$6750 top at Mt Barker bull sale

Angus bulls were a popular choice at the Landmark Blue Ribbon Bull Sale at Mt Barker last week.

The multi-breed sale overall result was a dramatic improvement, thanks to the Angus prices, with 45 of the 56 bulls selling to an average price of $4128, an increase of $574 on last year when 51 bulls sold for an average of $3554.

Landmark auctioneer John Wirth said overall quality was very good, but multi-breed sales always had their ups and downs.

"While values lifted for Angus and Murray Grey bulls and Simmentals were close to equal on last year, buyers were selective on some of the Charolais bulls," he said.

Taking top-priced honours was Greg Brown's Ponderosa stud's rising two-year-old Angus bull, Ponderosa Performance H7, which sold for $6750 to repeat buyers Wayne and Serena Matthews, of Kangarabbi Farms, Narrikup.

Against some very competitive bidding, Elders Mt Barker agent Dean Wallinger secured the bull on behalf of the Matthews.

Serena Matthews said the bull had visual appeal and the well-tempered Ponderosa bulls were working very well in their 350 pure Angus cow herd, producing exceptional calves.

The catalogue listed the bull's sire as KCF Bennett Performer, while the dam's side could be traced back to the "famous Merrigrange Wilcoola family".

Ponderosa Performance H7 recorded estimated breeding values of +59 for 200-day, +100 for 400-day and +124 for 600-day weights.

The Matthews also bought Ponderosa Hector H12, a Ponderosa home-bred bull, for $6000.

Two other Angus bulls were equal second top-price favourites, both selling for $6250 each. The first to sell was from the Denbar Angus stud of Mike and Ruth Coffey, who have dispersed their stud, offering the very last of the bulls at the sale.

Manypeaks commercial producers Jeff and Rebecca Blyth, who secured the bull, said they selected Denbar H75 on its high birth weight (EBV +7.3) and exceptional EBV muscle area (+5.2).

Mason Valley Angus stud's Rumble H18 was bought for $6250 by FV Horton and Sons, of Torbay.

Holding close to the price setters, a Naracoopa Simmental bull named Henry sold for $6000. It was described as "not to be overlooked, being blonde coated".

Redmond commercial producer and first-time Naracoopa bull buyer Chris Blight said he appreciated the Simmental's depth of body. "The bull will be used over Chargrey cows and also Shorthorn-South Devon-cross cows," he said.

Another Mason Valley bull, Thunderstruck H12, sold for $6000 to Watterson Estate, of Tenterden.

Local Albany cattle producer PR and SM Marshall secured four Angus bulls for an average of $4687.

Viv Giles, of Willawa Murray Grey stud, achieved a total clearance of all seven bulls offered and improving the stud's average price by $1221 per head on last year.

The Newdegate stud's top-price bull sold to JL and MC Whitely, of Wandering, for $4750.