Goolagong stud earns big money on Lotto

Goolagong has not only invested heavily on the new infrastructure, but also in new genetics, which the Tiller family were rewarded for, with clients increasing their sale average on the 2021 sale.

This year, they sold 58 Angus bulls from 61 offered, to a new stud record price of $20,000, averaging $10,138.

The top bull, Goolagong Lotto R4, sold to Moorara Pastoral, Pooncarie, NSW, via AuctionsPlus.

The 23-month-old, sired by Esselmont Lotto L3, had EBVs of +6.7 for bodyweight, +69 for 200-day weight, +125 for 400-day WT, +172 for 600-day WT, +6.7 for eye muscle area and +3 for intramuscular fat.

It also weighed 918 kilograms, with a 47-centimetre scrotal circumference, 109 squarecm EMA, 5-millimetre rib fat, 7mm rump fat and and 6.5 IMF.

The second-highest price Angus bull was $19,000 Goolagong Beast Mode R40, which sold to Waterman Rural, Melrose. Its EBVs were +5.5 BWT, +69 200WT, +112 400WT, +155 600WT, +7.6 EMA and +1.1 IMF.

There were 27 registered buyers and many of these came from pastoral areas.

Cameron Paul, Nutrien Port Augusta, was very active throughout the sale, on behalf of clients such as Saltbush Ag, Barns Pastoral, Dulkaninna Station and Billa Kalina Pastoral, securing 33 bulls in total.

Elders Port Augusta secured seven bulls for clients, including The Oaks, RJ Michael and Yadlamalka Pastoral.

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Saltbush Ag was the sale's major buyer with 13 Angus bulls, averaging $11,615.

The bulls will be used at their Roxby Downs and Coober Pedy stations that have received between 100-200mm of rain since January.

Jack Handbury, Saltbush Ag, said they have been buying cattle from NSW, WA and northern SA to rebuild to capacity.

"We select for calving ease, growth and fats. Our steers are backgrounded in the South East before selling to feedlotters," he said.

Return buyer Broad Cattle Company bought 10 Angus bulls, averaging $7500.

Goolagong has been working on its purpose-bred Sangus bulls for pastoral buyers.

Their 12 Sangus bulls sold to $13,000, averaging $8833 - $1000 up on the 2021 sale.

These sold to four different properties, with the $13,000 bull going to Lingalonga Farming, Warramboo.

Jason and Jayne-Marie Barns, Barns Pastoral, Gidgealpa Station, Moomba, bought 12 bulls - six Angus and six Sangus, averaging $9250 - which will be used over mixed cows, with emphasis on "walking long distances, survivability, calves on the ground and ease of management".

The Bell Family, Dulkaninna Station, Maree, who also had 300mm of rain in January, bought one Angus and four Sangus bulls, averaging $8600, to be used over Angus and Angus-cross cows

Andrew Clarke, Allendale Station, Oodnadatta, received 180mm of rain over 14 days in January, setting them up for the next 12-18 months.

Mr Clarke bought seven bulls including three Angus, two Santa Gertrudis and one Sangus bull for a $9000.

Goolagong also offered eight Santa Gertrudis bulls, selling six to $13,000, averaging $7833.

The top price Santa Gertrudis bull - Goolagong Rudolph R63 - was sired by Goolagong Neptune and weighed 772kg at 21 months with a 110sqcm EMA. It was purchased by Crouch Ag, Wanderah.

P&D Conroy, The Gambler stud, Ballarat, Vic, purchased the first Santa bull offered as lot 76 - Goolagong Reefa - a son of Warrenda Lance L20 for $10,000.

A pleased Goolagong principal Heath Tiller made special mention of his family and Goolagong staff for their work leading into the sale.

He also thanked their pastoral clients for their support.

"We had long term buyers from the north and south and some new buyers," he said.

"We are expanding and will calve down 600 cows this year aiming to breed a consistent line of adaptable sale bulls."

Nutrien conducted the sale, with auctioneers Richard Miller and Gordon Wood.