"CONSISTENT" genetic progress and rainfall in the northern parts of the country undoubtedly helped the sixth on-property Walmona Santa Gertrudis Invitational sale at Neales Flat to an $11,500 top price, as station operators begin to regain their confidence after prolonged drought conditions.
In Friday's sale, Walmona, Neales Flat, offered 24 bulls, while Nangaringa, Loxton, offered four, as did Seymour Vale, Tungkillo.
The sale topped at $11,500, averaging $6095, with Walmona selling 16 to $11,500, averaging $6218, while Nangaringa had a total clearance to a top of $8000, averaging $6000.
The $11,500 top price bull was offered by Walmona and sold to AD&JM Nock, Mundubbera, Qld, through Nutrien Ag Solutions Wandoan, Qld.
The 772-kilogram, 19-month-old bull was sired by Waco Morris M192. It had a 1.25kg daily weight gain and a 35-centimetre scrotal circumference.
Walmona Brandon WAL19MQ14 had a 127 square centimetre eye muscle area with 9 millimetres rib fat and 11mm rump fat.
Walmona stud principal Michael Doering was pleased with the sale's clearance and despite fewer station clients operating, the recent rain had provided confidence.
"The top price bull was a full brother to last year's equal top price bull and it was exciting to see it enter a stud in Qld," he said.
"We were going to retain the second-highest price bull but we really wanted to offer the highest quality and most even line we could to attract as many buyers.
"I hoped a few more stations operated but many have already bought cows in calf instead of needing bulls this year."
The second-highest price bull, Walmona Baron (P) WAL19MQ43, was also from Walmona stud and made $10,500, selling to Nangaringa's Dick Fogden.
Sired by Waco Morris M192 (P) WAC16MM192, the 17-month-old bull weighed 722kg and had a 1.29kg daily weight gain and a 38cm scrotal circumference.
It also had 121sqcm EMA with 14mm rib fat and 16mm rump fat.
Not originally expecting to purchase a bull, Mr Fogden, Loxton, made the final bid on Walmona Baron to enter the family's stud.
"It has a very good top line and is docile. It is a good boned bull that is neat in the sheath," he said.
The bull will be used over stud females in three months.
The sale's volume buyer was Mount Doreen station, Alice Springs, NT, which bought nine bulls to $8000, averaging $5666, while Cawarve Pastoral Company, Port Augusta, bought five bulls to $5000.
Corey Ferrari bought two bulls to $6000 through Elders Camperdown, Vic.
Elders stud stock's Tony Wetherall said the past few years had been tough for the studs because of drought conditions and it was encouraging to gain a positive result this year.
"The quality was high with consistent genetics. The performance of the bulls was clear," he said.
"Offering younger bulls attracts buyers, too. It allows time for them to acclimatise a lot of young bulls ready to go out - a lot of people want to take them home and acclimatise, and then join, so it offers longevity."
The sale was conducted by Nutrien Ag Solutions Beaton Agencies Kapunda and Elders Roseworthy with Mr Wetherall as auctioneer.
-VANESSA BINKS
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