine Justile J11, while LE McGuire & Co paid $6750 for a Melaleuca Chariot C211 son and BJ & SE O'Callaghan paid $6000 for a bull going back to a Jomal Glen grand sire.
Tullibardine co-principal Alastair Murray said the spread of genetics was an important strategy to meet the requirements of his clients.
The full clearance of 18 bulls spoke for itself, with the Murray Grey average price ($5430) lifting by $1396 per head compared with last year, when 22 bulls sold for an average price of $4034.
The same could not be said for the Angus bulls on offer this year, only because the Murrays more than doubled the numbers, but with a total sale clearance, the result was more than satisfying.
"We were extremely pleased with the outcome," Mr Murray said.
All 24 Angus bulls sold for an average price of $5719, which was up $244 per head on last year when 10 bulls of 11 offered sold for an average of $5475.
Mr Murray said the Angus stud was still in its infancy but was starting to show more depth with strategic genetic infusion, which resulted in a record $11,500 top-priced bull this year, Tullibardine Jaw Dropper J97, sired by Koojan Hills Unlimited F237.
The buyer, M Swainston & Co, of Torbay, said they selected the bull for its big frame, good hindquarters and temperament.
"The bull had good growth rates and milk figures," a Swainston spokesman said.
The first-time buyer said his family was clearing blue gums to make way for increased cattle numbers and are currently running 180 Angus breeders.
The 940kg Jaw Dropper was the heaviest in the catalogue and was one of 11 KH Unlimited sons on offer.
The sire's impact on the sale had other bulls sold for $9250 to repeat buyer F & V Hortin of Torbay, $8250 to Pyle Brothers and $6500 to Narrabri Farms.
A single offering of an Ayrvale Bartel E7-sired bull, Tullibardine Jackaroo J96, sold for $7500 to Ten Year Developments.
Repeat buyer Zac Hortin also bought a Monterey Constellation C39-sired bull for $7250.
First-time buyer Barry Panizza, of Albany, who was a major buyer of Angus heifers at the recent Mt Barker female sale, bought two bulls for $6500 and $5000.
"I was looking for productive herd bulls," he said.
Tullibardine Bull Sale *
