Widespread interest from carcase focused commercial beef producers provided strong support at the annual Kilkenny, Barambah-Dale, Emjay and Wellcamp bull sale, Woolooga Saleyards on Friday.
A total of 142 bulls out of a possible 143 sold under the hammer for a solid $5919 average, which equates to 105 Charolais bulls selling for a $6257 average and 37 Charbray bulls averaging $4960 - last year this sale sold 107 bulls.
In addition, there were over 120 registered buyers - a record number of this fixture - that provided the competition for the near total clearance result.
The lift in catalogue numbers didn’t deter buyers, in fact, according to sale host Mike Lawlor of Kilkenny Charolais it afforded every buyer an opportunity to fill their orders.
The $14,000 top-priced Charolais bull, Barambah-Dale Miles, was offered by Wayne and Lesley Davis of Barambah-Dale Charolais and was bought by first-time buyers Shane and Cassandra Griffin, Bacchus Downs, Valkyrie via Nebo.
Mr Griffin said he recently purchased Bacchus Downs and wanted to introduce Charolais genetics into his Brahman-based herd with the aim to breed quality Charbray females.
He also purchased another Charolais bulls for a $6500 average and based his selections on conformation, softness and adequate muscle expression.
Regular buyers Peter and Helen Little, Avonvale, Toogoolawah and Mt Nicholson, Bauhinia outlaid the $10,500 top Charbray money for Emjay M3478 sold by Michael Connolly of Emjay Charbrays.
The Little family bought five Charbray bulls for a $6300 average to use over commercial Charbray and Droughtmaster cows on Avonvale and another four Charolais bulls for a $7625 average to join to higher content Charbray and Droughtmaster females on Mt Nicholson.
Agents: Sullivan Livestock and Rural Services and Shepherdson and Boyd.
