SALE SUMMARY
2018 2017
Offered 26 25
Sold 12 21
Top $5000 $8000
Av $4250 $5079
BARGAIN hunters came up trumps at the eighth annual Green Triangle Murray Grey production sale on Wednesday last week, at Western Flat.
Vendors Geoff and Kate Buick, Arki stud, and Denise and Anthony Fabris, Beeamma stud, had a total clearance of their 45 commercial heifers.
The stud bulls also drew plenty of praise, but in a disappointing result 12 of 26 averaged $4250 – down $829 on a buoyant 2017 sale.
Seven of the bulls were knocked down at the $4000 base price and the sale top price was only $5000.
It was paid for Lot 6, Arki Montecarlo M20.
The two-year-old, which weighed 864 kilograms, impressed buyers Anthony and Nathan Geue, Kingston, with its length and growth.
The EU-accredited producers target the feedlot market.
“We were chasing a particular pedigree line and it’s the best one here,” Nathan said.
For the second year in a row the sale topper was a son of Jomal Glen Himalaya H3 – a bull Arki bought at the 2013 Murray Grey Premier sale.
Long-time supporters, Deepwater Trust, Lochaber, bought two bulls at $4000 and $4500.
Commercial females outshone the stud bulls, highlighting the breed’s great maternal reputation.
In a total clearance the 10 lots sold across the state from the South East, Yorke Peninsula, Riverland and Adelaide Hills.
The 45 heifers, which were either on the point of calving or had just calved, topped at $2150 and averaged $1931.
In comparison in 2017, 38 females averaged $2235.
Arki stud claimed the top price honours with the first pen of four, selling to Kenton Valley Farms, Kenton Valley.
Glazbrook Family Trust, Minlaton, outlaid $2100 for the top priced females from Beeamma – a pen of five.
Bill and Tom Shannon, Merambo Holdings, Loxton, underpinned the strong result buying 29 females between $1700 and $2000.
The Shannons also bought four bulls at $4000 each.
Elders auctioneer Tom Dennis said the sale was tougher than expected.
“We had a good number of registrations (21) but they seemed to what the same bulls and for whatever reason their budgets seemed to be very restricted this year,” he said.
“Some years there is good demand for the cattle but they are reliant on the cycle and when their clients need bulls.”
He praised the quality of the cattle which were displaying great weight for age and in good condition.
“They (the vendors) are extremely dedicated to the breed and promoting Murray Greys and their perseverance will stand the test of time,” he said.
Mr Buick said they expected it to be back a bit with “the cooling of the market” but were pleased with their lineup.
“We couldn’t have done much more,” he said.
He said Murray Greys had a lot to offer both the grassfed and grainfed markets and were performing well in grassfed brands.