$7000 top for Mt Barker bulls

Landmark's Blue Ribbon Bull Sale held last week at Mt Barker had some highs and lows, unlike the earlier record-breaking female sale.

The 54 multi-breed bull line-up finished with 45 selling to an average price of $3944, or $184/head down on last year when 45 sold for an average of $4128.

Four bulls (two Angus, one Simmental and one Red Angus) sold for the equal $7000 top-price.

Mason Valley Angus and Red Angus studs, located at Albany, produced the three British breed sale-toppers while Naracoopa Simmental stud, Denmark claimed the European breed sale-topper.

All three studs enjoyed increased averages on last year, while Mason Valley's Red Angus achieved the sale's highest average of $7000 for one bull offered.

Mason Valley Red Jubilee J10 was bought by JK and P Anderson.

The catalogue described the bull as stud sire potential, with a mountain of muscle on a very correct frame.

Mason Valley co-principal Darren Burrow said the rising two-year-old bull was sired by Canadian bull Red Six Mile Sakic 8325, out of one of Mason Valley's best cows.

Leading off the sale were two Mason Valley Angus bulls sired by homebred Mason Valley Rolling Thunder F3 - selling for $7000 each.

The first bull was secured by Torbay commercial producer Robert Hortin, who said the bull was selected on its good figures.

Mason Valley Jet Set J25 recorded Estimated Breeding Values of +39, +65 and +87 for 200, 400 and 600-day growth weights.

The Hortin family also paid $6750 for another Mason Valley Angus bull.

Mr Hortin said the bulls would go over some of the 800 Angus/Friesian cross cows his family runs.

The other Angus bull setting a stud record price for the Burrow's family, Mason Valley Jeffersonian J14, sold to Phillip Marshall, of Torbay, who runs 450 commercial Angus cows.

Mr Marshall also paid $5750 for another Mason Valley Angus bull and bought another from Ballawinna Angus stud for $5750.

In steadfast to the strong prices for Angus bulls, Ponderosa stud sold the third top-price bull for $6500.

Ponderosa stud had the Angus catalogue's highest average price of $6000 for three bulls sold and this was the second-highest average price for the sale.

Mike Fryer-Smith, of Albany, paid $5750 for Ponderosa Murray J9, sired by Coonamble Z3.

Naracoopa Simmental stud sold Naracoopa Juggle, sired by Woolallee Blackade B128, for $7000 to Redmond cattle producer Chris Blight.

Naracoopa stud principal Kevin Hard described the bull as early maturing with great muscle definition and would be excellent for baby beef production.

Viv Giles, of Newdegate, offered and sold five Willawa Murray Grey bulls, to a top of $5750 which sold to Gingin Pastoral Company.

Quicksilver Charolais stud offered and sold seven bulls to a top of $6000, which sold to FW and JM Price.

Landmark Blue Ribbon Bull Sale *