Buyers cash in on prices

Landmark agent Bob Pumphrey with Murray Davis, of Coonamble, and buyers Les and Zac Hortin, purchasers of Coonamble D8, the top bull of the sale which sold for $6500.

Coonamble annual bull sale
BREED	OFFERED	SOLD	TOP PRICE	AVERAGE
Angus	48	31	$6500	$3822

It was a buyer's market at Coonamble's Black Angus annual bull sale where producers took the opportunity to buy multiple bulls for reasonable prices.

The top price across the 48 bulls offered was $6500 paid for Coonamble D8.

The bulls were from genetics from Coonamble's famed sire Buddy, sired by Coonamble Z132, as were seven other bulls, including Vermont 24J.

Bornholm beef breeders and dairy farmers the Hortin family purchased the top price bull because of his strong physical characteristics.

Les Hortin, who attended the sale with nephew Zac, the fifth generation Hortin to be involved in farming, said the bull was the best of those on offer.

The 662kg bull recorded 40 for 200-day weight, 9 for milk and 2.7 for eye muscle area.

The Hortins buy replacement bulls every year from a number of studs and run 950 beef cattle and about 600 milking cows.

Mr Hortin said they would keep the first-cross heifers sired by the Angus bull.

Under the hammer, 31 bulls sold followed by another seven within minutes, making the average $3697.36.

Stud principal Murray Davis said the result was expected given the market and he was pleased several buyers were able to take advantage of the prices to make multiple purchases.

With bull prices at reasonable levels and the market having only to go skyward, Landmark auctioneer John Wirth believes now is the time to get into cattle.

Mr Wirth said that historically the market ran in cycles which had been the case recently with sheep prices.

And with cattle being sent east to meet re-stocker and processor demand, he said prices would turn around quickly.

Mr Wirth said those buying from Coonamble could be assured of the longevity of their purchases and being grass-fed on paddocks, they would perform well, which was largely proved by the number of returning clients.

Local producer Phil Wishart, of Bremer Bay, was the volume buyer, purchasing five bulls under the hammer for an average of $4500.

Other volume buyers strongly supporting the sale with three bulls each were Pamela Wood, of Green Range, Jeff Pyle, of Manypeaks, and Ryan Smith, of Baboo Pastoral.

   Printable Version