$12,500 top at Blue Ribbon sale

Landmark’s Great Southern Blue Ribbon Bull Sale conducted at the Mt Barker Regional Saleyards last week brought a big crowd and a record result.

Average prices soared to a record $6339 for 59 bulls sold, as compared to last year when 49 bulls sold for an average price of $5051.

The catalogue included an offering of 9 Charolais, 13 Simmental, 29 Angus, 5 Red Angus, 8 Murray Grey, 2 Shorthorn and 3 Limousin bulls.

Landmark auctioneer Michael Altus, in his first-ever bull sale, knocked the $12,500 top-priced bull, Ponderosa Hoover Dam L15, to buyers Wayne and Serena Matthews, of Kangarabbi Farms, Narrikup.

The Matthews run a herd of pure Angus breeders and have been on Ponderosa bloodlines for six years.

“By selecting bulls for good growth figures and high milk, we see the results when our calves JUare sold at the saleyards,” Mr Matthews said.

“We were very pleased with how our calves sold recently and values are where they should be.”

Ponderosa stud principal Greg Brown was very pleased his bull sold for a stud record price.

“The bull was out of dam Ponderosa Vicky F7, that was judged supreme champion at the 2015 Albany Agriculture Show,” he said.

Ponderosa Hoover Dam L15 recorded Estimated Breeding Values of +54, +98 and +129 for 200, 400 and 600-day weights.

The Matthews also paid $6000 for Ponderosa Chisum L2.

In the Charolais catalogue, values were the strongest with all nine bulls, offered by Quicksilver stud, selling to a top of $11,500 (Quicksilver Lawman).

Quicksilver stud co-principal Doug Giles, of Newdegate, said those values were the best his family had achieved at Mt Barker.

“It was the best sale team since the stud was established in 1992,” he said.

“By using AI sires and some ET work, and listening to the requirements of our clients, we have been able to breed good productive bulls.”

Quicksilver Lawman, which sold for the second top price of the sale, went to repeat buyer John Inberty, of Silverstone Livestock, Narrikup.

Account OM Dunnet & Co, of Nannup, paid $9000 for a Quicksilver bull while Barry Panizza, of Albany, paid $8500 and $8000 for his two Quicksilver bulls.

Similar results were had in the Simmental catalogue with the Naracoopa stud’s offering of nine bulls with all selling to a top price of $10,000 twice, and average price of $7722.

Those top-selling Simmental bulls went to two buyers including Brian Vigus, of Denmark, securing poll bull Naracoopa Lancelot and account Mt Barker Transport successful on Naracoopa Lebron.

Another Angus bull in top money was Mason Valley Lawless L34, which sold for $9000 to account FV Hortin & Sons.

A Red Angus bull, Kildarra Lenard L12, sold for $5000 to PA & DL Geddes.

In the Murray Grey catalogue, Willawa Greys Lincoln L18 sold for the $5000 top price to account Price Family Farms, Kalgan.

Only one Tarlinca Shorthorn bull sold on the rail for $3500. The catalogue finished with three Shannalea Limousin bulls all selling to a top price of $7000 to Samwell Grazing Co.