A total clearance of 168 bulls and a top of $32,000 was achieved at Te Mania Angus’ annual bull sale near Mortlake.
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An average of $8726 was paid, down on last year’s average of $9282 when the cattle market was operating on a higher plane.
The even line up of bulls at this year’s March 7 sale attracted a large crowd of 174 bidders registered on property and on AuctionsPlus.
The top priced bull, Lot 49, Te Mania Malin M170, was bought by Elizabeth Roche of Arden Angus, Adelong, NSW for $32,000.
The striking son of Te Mania Jerilderie J10 impressed with good frame, body length, and balance, with growth figures in the top one per cent of the breed for 200 days (+104), 600 days (+139) and IMF per cent of +3.9.
Six bulls sold for more than $18,000, and each was in the top one per cent of the Angus Breed for the four Selection Indexes that target returns of profitability for commercial beef producers.
“This is exactly what our progeny testing is all about – testing and identifying future sires with balanced Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) – to produce high growth, high meat quality, structurally sound cattle,” Te Mania’s Tom Gubbins said.
“An extra $1 Index value contributes an extra $1 per calf for that particular market,” Mr Gubbins said.
Perseverance and patience prevailed for Ian MacLeod of Wahgunyah, Woodstock, who held on until Lot 159, to purchase the second top priced bull, Te Mania Morell M1425, for $28,000.
The bull, which is also suited to heifers, was in the top one per cent of the breed for growth and IMF percentage.
Mr MacLeod also bought Lot 147 Te Mania Metro M916 by GAR Twinhearts for $10,000.
Return clients Colin Flanagan, along with property manager Alistair Watson of Granite Ridge, Kingston SE, SA, purchased Lot 26, Te Mania Mortlake M1484, by Te Mania Garth G67.
The bull was also in the top one per cent of the breed for all four breed $indexes and for 200 days, 400 days and 600 days growth, EMA and Days to Calving.
Mr Flanagan said Te Mania Mortlake was just what his property was looking for to advance its breeding program. Granite Ridge had enormous success with their previous purchase, Te Mania Foe F734, which has sired two sale toppers, including record-breaking Granite Ridge Kaiser K26, which sold for $52,000 in 2016.
John Cleeland of King Island bought Lot 11, Te Mania Montalto M1314, by Te Mania Berkley B1, for $26,000.
The bull was another excellent carcase bull in the top one per cent for the breed $Indexes, days to calving, scrotal size and IMF percentage.
TRT, King Island was the major volume buyer, buying 15 bulls for its King Island operations.