LOWER feed reserves and price anxiety did not easily accommodate the large increase in Angus bulls at this year's SA Angus Week sales.
But the Coolana Angus sale on February 13 beat the odds to sell 47 of 56 bulls offered to a $12,000 top and $4915 average – down only by $435 on last year, while the top stood equal.
A key reason for this was Coolana's policy of aligning quality supply with anticipated demand.
Principals Mark and Anna Gubbins and the Coolana team were delighted with the results despite a sticky patch about a third of the way through the sale.
The top end of the 22-month-old autumn-drop bulls was strong, with three of the first six selling to $10,000 or better, but the passing of five of the 22 in this group caused some anxiety.
Competition picked up with the introduction of 2011 spring-drops – 30 of the 34 offered sold to a $12,000 top.
Strong top end results went a long way to create a good sale average, with six bulls selling for $10,000 or better.
The $12,000 topper, Coolana G258 (AI) (ET), a son of KMK Alliance 6595 187 (USA), sold to Greg Fisher, Clover Ridge, Marcollat through Elders Keith's Laryn Gogel.
It was a standout bull for phenotype, and was backed by a quality top end and balanced figures across the board, particularly good birth (+4.5) to growth curve (600wt of +114).
This is the third consecutive year that Greg has taken the top price bull from Coolana to enhance results in his commercial herd.
He also paid $10,500 for an earlier (ET) son of Sitz New Design 458H. This was one of six full ET brothers in the sale from Coolana's top donor cow, Witherswood Tearful X031.
The six sons averaged $9250, with four topping the $10,000 barrier, demonstrating the value of a top female in a herd.
Peter Colliver and Tyron Stevens, Naweena Investments, Wingfield, buying through Spence Dix & Co, added to the top price they paid at Coolana's last spring bull sale by paying the $11,000 second-top for one of these ET sons that had been used at Coolana on heifers, at lot 1. They bought another top bull for $7000.
A strong supporter of Coolana in volume and top prices was Simon Rowe, Princess Royal Station, buying through Elders Burra office. He was back this year, but the feed situation in the pastoral country meant they only wanted minimal numbers for their seedstock breeding program.
He bought six bulls, paying to $10,000 twice and at a $7417 average, and was the biggest volume buyer.
Russell and Marnie Kamp, RMK Pastoral, Keith bought two bulls, both Sitz New Design sons, at $10,000 and $8500. The five- figured bull was another from that top ET flush.
The other end of the scale had great value buying, with 21 bulls selling for under $4000.
*Full report in Stock Journal, February 21 issue, 2013.
