$15,000 for Diamond Tree bull
Genetic variation was on offer at the Diamond Tree Angus bull sale last week at Manjimup and buyers responded.
This resulted in a stud record average price of $6958 for the total clearance of 59 bulls, which was a $1472 a head increase on last year when 54 bulls sold to an average of $5486.
Landmark auctioneer John Wirth called out bids to start at $7000 - "right on value".
"It was a tremendous line-up with new bloodlines," he said.
Diamond Tree principal Kim Gandy said the diversity of his sale bulls made all the difference in a beef market that was very buoyant.
"We aim to add value to our clients who require bulls that can produce the goods," he said.
Repeat buyer Davie Milne, of Parmango Farms, Esperance, paid the $15,000 top-price for Diamond Tree Evident J9, sired by Dunoon Evident E614.
The 1050kg two-year-old bull, with a 6.6 frame and 44.5 scrotal, impressed the Milne family for its weight for age, balanced EBV figures and eye muscle area (+9.4).
The bull recorded EBVs of +53, +96 and +127 for 200, 400 and 600-day weights.
"We run 300 breeders and are selling 500kg calves at 7 months," Mr Milne said.
"Getting calves off early pays dividends."
The top-valued bulls were spread right through the first half of the catalogue with lot 18, Diamond Tree Bartel J22, sired by Aryvale Bartel E7, selling for $13,500 to Glenridge Park, of Mt Barker.
Brothers Andrew and Scott Slade said the bull was their first pick and would go over a nucleus of Sussex cows to produce F1 herd bulls for their family's 700 mixed cow herd.
"The outcross sire will add growth to our calf production," Andrew said.
The $12,000 third top-priced bull, Diamond Tree Rito J87 was bought by regular buyers - the Phillips family, of Manjimup.
Mal Phillips said the bull represented outcross genetics to breed herd bulls.
"We run a herd of 900 Angus breeders and are increasing numbers," he said.
"The beef market should remain good, if not better."
Account F & V Hortin, of Torbay, paid $10,500, $10,000 and $9500 for Rito, Evident and Bartel-sired bulls - gaining a good genetic variation.
Commercial cattle producer Rayview Park also was in on the diversity paying $9500 for a TC Total sired bull, Diamond Tree J132, and Diamond Tree Performer J232 for $6000.
The Davies family, of Manypeaks, paid $10,000 for Diamond Tree Rito J156, $8000 for Diamond Tree Old Post J260 and $6000 for Diamond Tree Hoover Dam J142. "We are increasing cattle numbers - beef farming is a good way of life," Ross Davies said, who is in the process of handing over the running of the farm to son Joe.
"Our past Diamond Tree bulls have performed very well."
Volume buyer and Albany cattle producer Barry Panizza bought four bulls to a top of $8500 and average price of $6875, with each bull representing a different bloodline.
Diamond Tree Angus Bull Sale *
Offered *59
Sold *59
Top price *$15,000
Average *$6958
