Bullish outcome for Melaleuca

It was a bullish outcome for the Metcalfe family's Melaleuca Murray Grey bull sale, held last week at Manypeaks, with higher average price results.

Overall, Landmark sold 31 bulls of the 39 offered on the rail, to a top of $10,500 and average price of $4564.

Representing an increase per head of $537 as compared to last year, when 28 sold for an average of $4027, Mr Metcalfe said it was an excellent result for the stud.

First-time buyers Leon and John Stickland, of Mungatta Murray Grey stud, Wongan Hills, secured the sale topper at $10,500.

The bull, Melaleuca Hakea H202, was sired by Melaleuca Barker B162 and recorded EBVs of +26, +46, and +66 for 200, 400 and 600-day weights.

Leon Stickland said they selected the bull on his figures and said he was very structurally sound and represented an outcross sire to their stud herd.

The underbidder on the top-priced bull was Brian James, who was bidding on behalf of account BA and LD James and GE Bell, of Manypeaks.

Mr James secured the $7000 second top-priced bull, Melaleuca Hacker, also sired by B162, and described in the catalogue as outstanding in every respect.

The partnership of James and Bell are regular buyers of Melaleuca bulls and also secured two other lots for $4750 and $4000.

Landmark agent Bob Humphrey secured two low-birth weight bulls at $6750 and $4000 each for account Larussa Holdings, of Gingin.

Esperance account AJ and MA Coward paid $5750 for a bull out of Melaleuca's best cow, Melaleuca Copper A126.

Mr Metcalfe said three sons of the cow have been retained in the stud.

Volume buyer John Fleay, of Roydon Nominees, Denmark, bought seven bulls to a total average price of $3821.

Mr Fleay runs 1000 cows divided as 60 per cent Angus and 40 per cent Murray Grey pure herds.

"While the blacks are enjoying a strong marketing push, you cannot go past the quality of Murray Greys that are produced in the State," he said.