Studstock leaders push for a return to on-farm sales with bull prices set to climb

Studstock leaders say it’s time to return to bull sales rather than relying simply on technology to assess the lots. See how confidence is shaping up for the spring selling.

Technology kept the stud stock industry moving through Covid lockdowns, but leading breeders say it’s time to get back on-farm and return to judging cattle in person.

The run of spring sales has already started, and bulls are expected to be in keen demand because the cow market has been so strong, with indicators for both processor cows and dairy cows tracking at more than 100c/kg higher than this time last year.

Nutrien NSW stud stock manager, John Settree.

Nutrien NSW stud stock manager John Settree from Dubbo said people were still on the fence when it comes to video marketing.

He said there was definitely a place for interfaced videos on sale day. There was also a place for video marketing. However, he said there was no substitute for actual visual appraisal of stock.

“I’m a believer that the buyers should come and look at the cattle,” he said.

He acknowledged that not all stud operations had a selling ring in place. And there were pros and cons of video selling. However, having bulls physically in the ring could sometimes pull another bid if needed.

“I can also understand that videos and television screens can reduce labour costs and stress on animals.”

Mr Settree said the industry was moving away from the covid lockdown selling methods and there was a return to people attending sales.

“When you consider that the average price of a bull is $12,000 to $15,000, that is a big investment. Why wouldn’t you want to see it?” he said.

Mr Settree said the market for seedstock was likely to be stronger this year due to the increase in cow prices across most grades in the past six weeks.

Landfall Angus Stud in Tasmania sold an Angus bull for $240,000 in 2023. Chris Saunders (pictured) bought the bull on behalf of Dunoon Angus Stud at Holbrook and is pictured with Nutrien auctioneer Warren Johnston and vendors Frank and Ed Archer of Landfall Angus. Picture: Supplied

Landfall Angus principal, Frank Archer from Dilston in Tasmania, said it was his preference that buyers attend the sale.

However, that wasn’t always achievable.

“We video our bulls, and then we make those videos available to potential buyers before the sale,” he said.

Landfall also used a video interface system on the sale day to help manage the sheer volumes.

“We can sell between 250 and 300 bulls in less than four hours that way,” he said.

The Landfall sale on September 17 will offer 300 lots, and Mr Archer said he was seeing a return to people attending sales.

“It’s hard to tell what the outlook will be like, but there has been some good rain, so that will take the pressure off the industry,” he said.

“We have to remember it doesn’t rain grass, so we are relying on a good start for spring.”

Mountain Valley Pastoral stud principal Ian Durkin.

Mountain Valley stud principal Ian Durkin from Coolatai, NSW, held his Hereford and Angus sale earlier this month and moved away from video marketing.

He said the decision came down to assessing the costs and benefits.

“By not having the videos, we saved about $10,000,” he said.

“We are in a position where, as producers, we have to take our industry back.”

The sale was interfaced with AuctionsPlus, and over the two breeds, the bulls returned an average of $13,000 for 40 Herefords and 41 Angus.

Mr Durkin said he was a supporter of the sale atmosphere and people actually visually appraising bulls rather than relying solely on a two-dimensional image.

“It loses the atmosphere,” he said.