Commercial producers chasing growth, eye muscle area and positive fats pushed prices to $20,000 at the recent Reiland Angus autumn bull sale.

Interfaced with AuctionsPlus, the sale was hosted by the Lucas family at Killimicat Station, Tumut and drew 33 registered buyers.

A total of 66 bulls were sold under the hammer from the 73 offered to a top of $20,000 and average of $8333. Five bulls were sold immediately after the sale.

Repeat clients, Ian and Marcus Clarke of Ournie, secured the top price bull, Lot 36 Reiland Tudor T956, an August 2022 drop son of Stoney Point Kingpin K211, for $20,000.

Weighing 832kg, Tudor had a moderate birthweight estimated breeding value (EBV) of +5.0, a 600-day weight of +149kg, eye muscle area (EMA) of +9.6sqcm, intramuscular fat (IMF) of +2.0 per cent, positive rib and rump fat, and positive calving ease.

Marcus Clarke liked the stylish young sire’s positive fats and exceptionally high growth for the family’s 400 cow autumn and spring calving herd.

“We also look at the milk on the maternal side for retaining heifers,” he added.

“He will be joined to the first calvers this autumn.”

The Clarke family sold Reiland blood autumn drop steers weighing 396kg and aged 10 to 11 months in January on AuctionsPlus for $1460.

“We are looking for bulls with growth, intramuscular fat, positive rib and rump fat and calving ease to go over heifers,” Marcus said.

The second top price of $18,000 was reached three times with repeat clients Dick and Jenny Turnbull, Holbrook, purchasing Lot 5, Reiland Thorn T1261; Graham and Judy Houston, Houston Pastoral, Burrowye taking home Lot 22 Reiland Thousand T343; and Proudford Agriculture, Narrawa buying Lot 13 Reiland Target T914.

Mr and Mrs Turnbull purchased a total of five bulls. The couple were selecting bulls with positive or neutral rib and rump fat EBVs to boost female fertility in dry seasons.

Reiland Angus co-principal, Mark Lucas, was pleased with the sale outcome and onboarding of six new clients from Victoria, local districts and Queensland.

“We had some trepidation in the lead up with the season and there is no doubt a cloud over the beef industry still but we met the market forecast wise and buyers got a good article,” Mr Lucas said.

“We appreciate the loyal support and bidding. We have our sights firmly set on breeding bulls that will deliver profit.”

Guest auctioneer Brian Leslie complimented Reiland on presenting a consistent line of quality bulls.

“Past buyers return here so it is telling us the article does the job,” he said.

“An average of $8333 and a top of $20,000 is good for everybody considering the year.

“Producers will keep buying those good genetics which means when the market turns, they will have the right article to sell.

“There was a lot of competition online, particularly from Victoria.”

Duty agents were Elders Wagga Wagga and Tumut/Adelong.

This article appeared in the Corryong Courier, 25 April 2024.