Koojan Hills excites

Paul Keppel, of Elders Kojonup, Koojan Hills stud principal Lew Smit, Elders auctioneer Don Morgan and Gerald Kilpatrick, buyer of the top-priced bull.

Koojan Hills bull sale
BREED	OFFERED	SOLD	TOP PRICE	AVERAGE
Angus	37	34	$11,000	$5706

Koojan Hills annual bull sale on Tuesday last week was a ripper - 34 bulls sold under the hammer to a top price of $11,000 and a $5706 average.

Another two sold minutes after the sale, resulting in an almost full clearance.

The top and average were slightly down on 2009 but it was an exceptional result given current market returns.

Before the sale started, there was nervous anticipation, but bidders who filled the Knutsford grandstand came with one purpose - to buy superior Angus genetics.

Elders auctioneer Don Morgan told bidders before the sale that Koojan Hill's eye muscle area (EMA) figures for all catalogued bulls were above the breed average and most recorded above average estimated breeding values (EBV).

Commercial producer Gerald Kilpatrick, of Kamballup, outbid a stud breeder to take home Koojan Hills Performer D145, the $11,000 pick of the sale.

The May 2008-drop bull was sired by USA KCF Bennett Performer and had the highest EMA in the catalogue at 6.7, compared to the breed average of 2.7.

Its EBVs were well above the breed average, especially for growth, as were its retail beef yield at 1 and intramuscular fat 1.2.
Mr Kilpatrick, a regular buyer who runs 300 Angus breeders and feedlots calves sold to Woolworths, said he liked the shape of the bull and used the EBVs to back up his decision.

The bull will be mated to a line of specific females and the odd bull from his calves may be kept.

Supporting the sale strongly was eastern states repeat buyer Sue Ray, of Waralla, Ournie, New South Wales.

Elders regional sales manager Geoff Shipp bid on behalf of Ms Ray to buy six bulls for an average of $7125, including the second top priced bull which sold for $10,500.

Paul Keppel, of Elders Kojonup, bought a bull on behalf of Tasmanian Charles Wallace for $8250.

A first-time buyer from New Norica purchased five bulls and Kelvin and Estelle Ridgway, of Narrikup, bought three.

Stud principal Lew Smit said a trend evident at this year's sale was most buyers paid attention to performance figures which was positive and the best way forward.

He said buyers visually assessed bulls first and used the index figures to refine their selections.

   Printable Version