ANGUS bulls topped at $3100 at the Kingarth helmsman auction at Nairne on Tuesday.
An impressive Pathfinder Design F425 son, Kingarth J46, made the sale's top price, going to long-term and regular client Lincoln Willson, MacGillivray, Kangaroo Island.
Only a small number of prospective buyers gathered for the helmsman auction, with four of the 23 quality.
Due to the poor spring last year and being totally paddock reared, the 20-month-old to 22mo bulls were not as advanced as in some years, but they were still well grown and ready to work.
The four bulls averaged $2775, up $115 on last year, but disappointingly clearance was down on last year.
Sale agent, Rob Parken Livestock's Rob Parken, Strathalbyn, indicated cow numbers in Kingarth's main client areas were down considerably due to the very dry spring, which did not help demand, but said it was clearly an opportunity missed by many.
Supporting Breedplan figures showed Kingarth's seven decade breeding policy of selection for balanced and functional cattle with early muscling and doing ability has been beneficial.
The bulls on offer were 11 per cent above the breed average for eye muscle area at 4.4, and topped at 9.7.
They were also above average for fat, indicating better doing ability and finish, and were 34pc below breed average for birthweight.
The Tiller family, Warnertown, were interested visitors, having recently purchased a substantial proportion of the Kingarth cow herd to commence an Angus bull breeding enterprise on top of their long established Santa Gertrudis herd.
Other buyers included Kevin and Nancy Wehrmann, Mount Compass, at $3000, Mora McCallum, Port Sturt, at $2400 and Landmark Mount Pleasant's Colin Fawcett at $2600.
