Big improvement in Keringa's clearance

The sale topped at $8000 twice, firstly for lot 1, Keringa Liberty P4 - a son of Nampara Liberty L21, which Keringa bought in partnership with Ascot Angus for $85,000 in 2017.

Liberty P4 was born early, and from a very low birthweight of just 27 kilograms hit the ground running and never looked back. It boasted estimated breeding values of +3.6 for birthweight, +45 for 200-day weight, +85 for 400-day weight and +114 for 600-day weight.

The second bull to hit $8000 was Keringa P130, a spring-drop son of Spickler Chisum 255.

Lot 45 was a son of donor cow Keringa Melody L85 with figures of +4.1BW, +51 for 200-day weight, +87 for 400-day weight and +108 for 600-day weight. Keringa is retaining semen in this stylish young bull.

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Both $8000 bulls were knocked down to George Verco, Marcollat Pastoral, who bought four bulls in total, averaging $7000.

Marcollat Pastoral has been buying top-end Keringa bulls for three years, selecting on phenotype first and then chasing calving ease, high growth and positive fats. They join 650 females and have increased heifer numbers to join this year as they can see the improvement in their cattle.

Nampara Liberty L21 had a big impact on this year's Keringa line-up, with 23 sons catalogued. Eleven sons of Spickler Chisum were on offer, along with nine by Karoo D62 Docklands K153.

Volume buyers included Kangaringa Farms, Keith, with 17 bulls to $6000 twice, averaging $4265, KW&BF Badenoch, Mount Gambier, with eight bulls to $7000 twice, averaging $5375 and Hillcrest Pastoral, with six to $6500, averaging $5333.

Keringa stud principal Trent Walker said he was pleased the good feedback he had received about the line-up translated into a strong clearance.

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"It was pleasing to have a good clearance with no pastoral orders, with bulls selling predominately from the Adelaide Hills to throughout the South East to return and new clients," he said.

Elders Keith were the settling agents, with Laryn Gogel the auctioneer.

"The offering was a good run of industry acceptable bulls with the offering focusing on younger spring-drop bulls becoming more accepted by buyers," Mr Gogel said.

"It was a good result for only the second sale for Keringa and they really are in a strong position moving forward with large numbers and an excellent cow herd. They are doing a large embryo transfer and artificial breeding program."

He said it was a credit to Keringa that it had a large number of quality Nampara Liberty L21 sons throughout the catalogue, three years after buying the stud sire.