Bulls sell to $18,000

The Kelly Angus bull sale posted an 86 per cent clearance rate and a top of $18,000 today.

Bulls sold to a top of $18,000 at the Kelly Angus bull sale at Yea today.

Overall 44 bulls sold from 52 offered, for an 86 per cent clearance, for an average of $7477.

This compares to last year when 63 bulls sold from 66 offered for an average of $8106, to a top of $32,000.

The top bull, Kelly Angus T697, was sired by Kelly Angus Ringleader R232, and was out of Kelly Angus Trailblazer R31. He was the dam’s first calf and the highest ABI bull in the sale.

The 19-month-old bull had Estimated Breeding Value figures of +2.3 for birth weight, +6.5 for intramuscular fat and +157 for 600 day weight.

The top bull weighed 639kg and had a scrotal circumference of 36cm.

Lachie McKenzie of Bruanlea at Tarrenlea was the buyer of the top bull.

Joining 600 Angus cows a year, Mr McKenzie said the bull would have semen collected soon and then would be used within their artificial insemination program for spring heifers.

Having purchased bulls from Kelly Angus previously, Mr McKenzie said T697 was a “standout”.

“We had to pay the top price for him, but he was the bull we were after. We would have paid more money for him too,” he said.

Mr McKenzie said the bull’s docility, growth and IMF were unique and what they were after.

“It’s rare to find a bull with low birth weight and the 400-day growth he has, so the rapid growth and easy calving is what we wanted.”

Kelly Angus manager Pat Joyce said it was a “great sale” and they cleared more bulls than they anticipated in the current climate.

“Bulls keep performing for everybody, and it was a great sale considering the cattle market,” Mr Joyce said.

He said 95 per cent of the bulls sold within a 50km radius.

Major buyers were John Scott from Gooram who purchased five bulls and Chris and Kaylene Tyack from Wallan who bought three bulls.

Three bulls sold for $12,000, five bulls sold for $11,000 and one made $14,000.