Autumn bull sales: How the herd rebuild will impact demand

What will producers be looking for at upcoming autumn bull sales as the nation rebuilds an historically-low herd? Here’s what the experts have to say.

Producers across southern Australia are busy preparing for upcoming autumn bull sales. Photo by Chloe Smith.

AFTER years of devastating drought, the result of which drove the national herd to historic lows, producers are now gearing up for autumn bull sales with a renewed focus on traits best suited to replenish depleted stock numbers.

Angus Australia extension manager Andrew Byrne said any herd rebuild period traditionally signified a greater number of producers joining heifers.

“There’s a greater focus on calving ease. What we’re expecting, and we saw it a lot during the spring bull selling period, was a greater emphasis than normal on the calving ease traits when making bull selections,” Mr Byrne said.

“The Angus breed is quite well placed to provide for that. Angus breeders over the last 10 to 20 years have done a great job of putting extra growth into their cattle, without increasing weight at birth, and increased calving ease over those years.”

Mr Byrne said there was a “noticeable” sense of optimism across the beef industry, despite the challenges of the coronavirus outbreak and prices reach all-time highs.

“Certainly, the challenge for people whose stock numbers are less than usual, is how they can increase those numbers as quickly as possible, in a sustainable fashion,” Mr Byrne said.

“Speaking from a bull perspective, we always see a very strong relationship with the bull sale price averages and the Eastern Young Cattle Indicator.”

Last week, the EYCI broke yet another successive price record when it reached 872c/kg.

This time last year, the EYCI was 525.25c/kg, signifying a lift of more than 340c/kg.

While prices for autumn bulls could rise compared to same time last year, Mr Byrne said the strength of genetic traits presented “value for money” when integrating into an existing herd.

“In terms of within the Angus breed, the Angus bills available this autumn compared to last autumn, their improved genetics will deliver on average $5 per cow joined more profit, in an average Angus production system in southern Australia,” Mr Byrne said.

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