THE Diamond Poll Hereford bull sale at Frances in late February provided plenty of value buying, with nearly two-thirds selling for $3000 each.
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The season's final SA Poll Hereford sale resulted in a 68 per cent clearance for the four vendors, with 44 bulls averaging $3432.
Most of the 32 registered bidders secured their first and second picks without much competition, which meant many bulls with natural thickness and carcase shape sold under the odds.
The trend was similar to many earlier whiteface sales that suffered poor clearance because of minimal pastoral activity.
But vendors were not too disheartened, with orders for large numbers of herd bulls still possible if SA's northern pastoral areas and central Australia receive rain in coming months.
Buying strength came from the Lower South East and western Victoria, particularly Landmark Mount Gambier's Bob Tonkin.
He bought eight bulls for four clients, including three each to Heysen Partners and Milroy Pastoral Co.
The sale topped at $6000 twice and both bulls were from Rod, Gayle and Brad Davies' Wrattenbullie stud, Naracoorte.
These two AI-bred sons of Wrattenbullie Dictator went into stud breeding programs.
Carolyn Mudge, Maildaburra stud, Streaky Bay, was successful on lot 1, Wrattenbullie Goodridge, with the bidding done by Landmark stud stock manager Malcolm Scroop.
Goodridge also stacked up well on Breedplan with growth figures in the top 5 per cent of the breed, including a 600-day weight of +100 and an eye muscle area in the top 10pc at +4.1.
Bill and Kathy Lambert, Taronga stud, Paschendale, paid $6000 for the good-carcased Wrattenbullie Griffin.
"He has good length, bone and out of a heifer who is a bloody good cow now," Mr Lambert said.
"He is a good, safe bull. We didn't really need another bull but at the current prices it was worth it."
Wrattenbullie topped the table of stud averages after five of their seven bulls averaged $4400.
Sale hosts David and Sue Bennett, Yambro stud, Frances, sold their top bull, Yambro Federation G21, at $5500.
It went to long-time Diamond sale supporter Arthur Facey, Millicent.
Another loyal supporter, GS Byrnes & Sons, buying through Elders Mildura, secured three bulls, including the $3500 top price bull from Brett and Amanda Shepherd's Roeston Park stud at Kybybolite.
*Full report in Stock Journal, March 7 issue, 2013.
