BULLS are heading to three states following on from the 10th annual combined Kerlson Pines and Oak Downs on-property bull sale at Keith on Tuesday.
The sale reached a top of $16,000 and an average $8017 for the 29 bulls sold during the auction from the 55 offered from the two studs.
Another four sold shortly after the auction finished.
The top price was reached early, at lot two, for Kerlson Pines New York Q003, a massive 23-month-old son of Allendale Gambler, which was bought for $40,000.
Its dam, Kerlson Pines Last Day 24, was the senior and grand champion at the Royal Adelaide Show in 2017 and 2019.
The 1028-kilogram bull had a 44-centimetre scrotal circumference as well as estimated breeding values that included an eye muscle area of +6.6 - in the top 5 per cent of the breed - as well as +1.3 rib fat, +2.3 rump fat and 400 day weight of +65, which are all the breed's top 10pc.
Buyers David Lloyd and Julie Lloyd of MJ Lloyd, Reedy Creek, said the bull would be a new bloodline for the breeding herd.
Mr Lloyd said the bull stood out with its size, particularly given its age but still maintained that softness.
The Lloyds run a self-replacing herd, as well as selling cattle into the feedlot markets and direct on-hooks, with Mr Lloyd saying it was important to keep the balance between growth and maternal traits in their breeding.
In total, they bought four bulls - three from Kerlson Pines and one from Oak Downs - during the sale, averaging $9625, as well as a fifth shortly afterwards.
Kerlson Pines manager Mark Wilson said the top price bull was the "type of bull we want to breed".
"It's length and weight-for-age and muscle content is extraordinary," he said.
"To be 1028kg at 23 months with that moderate frame and early growth."
In the breakdown, 11 of 28 Kerlson Pines bulls sold under the hammer to the $16,000 top for an average $8727.
Mr Wilson said the sale performed well for the top end.
"The bulls that sold, sold well," he said.
"People had the bulls picked out that they wanted and bought the bulls they wanted to buy."
Of the 27 Oak Down bulls offered, 18 sold at auction to $12,000, averaging $7583.
The top price Oak Downs bull was Oak Downs Oryx Q211, a 854kg, 22-month-old son of Oak Downs Kalumburu with a 21cm scrotal circumference.
It was bought by RS Rundell, Breakaway Creek, Vic, which bought another Oak Downs bull, averaging $9500.
Oak Downs principal Andrew Schwarz said he was pleased with how the top end of the sale performed.
"Buyers got out what they were after," he said.
He said there were a lot of repeat clients, as well as some new buyers at the sale.
Among the volume buyers were Hillcrest Pastoral, Avenue Range, with four bulls to $10,000, averaging $7250, and PS&KW Vanderpeer, Kingston, also with four bulls to $8500, averaging $6625.
Bulls also sold to Hay, NSW, Broken Hill, NSW, Henty, Vic, and Portland, Vic, as well as in SA.
The sale was conducted by Elders and Nutrien Livestock with Elders' Ross Milne and Nutrien's Gordon Wood acting as auctioneers.
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Elizabeth Anderson
Editor of Stock Journal.
Editor of Stock Journal.
