LANCASTER black Simmental stud's versatile and consistent genetic package was "as-clear-as-day" in the sale ring at its on-property sale at Meningie on Friday, with 58 of the 61 bulls offered sold to a top a $12,000.
Buyers' desire to secure the stud's latest "well-balanced" genetics outweighed any concerns about the season ahead and helped the stud to a $6370 sale average, $268 up on last year.
Brewer Beef Pastoral's David Brewer made the final bid to secure the $12,000 top price bull, LCS Photogenic.
"We have been pipped at the post many times when trying to secure the top bull at past Lancaster sales," he said.
Sired by CCR Cowboy Cut 5048Z, Photogenic was "easy on the eye" according to Mr Brewer.
It weighed 802-kilograms and had a scrotal circumference of 43 centimetres.
A July 2018-drop, it ranked in the top 10 per cent of the breed for marbling and rib eye area, top 1pc for docility and 2pc for carcase weight.
Mr Brewer runs about 750 commercial breeders and a black simmental stud, Brewer Beef, that also runs Simmental/Angus bulls.
"We look for well-balanced animals and Lancaster's consistent genetic package was as clear as day this season," he said.
"We utilise the bulls in the stud for about three years before joining them to commercial females."
Mr Brewer said he chased high-growth figures and so far, "it had transpired into progeny".
Wooding & Co, Maaoupe, bought the $10,000 second-highest price bull, and a further four, averaging $8600.
LCS Promotion was also a son of CCR Cowboy Cut and weighed 738kg with a scrotal circumference of 41cm.
It ranked in the top 10pc for marbling and rib eye area, and in the top 15pc for carcase weight as well as the top 2pc for docility.
The sale volume buyers were Bruce Coonor, Connor Pastoral, Tintinara, who secured 15 bulls to $8500, averaging $6233.
Amherst Livestock, Marcollat, bought eight bulls to $7500, averaging $5812.
Co-principal Henry Cartledge said the main focus this season was to clear as many sale bulls as possible.
"Although the cattle market is buoyant, the cow herd is very low and a lot of people are still not sure about the season ahead, so we are really pleased we sold so many," he said.
The sale was conducted by Spence Dix & Co Keith with director Jono Spence and Luke Schreiber sharing the auctioneer duties.