THE state's stud beef breeders have reported mixed fortunes during this year's Stock Journal Beef Week.
Several participants with private selections enjoyed their best bull sales in several years in a rapidly rising cattle market, while some stud clients were still hamstrung due to the season.
Fewer Adelaide Hills and Mid North studs opened their gates for Beef Week than in 2019, but buyers were spoilt for choice on outstanding genetics, especially in the South East where 40 of the 55 participating studs were.
Bendulla stud at Mundulla made the most sales during the four-day event, with 21 of 30 Poll Hereford bulls selling to $8000 and 32 commercial mated heifers averaging $1800.
These went to a wide spread of buyers from Hawker to Mildura, Vic, and south to Mount Gambier, who were keen to get in early with Bendulla opting not to hold an auction this year.
"We had a couple of new sires which people were interested in and we had a couple of pastoral operators who have had just enough rain to give them some confidence to buy," Bendulla stud principal Andrew Bennett said.
Broomfield Angus stud, Winulta, was another strong performer, with a total clearance of 16 Angus bulls topping at $8000 four times.
Stud principal Brett Graham was "over the moon".
"The season is changing up north with people looking for cattle and it was really noticeable the positivity of everyone, especially the agents, that really spreads the confidence," he said.
On debut, Baynes Angus, Sherwood, sold five of nine bulls to $8000, averaging $6500, while Warrawindi Limousin stud, Penola, cleared eight bulls for a $6000 average.
Ewyn Speckle Park stud, Balhannah, sold nine bulls to $8000.
Stock Journal livestock advertising manager Mark Scown said the company was proud to be involved in such a successful event.
He said Beef Week remained a great opportunity for stud breeders to welcome visitors to their properties and showcase their breeding stock, as well as their sale bulls.
"We have experienced so many extremes in recent years in this great country of ours and finally parts are receiving rain," he said.
"It is amazing how quickly things change. Demand and prices for light feeder cattle have jumped dramatically, with the expectations for females to follow."
Mr Scown also commended the participants for the continual lift in consistency and producing "market-focused" cattle.
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