SALE SUMMARY
2021 2020
Offered 53 44
Sold 45 39
Top $13,500 $12,000
Av $7022 $7089
A BULL with "eye appeal" captured the bidders interest at the Morganvale 15th annual on-property bull sale at Willalooka on Tuesday.
During the auction, 45 of the 53 bulls sold to a high of $13,500 and an average $7022.
The top price was paid for Morganvale Quikki Q50, an 852-kilogram, 23-month-old son of Mount Difficult Kearney.
Among its estimated breeding values, it had a scrotal figure of +4.6, which is in the top 1 per cent for the breed, as well as a birth weight of +3.3, 200 day-weight of +37 and 400 day-weight of +69, and calving ease of +8.6 - with those last two figures among the top 10pc in the breed.
Buyers Richard and Shan Morgan, Ballyrogan, Vic, have been attending the Morganvale sale for a number of years.
"(Quikki) had good softness, good length and great eye appeal," Richard said.
"It's just a beautiful bull."
Morganvale principal Allan Morgan said it was a "complete, all-round bull".
"It has the softness, easy-doing ability we're trying to breed with a good carcase," he said.
Richard and Shan picked up four bulls in total, including the equal second-top Morgan Quixoye Q078 at $10,500.
The 806kg, 21-month-old son of Morganvale Laverton was among the breed's top 5pc with an eye muscle area EBV of +5.8, rib fat of +1.8 and rump fat of +2.8, while the calving ease of +9.1 and scrotal of +3.0 are among the top 10pc.
Richard said this bull would be joined with the heifers in their weaner operation.
Overall, Richard and Shan Morgan averaged $9750 for their four bulls.
Also paying the $10,500 second highest price was another repeat buyer PL&Y Walladge, through Elders Keith.
That was paid for Morganvale Qualification Q361, a 778kg, 18-month-old son of Wirruna Melville M243.
The bull had a -0.2 birth weight EBV, as well as a +7.2EMA and +8.7 daughter calving ease - both in the top 1pc of the breed, as well as +10.9 direct calving ease, +2.1 rib fat, +2.8 rump fat and +1.9 intramuscular fat - in the top 10pc.
The Walladges bought three bulls, averaging $7833.
The sale's volume buyer was return client Stuart Vale Pastoral, Burra, with five bulls to $6000, averaging $5200.
PS&KE Vanderpeer, through Elders Keith, bought four bulls to $7000, averaging $5500.
Allan Morgan said he was pleased to see the support from the crowd.
He said the past year had shown the resilience of the agricultural industry, in particular the red meat sector.
The sale was conducted by Elders and Nutrien Livestock, with Elders' Ross Milne and Nutrien's Gordon Wood sharing the auctioneering duties, while the sale was also simulcast on AuctionsPlus.
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