SALE SUMMARY
2017 2016
Offered 74 71
Sold 72 71
Top $25,000 $52,000
Av $7889 $6775
REEDY CREEK based Granite Ridge stud set a cracking benchmark for upcoming SA Angus Week sales, with a near total clearance and an outstanding $7889 average
The stands were packed to the rafters on Friday last week, with 52 bidders from SA, Vic and NSW attending the 10th annual sale.
Commercial buyers were the sale’s strength securing all fifteen bulls to make $10,000 or more, outgunning stud interest on several occasions.
In comparison in 2016 just six Granite Ridge bulls made $10,000 or more.
Many of the stud’s commercial clients have featured among the top prices at the recent Naracoorte and Mount Gambier weaner sales, and were looking to reinvest in top genetics.
They pushed the average up more than $1100 on 2016’s stellar sale.
In the past decade stud principals Colin Flanagan and Pat Ebert have gained respect for breeding Angus with great structure and carcase merit and performance figures to match.
This year’s draft of 74 herd book recorded bulls were no exception.
Leading the buying was noted weaner breeder Greg Fisher, Clover Ridge Pastoral, Marcollat who bought three of the five-figured bulls, including the $25,000 sale topper.
Lot 10- Granite Ridge Legend L26, had plenty of pre-sale stud and commercial interest.
The 22 month-old AI bred bull was another exceptional son of Te Mania Foe- who also sired Granite Ridge’s $52,000 record breaker, last year.
Out of a Nichols Quiet Lad heifer, Legend also had Breedplan figures in the top 1 per cent of the Angus breed for 200 and 600 day weight, milk and carcase weight.
Mr Fisher’s adviser and Southern Australian Livestock general manager Laryn Gogel said the 912 kilogram bull was a “great all-round calf”, with terrific balance, softness and muscling and good temperament.
Semen will be collected from the sale topper and used selectively with some of Clover Ridge’s top females.
“He has the ability to really complement what we are doing out at Clover Ridge.
“Greg has taken a herd of cattle and added frame and now we want to put more red meat in them to breed weaners for buyers looking to put out calves for a feeder or kill job,” he said.
Mr Fisher had deep pockets, also buying Lot 4, another Foe son at $10,000 and Lot 13 sired by SA Neutron 377, for $10,500.
The sale’s $16,000 second top price was paid for Lot 26, Granite Ridge Lusty L6.
The Witherswood Performer E49 son was knocked down to Will Macdonald, Blackwood Park, Strathalbyn, who also bought Lot 58 for $14,000.
Camp Creek Partnership, Branxholme,Vic secured the 996kg heaviest bull in the draft, Lot 2, Granite Ridge Lazarus L89 for $13,000.
ID&B Cobiac, Kingston added to their Granite Ridge sire battery with Lot 5 at $10,000, Lot 30 for $12,000 and Lot 61 for $8000.
Many of Granite Ridge’s clients are reaping the rewards from the stud’s buy-back backgrounding program.
Among these is volume buyer Peter Murray who was buying with manager Bruce Creek for their Kangaroo Island properties, with Platinum Livestock manager Wayne Hall.
They bought 10 bulls for White Corsair for a $6000 av and another nine bulls for Kiwi Blue for a $6889 av.
This included Lot 28- Granite Ridge Limitless L47- at $12,500.
Last week Granite Ridge bought a load of their 2016-drop steers.
The Bainger family, Hillcrest Pastoral Company, Avenue Range also left their mark on the sale, buying 10 bulls for their Conkar Plains property to $10,000 and $7950 av.
There were bulls for all budgets, with nine bulls selling between $4500-$5000.
Mr Flanagan said he was “very happy” with the result, with the high prices throughout the catalogue, reflecting the consistency of the offering.
Since buying another property in late 2015 they have grown their stud herd to more than 400 females.
“We are on top of the breed’s genetic defects now so next year we will have bigger numbers and bigger selection,” he said.
He said Te Mania Foe progeny continued to impress with their phenotype, excellent structure and docility.
Eight Foe sons averaged $10,500 in the sale.
“A lot of people have been coming and looking at our females and can’t believe the consistency of the Foe females. His genetic profile is so powerful,” he said.
Southern Australian Livestock conducted the sale with Glasser Total Sales Management’s Michael Glasser the guest auctioneer.
“It was a solid result for a solid line-up of bulls- good prices but still affordable given what cattle are making,” he said.