Cattle prices: How bull prices compare between studs this spring

Cattle breeders are forking out more than ever for bulls. We’ve compiled all the key data including averages from the latest spring sales.

Stephen Branson, Banquet Angus. Picture: Jenny Kelly

Early spring bull sales are making average prices double 12 months ago, leaving producers wondering if they will be able to purchase bulls now, or in autumn, for less than $10,000.

Up until last year, it was rare that bull would sell at auction for average prices greater than $10,000.

In fact, an analysis in March of this year revealed that from 40 major southern Australian bull sales reported on by The Weekly Times in autumn, 23 averaged more than $10,000 and all showed a lift in averages.

In autumn 2019, only one stud, Banquet, exceeded the benchmark with an average of $10,041.

In spring last year only 15 major southern studs achieved averages over $10,000, led by Millah Murrah Angus which sold 78 at $20,384 while in spring 2019 only two out of 62 spring-selling studs reported on by The Weekly Times sold bulls for averages higher than $10,000.

The meteoric rise in prices reflects the charge in commercial cattle prices, with indicative prices again breaking new ground last week.

In recent days, some of the highest bull sale averages included:

* Wirruna Poll Herefords’ 58 bulls for an average of $16,190 – more than double last spring’s $7795 per sire.

* Rennylea Angus cleared 168 bulls, averaging $15,690 - $3000 above the results for the stud in both autumn and spring auctions.

* Ardrossan Angus sold a bull for $60,000 to Bannaby Angus and in all 102 for an average price of $14,470. Last spring, their bulls made $8726.

* Dunoon Angus cleared 158 bulls for an average of $13,823 and top of $68,000, purchased by Bongongo Angus. Dunoon averaged $13,832 at its autumn sale.

Elders Livestock stud stock auctioneer Ross Milne confirmed $10,000 seemed to be the new benchmark.

He said “you can count on one hand the number of bulls that have sold for less than $10,000” at early NSW spring sales.

“The expectations are down south that sales will be just as strong, people are happy to reinvest in genetics and they are getting more for their cattle than what many people have seen in their lifetime.”

Major sales this week include Banquet Angus at Mortlake tomorrow, which could again record the state’s highest average price.