A COW and calf unit from South Australia topped the Red Poll and Maine-Anjou Beef Australia stud and commercial sale at the Whittlesea Showground on Saturday.
Marg Williams and Graham Sims, Mount Gambier, SA, sold the Maine-Anjou cow, Chalon Samantha, and her calf at $4000.
The cow had previously produced a junior and grand champion at the 2011 National Beef Bendigo Show.
Linton Maine-Anjou principal Terry Ryan bought the unit to expand his foundation stock.
"This cow and calf were of top quality to add to my growing herd," he said.
Mr Ryan also purchased young heifer Maine Park Fevonne from C Worden & B Fry, Maine Park Maine-Anjous, Knowsley.
Clint Worden said the sale was a success, with all Maine-Anjou lots sold.
"Our promotions at the Seymour Expo and Beef Week saw more bull buyers at this year's sale," he said.
Maine-Anjou bulls sold to $2400, averaging $2160, while the females sold to $4000, av $1616.
The top-priced Red Poll bull, Red Cactus Heyu, was bought by the Leeder brothers, Cope Cope, at $3000.
The 580-kilogram yearling, bred by Ross Draper, Red Cactus Red Polls, Arthurs Creek, was out of 2011 Melbourne Royal reserve champion dam Red Cactus Regal.
Ivan and Bruce Leeder said the bull would be used to inject a new bloodline into their herd.
The Leeders have been breeding Red Polls since 1889 and had three generations of the family at the sale.
While the rain failed to deter buyers, one vendor was kept away.
Mike Bassula, Red Phoenix Red Polls, Tumbarumba, NSW, experienced a truck breakdown before the sale, preventing him reaching Whittlesea as planned.
However, the wonders of technology came to the fore, with Mr Bassula photographing his lots and showcasing them successfully on an iPad at the sale.
Overall, the average price for Red Poll bulls was $3000 and the top price for females was $2300, av $1310.