$8750 peak for Monterey

Angus bulls were in demand while noteworthy bidding took place on a top-priced black Murray Grey bull at the Monterey Winter Bull Sale last week at Brunswick.

Monterey stud principal Gary Buller said he was pleased about the total clearance on the Angus bulls, and though a few Murray Grey clients were unable to attend, there were some highlights during the sale.

In total, Elders and Landmark offered 54 bulls and sold 38 — 21 Angus and 17 Murray Greys for average prices of $6274 and $4823 respectively as compared to average prices of $5944 and $5517 from last year’s sale, when 66 bulls were offered.

A very impressive yearling Angus bull caught the eye of repeat buyer Kim Payne, of Boyanup, who secured Monterey Kalahari K210 for the $8750 sale top-price.

The 17-month old bull, sired by Monterey Far Out F177, weighed in at 804kg, showing exceptional growth and weight for age.

“The bull is very impressive and will be used in my mostly Angus commercial herd of 150 breeders,” Mr Payne said.

Dean and Deanne Scott, of Silverlands Angus stud in Bridgetown, paid $8500 for Monterey Kimberley K48, a 23-month-old bull sired by The Grange A150.

The 918kg bull was described by Mr Buller as full of red meat quality and style.

“Terrific weight for age, even though after he was used over our heifers with great results,” Mr Buller said.

Landmark agent Jamie Abbs secured Monterey Kurronjong K183 for $7750 on behalf of the Moore family’s Gen-Y-Grazing Company, of Northam.

This 22-month, 926kg bull was also sired by Monterey Far Out F177.

Other buyers who bought Far Out Angus sons were repeat buyers Peter and Judy Middleton, of Donnybrook, who paid $7250 for Monterey Kilamanjaro K180.

Landmark agent Ralph Mosca secured three Angus bulls for an average price of $5833 for volume buyer Willowbrook.

In the Murray Grey catalogue, long-time Hereford breeders George and Patricia Simpson, of Dardanup, paid the $8250 top-price for their first-ever Murray Grey.

“I have been breeding pure Herefords, but it is time to produce calves that the butchers want,” he said.

Mr Simpson was successful on his first pick, Monterey Khan K156, a black-coated 24-month-old bull sired by Monterey Black Knight.

Before the bull was offered, Mr Buller said Murray Greys, which he has been breeding since 1975, were very closely related to Angus, and Khan was the result of three generations of selections towards producing a black coat, suitable to put over Angus females.

So far, Khan was the highest-priced, black-coated Murray Grey bull that Monterey has offered for sale.

The 880kg bull showed plenty of volume and softness with recorded Estimated Breeding Values of +21, +30 and +45 for 200, 400 and 600 day-weights and a very high intramuscular scan of 5.2 per cent.

“The colour doesn’t matter to me, just that the bull produces calves that are quick maturing and are heavier for age,” Mr Simpson said.

“We intend to select replacement females from the first drop of calves.”

Bridgetown producers John and Sally Fredericks paid the $6500 second top-price for Monterey Kalannie K217.

The 22-month-old, 832kg silver-coated bull was sired by Monterey Brady Boy H4 and out of Monterey Magnolia G137, which Monterey backs as one of the breed’s most elite females.

The bull recorded EBVs of +37, +54 and +83 for 200, 400 and 600-day weights, all in the top 1 per cent of the breed and an outstanding eye muscle scan of 125cm.

Mr Fredericks said the bull was very soft, had excellent backline and feet and would go to work in their herd of 90 breeders.

The Fredericks also bought two other bulls for $4000 each, including a black-coated son of Monterey Black Knight.

Repeat buyer S Kidman and Company, of South Australia, paid $6000 for Monterey Karma K269, a 21-month, 746kg bull sired by Monterey Brandy Boy H4 and out of Monterey Dutchess G116, one of Mr Buller’s favourite G drop females.

Mr Buller said S Kidman will use the bull in its four-way composite program which produces light-coated tick resistant cattle which can survive the heat.

Albany Murray Grey breeders Alastair and Jenny Murray, of Tullibardine stud, secured Monterey Kenwood K303 for $4500.

The 19 month old, 726kg grey Murray Grey bull, sired by Monterey Grand Duke G109, was a standout youngster with a sire’s outlook, according to Mr Buller and recorded impressive EBVs of +31, +52 and +70 for 200, 400 and 600-day weights.

Another stud purchase was from David Corker’s Bullco Genetics, of Boyup Brook, securing Monterey Krackerjack K312, for $3500.

The 17-month-old silver bull was sired by Monterey Gourmet G191 and out Monterey Melissa H76.