Big studs return impressive averages for their Victorian sales

Travel restrictions did little to affect the latest week of bull sales, with many notable studs achieving over $10,000 averages.

Barwidgee Angus bull sold at their sale last year. This year Barwidgee achieved a stud record top price of $25,000 and an average of $10,549. Picture: Zoe Phillips

It was a big week for Victorian bull sales with some of the big names returning over $10,000 averages amid ongoing local and interstate restrictions.

The Victorian sale rendition of popular South Australian stud Stoney Point Angus was one such success achieving a $10,600 average for their 40 bulls sold to full clearance to a top of $28,000.

However, with the sale held in Hamilton last week, stud principal Perry Gunner said he was “very disappointed” not to be able to cross the border to attend due to restrictions.

“It’s always better to be there in person and be able to speak to the clients; we certainly had one hand tied behind our backs in that regard,” Mr Gunner said.

“It was very frustrating, and the same thing happened last year. We’ve got one more sale this time next year and if there’s still Covid restrictions then, heaven help us,” he said.

The Stoney Point stud is gradually dispersing the stud over the next couple of years as Mr Gunner moves into a slower paced retirement with the final bull sale at Naracoorte in February 2023.

Kunuma Angus was another interstate stud who has seen huge success from their Victoria sale, but were similarly held back from attending this year.

Kunuma co stud principals Mitch and Dean Lynch cleared all 21 Angus bulls offered to a top of $15,500 to average $11,131, well surpassing their results from last year and up $2931 from their autumn bull sale average of $8200.

“It was a very strong sale. It was all local buyers and I think our Victorian clients held back to buy at that sale and see (the bulls) in person,” Mr Lynch said.

Kunuma’s main sale at Cooma, NSW sold 18 bulls to full clearance to averaged $11,200.

“We’ve never ever had averages like that for both sales and it was strong all the way through,” Mr Lynch said.

Other notable Victorian studs Weeran Angus at and Barwidgee Angus both pushed above $10,000 averages. Barwidgee Angus sold 52 Angus to full clearance for an average of $10,549 and record stud top price of $25,000 while Weeran Angus sold 58 Angus bulls to full clearance to a top of $30,000 and average $12,551.