ROSELEIGH Angus stud more than doubled its 2020 auction average at its annual bull sale on Tuesday last week, averaging an impressive $13,272 and setting a new stud record top price of $20,000 in the process.
The results - which included a total clearance of 33 bulls - far exceeded last year's sale, when 30 of 33 bulls topped at $14,000 and averaged $6450.
The Cowley family's sale, held at the Mandayen selling complex, Willalooka, began on an emotional note, with Ron Cowley being presented a life membership to Angus Australia for service to the breed.
The $20,000 top price was paid for Roseleigh Quarterback Q19, sired by Koupals B7B Identity and from Roseleigh Sarah L62. The Sarah cow family is Roseleigh's most consistent cow family.
Q19 had an actual birthweight of 36 kilograms and Trans Tasman Angus Cattle Evaluation figures of +4.7 for birthweight, +50 for 200 day growth, +94 for 400 day growth and +118 for 600 day growth, and sold to Venturon Livestock, Boyup Brook, WA, operating through H Francis & Co's Scott Myers, Wagga Wagga, NSW.
"Q19 was selected as a sleep easy heifer bull with a good front end that had strong positive fats on Breedplan," Mr Myers said. "He was a sound structured, quiet bull with good testicles."
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Making the second-highest price of $18,000 was lot 6, Roseleigh Q18, a son of Musgrave 316 Stunner. Q18 was bought by N&J Nutt, Keith, who also secured lot 2, Roseleigh Q35, a son of Mandayen Complement L464, for $16,000.
Dilbong Pastoral Co, Tara, Qld bought four bulls to $17,000, averaging $13,625, while Bralyn Nominees, Wasleys, also bought four bulls, paying to $14,000 three times and averaging $12,000.
The sale had 33 registered buyers with strong local support, although bulls sold to four states, ensuring plenty of competition right throughout the catalogue. Only four bulls late in the catalogue made less than $10,000, with 29 bulls selling between $10,000 and $20,000.
Glentanner Angus stud, Kongorong, secured a new stud sire in Roseleigh Qantas Q1 for $14,000. Q1 was sired by Sitz Upward and will be used to back up AI cow joinings.
Q1 was a March 2019-drop weighing 940kg, with an eye muscle area of 114 square centimetres and a 43cm scrotal circumference.
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Roseleigh stud principal Mat Cowley was "completely blown away" by with the result.
"We aim to improve our bulls each year, selecting for a moderate animal with softness and doing ability with good bone and a strong head," he said.
Spence Dix & Co conducted the sale, with auctioneer Dean Coddington noting there were "a lot of new buyers".
"It was an unbelievable result for the Cowley family, who offered a very even line of bulls," he said. "The sale reflected the bulls on offer and the current cattle industry and was strong throughout."
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