INTEREST from stud and commercial buyers pushed prices to a top of $16,000 at the 26th annual Wattletop Angus bull sale at “Stratton”, Guyra, last Wednesday. Of the 113 bulls offered, 109 sold for a clearance of 96 per cent and average of $8201, with 27 yearling bulls averaging $8592 and 82 two-year-old bulls averaging $8072.
The top bull, yearling Wattletop Westward L4, was purchased by Ted and Alison, James and Annie Laurie, Knowla Livestock, Gloucester, and Tim and Margaret Vincent, Booragul Angus, Piallaway. The 14-month-old son of Werner Westward 357 and Wattletop J70 weighed 568 kilograms and had estimated breeding values (EBVs) of +55, +96 and +127 for 200-, 400- and 600-day weight.
David Grills, “Carndhu”, Armidale, bought Wattletop Franklin, by TC Franklin 619 from Wattletop Barunah F138, for $15,000. The 24-month-old bull weighed 852kg, had a scrotal circumference of 37 centimetres, and had EBVs of+53, +93 and +123 for 200-, 400- and 600-day weight, and +62 for carcase weight.
Wattletop Docklands, a 25-month-old bull by Carabar Docklands D62 from Wattletop Usual H109, was one of two $14,000 bulls sold to Tom Skipper, Ollera Station, Guyra. He weighed 780kg, measured 41cm in the scrotum, and had EBVs of +2.3 for birthweight, +44, +80 and +110 for 100-day weight and +52 for carcase weight. Mr Skipper also bought Wattletop Docklands, another Carabar Docklands D62 son, for $14,000. The 26-month-old bull, from Wattletop Lucy H113, weighed 802kg, had a scrotal circumference of 40cm, and had EBVs of +49, +88 and +122 for 200-, 400- and 600-day weight and +71 for carcase weight.
Mr Grills purchased Wattletop Franklin H179 K329 for $14,000.The 24-month-old son of Wattletop Franklin H179 and Wattletop Usual H5 weighed 808kg, had a scrotal circumference of 39cm, and had EBVs of +3.6 for birthweight, +51, +95, and +127 for 200-, 400- and 600-day weight, and +70 for carcase weight.
Gus Payne, “Fernleigh”, Ellerston, bought Wattletop Docklands K124, by Carabar Docklands from Wattletop Ann H169, for $14,000.The 25-month-old bull weighed 790kg, measured 37cm in the scrotum, and had EBVs of +50, +90 and +127 for 200-, 400- and 600-day weight, and +65 for carcase weight.
The sale’s volume buyers were Ricky Mitchell and Chris Bagnall, Glenrock Station, Ellerston, who purchased 22 bulls topping at $12,000 and averaging $7391.Greg Rafferty, Fernside Pastoral Company, Rylstone, bought seven bulls for a top of $12000 and average of $9714.
The sale was settled by Ray White Rural Guyra and Armidale, with Paul Dooley, Tamworth, the auctioneer.
