Bull sales calendar: Confidence in top seedstock genetics
Bulls with top genetics are expected to fetch strong returns in the upcoming selling season. Our calendar reveals who will sell what and when – as well as expert analysis.
The metrics that determine how beef sires sell in autumn are in, but industry experts say they expect autumn bulls to sell well despite warning signs from recent weaner sales.
Weaner calf sales didn’t hit the dizzying highs this year that they did in 2022. However, the herd has grown, and many weaners heifers from the January sales have returned to the paddock for joining.
That means there are more females to get in calf, and bull buying will always be a numbers game.
The Eastern Young Cattle Indicator has bounced around during opening sales in 2023 and is currently sitting at 761c/kg. This is 368c/kgless than at the same time last year.
Last year Angus bulls returned an average of $15,770 to gross $186 million across the breed.
Millah Murrah Angus Stud at Bathurst in NSW recorded a record average price during the spring sale of $43,633.
Whiteface cattle were also in demand in 2022, with a new Australian Hereford record for a yearling bull set at $91,000.
The 12-month-old Tobruk Southern Cross S15 was sold by vendor Damien Holloway from Wagga Wagga to Lachy and Lou Day from Days Whiteface at Bordertown, South Australia, via AuctionsPlus.
Injemira Beef Genetics at Book Book in southern NSW recorded a stellar average price for the Greening family of $20,565 when 92 bulls went under the hammer in February 2022.
Spry’s Shorthorns, south of Wagga, also achieved an outstanding average in 2022 of $20,182 for 44 bulls.
In August last year, a bull from the Futurity Shorthorn Stud at Baradine in NSW made a record high for the breed of $85,000.
Elders stud stock manager for Victoria and the Riverina Ross Milne said he expects the outlook at autumn sales to be positive.
Mr Milne from Hamilton said there was a correction during the weaner sales.
“Overall, the beef industry has been very good for the past two or three years, and there’s been good cow and heifer retention,” he said.
“Heifers are returning to the paddock to be joined after the weaner sales,” he said.
The sheer number of females to be joined will intensify interest in purchasing new seedstock sires.
“I think there’s a solid selling season in front of us,” he said.
Regarding numbers catalogued, Mr Milne expects the overall volume of bulls offered to be similar to 2022.
“In some areas, some sales, there will be an increase in number of five per cent,” he said.
Last year’s abundance of rain also meant the feed situation was in good shape.
“There’s been rain in a lot of areas that haven’t seen it for a while,” he said.
Reiland Angus principal Mark Lucas of Tumut predicts prices for seedstock to be back on the highs of 2022.
“I think we are going into a correction phase,” he said.
However, Mr Lucas said those standout elite animals would always draw buyers.
He said the tops in the industry could make big money in any year.
“I think the high-end animals will probably suffer the least,” he said.
Mr Lucas, who is also an agronomist, said input costs also potentially dampened spending capacity for livestock genetics.
“There are variables this year,” he said.
“If you look at the input costs of running and maintaining a property, those prices are still very high,” he said.
“You can’t get away without putting the inputs back into the country, particularly after two wet years,” he said.
Nutrien stud stock manager for South East Australia Ray Atwell said the future sales would not be as buoyant as last year.
“It’s a tough one; however, I think there are studs and established breeds that will be OK,” he said.
However, the good seasonal conditions meant that more females were in the paddock to be joined, which could help with the number of sires required.
“There are more females around because of the feed situation,” he said.
2023 BULL SALES CALENDAR
FEBRUARY
9 Maryvale Angus and Limousin, Kapunda, SA, 0407 959 837
9 Woonallee Simmentals, Millicent, SA, 0428 836 136
10 Goolagong Angus, Avenue, SA, 0428 836 136
10 Mount William Charolais, Willaura, 0417 502 692
10 Granite Ridge Angus, Kingston, SA, 0436 020 245
11 Newlyn Park Angus, Meadows, SA, 0417 821 251
11 Keringa Angus, Culburra, SA, 0429 965 167
13 Sterita Park Angus, Lucindale, SA, 0428 836 136
13 Yerwal Estate Angus, Lucindale, SA, 0428 836 136
13 Stoney Point Angus, Naracoorte, SA, 0418 758 683
13 Glentrevor Hereford, Finley, NSW, 0408 831 911
13 Yarram Park Herefords, Willaura, 0417 519 599
14 Glenellerslie Herefords, Adelong, NSW, 02 6946 4233
14 Nampara Angus, Mount Gambier, SA, 0427 696 084
15 Yavenvale Herefords, Adelong, NSW, 0458 465 141
15 Glatz’s Angus, Avenue Range, SA, 0428 400 411
15 Ennerdale Hereford, Woorndoo, 0428 836 136
15 Mandayen Limousin and Angus, Keith, SA, 0418 824 799
16 Pathfinder Angus, Naracoorte, SA, 0428 836 136
17 Boonaroo Angus, Casterton, 0408 587 780
17 Koetong Angus and Brewer Beef Black Simmentals, Bullioh, 0419 275 686
17 Goolagong Santa Gertrudis Angus, Warnertown, SA, 0408 813 215
17 Sunnylands Charolais, Penguin, TAS, 0418 133 595
17 Oak Downs Poll Hereford, Bordertown, SA, 0408 813 215
20 Allendale Poll Hereford, Bordertown, SA, 0429 782 711
20 Sugarloaf Creek Hereford, Corryong, 0457 591 929
20 Days Whiteface Poll Hereford, Bordertown, SA, 0408 813 215
21 Morganvale Poll Hereford, Keith, SA, 0408 813 215
21 Injemira Herefords, Book Book, NSW, 0411 043 039
22 Pathfinder Angus, Penshurst, 0427 529 335
23 Barwidgee Angus, Mortlake, 0428 998 329
23 Banquet Angus, Mortlake, 0427 529 335
24 Adameluca Angus, Barfold, 0457 591 929
24 Glendan Park Hereford, Barfold, 0457 591 929
27 Melville Park Hereford, Balmoral, (03) 5574 3236
27 Wilkah Herefords, Balmoral, 0427 529 335
27 Dunoon Angus, Holbrook, NSW, 0429 369 299
28 Lindsay Murray Grey, Casterton, 0427 529 335
28 Weeran Angus, Byaduk, 0429 787 258
MARCH
1 Te Mania Angus, Mortlake, 0429 952 197
1 Kirraweena Glenholme Hereford, Cootamundra, NSW, 0428 497 706
1 Tarcombe Hereford, Ruffy, 0439 257 693
1 Langi Kal Kal Angus, Ballarat, 0457 591 929
2 Wirruna Poll Hereford, Holbrook, NSW, 0408 637 267
2 Hicks Beefs, Holbrook, NSW, 0448 796 124
2 Murdeduke Angus, Winchelsea, 0407 319 967
3 Merridale Angus, Tennyson, NSW, 0428 882 209
3 Te-Mooi Speckle Park, Wangaratta, 0418 356 864
6 Good’n’windi Charolais, Millicent, SA, 0408 813 215
9 Riddellvue Angus, Markwood, 0418 367 209
9 Chateau Limousins, Wangaratta, 0438 755 810
10 Kenmere Charolais, Holbrook, NSW, 0412 608 043
14 Rennylea Angus, Culcairn, NSW, 0400 302 629
14 Dunlop Park Angus, Thirlstane, TAS, 0418 133 595
15 Londavra Angus, St Marys, TAS, 0418 133 595
15 Alpine Angus, Myrtleford, 0457 591 929
15 Bayview Shorthorns, Naracoorte, SA, 0407 606 831
15 Newcomen Hereford, Ensay, 0427 242 238
15 Nunniong Hereford, Ensay, 0457 591 929
16 Bowman Performance Genetics, Angus, Neerim South, 0437 172 748
16 Wattlewood Angus, Lang Lang, 0416 216 951
16 Stellar Angus, Myrtleford, 0457 591 929
16 Poll Shorthorns, Naracoorte, SA, 0408 813 215
17 Rangan Charolais, Sandy Creek, Victoria, 0419 429 696
17 Quarterway Angus, Scottsdale, TAS, 0409 210 055
17 Merlewood Angus, Mirboo North, 0425 862 941
17 Lawsons Angus, Yea, 0407 101 145
17 Jarobee Angus, Beechworth, 02 6032 4124
20 Mawarra Hereford, Longford, 0427 497 036
20 Landfall Angus, Launceston, TAS, 0417 506 163
21 Chale-Endfield Angus and Red Angus, Bishopsbourne, TAS, 0418 133 595
21 Karoonda Park Hereford, Gelantipy, 0457 591 929
21 Cluden Newry Angus, Longford, TAS, 0418 133 595
21 Tamaroo Angus, Powranna, TAS, 0418 133 595
21 Martindale Angus, Powranna, TAS, 0419 016 892
22 Pinora Angus, Heyfield, 0427 529 335
23 Kelly Angus, Yea, 0434 559 101
23 Kunuma Angus, Cooma, NSW, 0419 295 954
24 KO Angus, Gundagai, NSW, 0417 406 036
27 Woodbourn Murray Grey, Cressy, TAS, 0409 397 628
29 Dunroan Shorthorns, Latrobe, TAS, 0418 133 595
29 Absolute Angus, Trafalgar South, 0447 000 758
29 Green Triangle Murray Grey, Naracoorte, SA, 0427 849 779
APRIL
1 Pemberton Speckle Park, Southern Highlands, 0427 709 003
3 Leawood Angus, Flynn, 0427 529 335
12 Riga Angus, Mansfield, 0429 939 105
13 Quamby Plains Poll Hereford, Hagley, TAS, 0409 319 974
14 Guilford Poll Hereford, Ouse, TAS, 0427 871 444
19 Reiland Angus, Tumut, NSW, 0428 693 585
20 Belmore Shorthorn, Naracoorte, SA, 0427 849 779
21 Prime Angus, Warrenbayne, 0408 848 864
26 Spry’s Shorthorns and Angus, Wagga Wagga, NSW, 0428 651 481
27-28 Limousin National Show and Sale, Holbrook, NSW
MAY
4 Hazeldean Angus, Cooma, NSW, 0436 015 115
9-11 Hereford National Show & Sale, Wodonga
13 Murray Grey National Show & Sale, Holbrook, NSW
13 Black Diamond Speckle Park, Echuca, 0427 529 335
15 Bongongo Angus, Gundagai, NSW, 0428 245 208
JUNE
6 Poll Hereford National Show & Sale, Dubbo, NSW
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