THE largest sale catalogue for many years tested demand at last week's 2014 Alice Springs Show Bull Sale but Central Australian pastoralists raised their hands high, ensuring its success.
In a near-total clearance, 43 bulls over seven breeds were offered and 42 found new homes in all directions from Alice Springs.
The 13 vendors from SA, Qld and NT were pleased with the $5750 high and $3535 average - not far off 2013 levels.
For the third year in a row Matt and Sally Bekker, Bos Park Droughtmasters, Gympie, Qld, topped the sale after making a 1500-kilometre trek to Alice.
Bos Park Force, a February 2012-drop bull which was decorated with broad ribbons on the Bekkers' local show circuit, drew the attention of Tim Edmunds, Hale River Pastoral for Ambalindum Station.
Last year, six of Force's paternal brothers averaged $5400 including the $8000 sale-topper, but Mr Bekker was pleased with last week's result, given the beef industry climate.
The Bekkers also sold their champion Droughtmaster bull, a yearling at $4000. They said it was pleasing to continue to attract new buyers and seeing their bulls performing in the area.
This year they visited clients' stations to see the environmental conditions their bulls go out into.
"We are conscious of breeding cattle with good feet and legs, doing-ability, and consider the fact the animals they breed may go north to a boat or south to a feedlot or straight to the processor," Mr Bekker said. "We want to make sure they hit any grid without copping any discounts.
"It is really starting to feel like we are helping our clients - through our breeding program - hit the market with their stock."
The Fogden family, Nangaringa Santa Gertrudis stud, Loxton, achieved the sale's second-top price of $5000 for Nangaringa Woody, paid by the Cook family, Supplejack Downs Station.
Poll Hereford bulls dominated the sale catalogue with four SA studs offering 17 bulls. These sold to $4750 twice and averaged $4220.
Lachy and Lou Day, Days Whiteface stud, Bordertown, sold Days H210 at $4750 to Ben and Nicole Hayes,Undoolya Station.
For the same money Ben and Laura Heaslip, Bond Springs Station, bought Yambro Federation H72. A paternal brother and Yambro's grand champion bull from the previous day's judging also sold to Bond Springs at $4000
Lachie and Paddy Weir, Todd River Pastoral, were the sale's volume buyer with nine Poll Herefords and a Red Angus.
Two new exhibitors at Alice gained new clients in the area - the Llewellyn family, Jillangalo Red Angus, Keith, selling five bulls to $3250, and Trent Walker, Keringa Angus, Lameroo, three to $3000.
* Full report in Stock Journal, July 10, 2014 issue.
Catherine Miller
Stock Journal's livestock editor and South East correspondent.
Stock Journal's livestock editor and South East correspondent.
