Barwidgee Angus sale results “offer value” says vendor

It was anything but a black day for the Barwidgee Angus stud at Caramut, where the clearance was down but the top was $18,000.

Bull prices have come down to more realistic levelsaccording to one Angus stud principal whose offering averaged $9021 last week.

Barwidgee Angus at Caramut sold 47 of the 68 bulls it offered at auction to a top of $18,000 and while principal Wendy Kelly said the clearance was “a bit disappointing”, she said buyers received value.

“Bulls last year perhaps were too expensive and $8000 to $10,000 is probably more than enough for a commercial producer to spend,” Ms Kelly said.

Barwidgee owner David Kelly with his bulls. PICTURE: ZOE PHILLIPS

Yet the top end commercial producers looking for specific traits are prepared to spend more, Ms Kelly said, and that included the buyers of the top priced lot which went for $18,000.

“These were repeat buyers with a commercial herd and I think that what it showed was when someone has a pretty good herd already and is looking for something specific to influence it in some way, they will spend accordingly.”

Ms Kelly said the top-price bull was more moderate in frame score but was thick, and came with moderate birthweight, and strong figures for both growth and carcass attributes. It was sired by Baldridge Compass C041.

Barwidgee Angus farm manager Lachy Dzioba with Bec and Ric Manifold from Hexham. PICTURE: ZOE PHILLIPS

Ms Kelly said it could be difficult to pick the requirements of clients, and this year was clearly a year where they did not need as many bulls.

“I just think we had 10 too many bulls for what our clients were chasing at this time of year,” she said.s