Ascot Cattle Co bulls make big bucks at autumn sale

Ascot Cattle Company recorded some of their best sale results at the Autumn Bull Sale as a Charolais bull reached $28,000 and two Angus bulls hit $20,000.

Ascot Cattle Company recorded some of their best sale results at the Autumn Bull Sale as a Charolais bull reached $28,000 and two Angus bulls hit $20,000.

IT WAS a sale unlike any other for the Ascot Cattle Company last week as coronavirus restrictions swept the country, but giving the go-ahead proved well worth it for the Warwick-based stud as it recorded one of its best sale ­results despite the trying ­circumstances.

Even with logistical challenges, travel restrictions and social distancing requirements, the Ascot Autumn Bull Sale went ahead as planned, but with additional safety measures in place.

Held at North Toolburra last Wednesday, the sale exceeded the expectations of stud principals Jim and Jackie Wedge, achieving a total clearance and pleasing results.

“We weren’t sure how it was going to go with what’s going on in the world at the moment, whether many people would turn up, but it certainly went a lot better than we expected with 100 per cent clearance and people were keen to keep bidding – it didn’t look like any bulls were going to get passed in, which was really good,” Mr Wedge said.

The top-priced bull on the day was a Charolais bull, Ascot Pure Blonde P44E, which sold for $28,000 to Chelbrook Charolais in Goovigen, Central Queensland.

Ascot President P359 and Ascot Panther P345 claimed the top Angus price, selling for $20,000 each to Robrick Lodge, Castlereagh, NSW and IE and SL Beck, at Malanda in the Atherton Tablelands.

Twenty-four Charolais bulls sold to average $8250, topping $28,000, and 33 Angus bulls sold for an average of $7364, topping $20,000 twice.

Averages were up about $1000 on last year’s autumn and spring sale results.

Bulls sold at the autumn sale went to buyers in Queensland, NSW, Victoria and Western Australia.

Mr Wedge said rain early in the year had helped to boost sales.

“That was a catalyst for the sale being so strong, because people are starting to try to rebuild their herds. They’ve got grass in front of them now, so this just added to the positivity and confidence out there, so the rain has been a great help,” he said.

Due to border closures and social distancing measures, the sale looked a little different to usual as a grandstand full of people was replaced by a large following of online bidders – accounting for about 45 per cent of sales – as well as bids over the phone through agents present at the sale.

“It was still a very positive sale with a lot of buzz about it when the sale got going,” Mr Wedge said. “There was a lot of action in the ring and from buyers on the phone and AuctionsPlus – it was a very upbeat sale actually.

“We put a lot of protocols in place for safety, similar to what all the saleyards have, so we certainly went to an extensive amount of work to make sure everyone was safe on the day.

“We’re very pleased with how everyone at the sale adhered to the safety protocols we set up for their own safety.

“Even though we made it a bit difficult for them they could all understand why we were doing it and were supportive.”

Mr Wedge believes the strong sale results are a positive not only for the stud but represent the strength of the agricultural industry through trying times.

“It just goes to show the confidence in the ag industry and particularly the beef industry is very strong, so there’s no reason why people shouldn’t be still buying bulls and trading cattle,” he said.

“The ag industry is one industry that will be a little bit isolated from the problems.

“Everyone’s still got to eat and keep going.”