Goolagong celebrates record for Mid North sale

Of 79 bulls offered, 78 sold to a top of $16,000 and a healthy average of $8718 - slightly back on last years average by $443, when 70 bulls were offered and sold.

In the Angus offering, all 56 offered, were sold, with an $8786 average, while in the Santa Gertrudis-cross offering, 22 bulls were offered with 21 sold to a top of $10,000, seven times, and a $8500 average.

Goolagong Quarterback T22 was penned at Lot 37 and took many by surprise when the bids flowed to $16,000 from top price buyer of the 2023 Mid North sale, BT&E Ling, Mount Benson, Kingston SE.

The 18-month-old top price bull weighed 700-kilograms and was sired by Murdeduke Quarterback Q011, with a scrotal circumference of 41 centimetres.

Lot 37 had estimated breeding values in the top 2 per cent for docility at +42 and gestational length with a -10.2, and in the top 4pc with +8.8 for calving ease direct.

It also had a +3.2 for rump fat, which placed it within the top 6pc of EBVs, while its birthweight was +2.0 and 13pc.

Commercial buyers Brian and Alex Ling said they were chasing a low birth weight and early growth in a bull to put with their Angus heifers.

"They're both our main factors and he just seemed fantastic on both figures," Alex said.

Brian said the top price bull was backing up their AI program.

"We do one round of AI and then we will put him over the rest," he said.

He said some of his heifers had been going through the HB Rural feedlot side of Goolagong's enterprise.

The Lings also bought Lot 2, Goolagong Capitalist T5, a 787kg, April 2022-drop, sired by Glenfern Capitalist Q26, at $8000.

Goolagong stud principal Heath Tiller said Quarterback had been a good calf and true to their breeding values of consistent and even bulls.

"I think that really showed today," he said.

"He is from a good cow family and was very quiet - he will go on and do a great job."

He said the Lings were returning buyers and had been present in the South East sale.

"It was great to see them make the trip up and purchase again," he said.

Mr Tiller said he offered an increase of numbers due to having an increase in demand.

"We are breeding more and more each year now just to help supply our clients," he said.

"It's a pleasure when the day goes off so well."

Nutrien studstock Richard Miller said the sale had a fantastic result for the Tiller family and Goolagong.

"To offer another 10 or a dozen bulls more than last year we sold best part of 80 bulls today, it's been an outstanding result," he said.

"It's been hit and miss in the north in terms of rainfall, so some of the station, pastoral buyers have had rain and others haven't but good to see them still investing in good genetics and going forward.

"(Lot 37) would have been selected because of his calving ease, low birth weight, high growth and just all round fleshing ability and high performance.

"Good to see him go to the same home as last years top."

The sale was an opportunity for buyers in the pastoral and Mid North regions to pick up bulls closer to home.

Repeat buyers Pandurra Pastoral, picked up the most bulls across the sale with eight Santa Gertrudis-cross, and four Angus cattle heading home to Oakden Hills, while a further two Angus bulls were purchased under the Curnamona property.

Five of the purchases reached a top of $10,000 while the 14 lots averaged $9036.

Pandurra Pastoral overseer Lochie Heinjus, Crystal Brook, said the bulls would be going over Droughtmaster-Santa Gertrudis cross heifers.

"They have got decent bulls and it's local to us," he said.

"It's the second year we have returned and we are only just now producing heifers so later in the year we hope to be able to put them through the HB Rural Feedlot."

Mr Tiller said it was great to see the Nutt family back.

"They have been strong in supporting us," he said.

"Gidgealpa, Cameron Paul, Simon Aldridge and the boys from Port Augusta, have a lot of return clients - the Bells from Dulkaninna, Greenfields and Williams Cattle Co, it's just great to see.

"Then there were lots of locals here, such as the Waterman family and Canowie Cattle Co which has been tremendous."

Saltbush Ag were among volume buyers snapping up 10 to a top of $10,000 twice and an $8400 av, while Billa Kalina Pastoral Co, bought five to a top of $10,000(x3) and a $9200av.

Barns Pastoral, bought eight of the Santa Gertrudis-cross offering to a top of $10,000 twice and an $8688 av.

Mr Miller said most of the buyers present were repeat with a couple new buyers in the Santa Gertrudis-cross part of the sale.

"It was pleasing to see that the sale was underpinned by three or four different budgets but volume all the way through," he said.