THERE were light showers during the Hazeldean Angus SA sale at Willalooka on Tuesday afternoon, but bids flew thick and fast in a full clearance of 51 bulls.
The sale was a resounding success for the Litchfield family, with the average of $7676 and top of $16,000 far exceeding the 2019 marks.
Bea Litchfield, who manages the Cooma, NSW, based stud alongside partner Ed Bradley, and parents Jim and Libby, said the team - including SA-based Guy Cunningham - were extremely happy with how the bulls sold.
"They were a very even line of bulls, which is what we focus on, and it was good to see the IMF bulls selling well," she said.
"There were repeat clients and a few new faces within the buying gallery, which was good."
The sale average was up $2208 on 2019, with Ms Litchfield putting the increase down to rain and their bulls' versatility.
"There has been rain and there's probably a fair few people joining heifers this season," she said.
"We've got bulls with great calving ease and that still have the growth in them coupled with the carcase so it's a complete package for anyone.
"You can use them over heifers and cows and breed decent steers so it's good to see it being reflected in the prices."
Among those consistently high prices was the pinnacle of $16,000 paid for lot 4 by D Brown Pastoral Company, through Landmark Naracoorte.
The bull - Hazeldean P559 - was an August 2018-drop AI son of Hazeldean F1023 and out of Hazeldean J865, with Breedplan growth figures in the top 5 per cent of the breed, as well as top 5pc rankings in all selection indexes.
In total, D Brown Pastoral Company bought six bulls, averaging $9167.
Another bull which attracted significant bidding competition was Hazeldean P131, an AI son of LD Capitalist 316 and out of Hazeldean G112.
The bull was lot 1 and set the tone for the sale, being knocked down to Everest Farm, through Pinkerton Palm Hamlyn & Steen, for $13,500.
It also boasted top 5 pc Breedplan figures for growth and ranked in the top 10pc in all selection indexes.
Volume buyers at Hazeldean included Hillcrest Pastoral Company, Avenue Range, which bought six bulls to $9000, averaging $7750.
GA Young & Sons, Kalangadoo, bought five bulls to $6500, averaging $5000, while Boonoonar Partnership, Keilira, took home four bulls to $9000 twice, averaging $8125.
Erinka Pty Ltd, Woodside, bought three bulls to $8000, averaging $6333.
Spence Dix & Co and PPHS were the selling agents, with Jono Spence and Josh Manser the auctioneers.
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