THE long-term commitment by Laucke-Merrina Poll Hereford stud, Eudunda and Bangham, to supply whiteface bulls to pastoral buyers in western NSW was once again richly rewarded with a strong contingent of repeat buyers at the ninth annual Darling River bull sale.
The 12 registered bidders from the Broken Hill, Cobar and Wentworth areas along with the South East of SA included a number of new buyers.
In the breakdown, Nick and Paul Laucke and their families sold 22 of their 29 bulls for a $3012 average at the sale held at the Viewmont Station yards, 55 kilometres upstream from Menindee on Friday last week.
These figures almost mirrored the 2014 sale result.
The $4250 sale-topper Merrina Slugger sold to repeat buyers GT Trading, Millicent, and had one of the farthest trips to its new home.
The autumn 2013-drop is a son of Laucke Merrina stud sire Kidman Formation D142, bought at the 2010 Dubbo National Show & Sale.
Volume buyers at the sale were Ken and Raelene Ogilvie, Lindon Station via Camerons Corner, with five bulls between $2500 and $3000.
The Gall family, Langawirra Station via Broken Hill, bought three bulls.
Laucke-Merrina stud co-principal Nick Laucke said he was happy to see continued support from regulars and new clients when a lot of areas were still dry and lack of feed was evident.
Elders Broken Hill territory sales manager Charlotte Treloar said results were above expectation considering the season and with quite a few properties selling off cows.
"It is drying off. There is still some dry feed here from the January rains but we are hoping for some follow-up rains before winter to set up the feed," he said.
"We have seen some showers in the SE in the past week or so which has helped the cattle market along."
Landmark stud stock manager and auctioneer Gordon Wood said the Laucke family had done a great job supplying bulls that suit pastoral buyers.
"They are structurally sound, free striding and have that easy doing ability with natural softness and positive fat," he said.
Landmark and Elders were joint selling agents.
