RAVEN Limousin and Lim-Flex stud achieved a total clearance at its annual bull sale at Field on Thursday last week.
The catalogue comprised of all black bulls. Nearly a third of these bulls were homozygous black and all but one bull was homozygous polled.
Raven stud principals Jason and Penny Schulz sold nine more bulls than last year, while achieving a $4000 jump in top price and a sale average increase of $2801. The 2021 sale top of $12,000 and $7863 average were both records for Raven.
Lot 2, Raven Quiver Q949, was the sale top at $12,000, selling to Phil and Jenny Clark, Naracoorte, with their agent, PPHS's Craig Gill.
Quiver was 21 months old and was the heaviest bull in the catalogue at 874 kilograms. Q949 was the first son of imported sire LFLC Denver 857D offered by Raven. Denver was strongly represented, with 10 sons in the catalogue.
Q949 had Estimated Breeding Values in the top 1 per cent for five traits and all Market $ Indices. Its figures included +4.6 for calving ease, -9.3 for gestation length, +37 for 200 day weight, +60 for 400 day weight, +74 for 600 day weight, and +5.4 eye muscle area.
"I was selecting for easy calving, black soft skin, smooth muscle, good frame, thick set with good figures," Mr Clark said.
He also secured Raven Quarter-Back Q81, weighing 856kg at 20 months of age and also sired by LFLC Denver 857D, for $10,000. Q81 had outstanding EBVs of +36 for 200 day weight, +64 for 400 day weight and +87 for 600 day weight.
In a testament to the even line-up of bulls, prices remained consistent right through the catalogue.
The volume buyer was Williams Cattle Company, with 10 bulls to $8000 (twice), averaging $6800.
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Wayne Williams attended the sale with Nutrien Balaklava's Kelly Evans.
"They are good versatile bulls with not too much condition that can handle the harsher station climate," Mr Evans said.
"The bulls will go to The Peake station north of William Creek and go over Angus cows. We have bought Raven bulls before and they can survive drought."
There were 26 registered buyers and good support from AuctionsPlus, with up to 52 users logging on throughout the sale and five bulls being bought via the online platform.
"Jason and Penny Schulz are devoted to the Limousin breed with a strong focus on genetics and data," Elders auctioneer Tony Wetherall said.
"Clients had the opportunity to operate right throughout the catalogue due to the depth of quality. It was a great result and the bulls were presented in ideal condition."
Mr Schulz said said he was pleased by the consistency of the bulls offered.
"We really appreciate the support of our repeat and new clients. I believe there is a strong market for black Limousin to complement the predominant black female herd in southern Australia," he said.
The sale was conducted by Elders Keith.
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