Michael Houston, Houston Pastoral, Burrowye, and Reiland co-principal Mark Lucas with the equal top price bull, Reiland Locke L746, at the stud’s autumn bull sale.
Beef producers benefiting from the buoyant feeder market were quick to reinvest in new genetics to a top of $18,000 at the Reiland Angus autumn bull sale this week.
Held on-property at Tumut by the Lucas family on April 19, the sale drew a total of 46 registered buyers from the Riverina, NSW southern slopes, NSW southern highlands, central and northern Victoria.
A total of 65 bulls sold for a 100 per cent clearance, a top of $18,000 twice and average of $7515 – a rise of $846 on last year’s autumn sale.
The fixture marked 45 years of Angus breeding for the Lucas family and was officially opened by bovine artificial breeding specialist Dr Rick Tindal.
Repeat clients Tony and Carmel Lenehan, Hopewood Pastoral, Coolac, were encouraged to outlay the equal top price of $18,000 in Reiland Lancefield L934 by Reiland’s unique coupling register.
The register streamlines opportunities and negotiations in semen and marketing rights.
Reiland retained 50 per cent semen and marketing rights in L934, while interest was expressed by three parties, including Landfall Angus, Tasmania, and Narracalca Pastoral, Tumut.
Sired by Strathewen Regent E23 H70, the August 2015 drop bull weighed 715kg and was out of elite donor dam, Reiland Nicky Z413.
Lancefield ranked in the top one per cent on BREEDPLAN for marbling, and top two per cent for the Grain Index at +154 and carcass weight at +73.
Hopewood Pastoral bought a total of four bulls for an average of $9875.
The other top price bull, Reiland Locke L746, was bought by repeat clients Graham, Hillas and Michael Houston, Houston Pastoral Company, Burrowye, Vic.
The September 2015 drop son of Reiland Horton H958 weighed 721kg and had a scrotal circumference of 43cm.
The family invested in a total of 12 bulls at an average of $10,916, including the second top price lot, Reiland Longford L1008, at $16,500.
Michael Houston said bulls with low birthweight, high growth and marbling were sought at the sale.
The family has used Reiland bloodlines for 12 years within their 2500 spring calving cow herd to target yearling feeder steers for JBS Australia at 480kg liveweight.
“There is a lot of positivity in the market and in conversation with our buyers, they are looking forward,’’ Mr Houston said.
Commercial beef producers Bill and James Luff, Adjungbilly, paid $10,500 for Reiland Lexton L978 at the Reiland Angus autumn bull sale.
“And, we are happy to outlay money on genetics to keep at the top end of these markets.’’
Reiland co-principal Mark Lucas was pleased with the total clearance and overall sale average.
“There was a lot of local support, including the Upper Murray, and new buyers from Wagga to Hay,’’ Mr Lucas said.
“This included a program building up Angus numbers away from Wagyu, and they bought here to replace their females.
“The consistent data sold the bulls today, and commercial producers operated on what they saw fitted their program the best.
“Of the bull draft, 72 per cent were suitable for heifer joinings.’’
Chris Annetts, Elders Tumut territory sales manager, said buyers responded to the even line of sale bulls with frame, quality and calving ease.
Mr Annetts said both cow and heifer bulls sold to solid demand.
“There was strong commercial underpinning today with a lot of local buyers,’’ he said.
“They are getting a good resale value on their older bulls so they can afford to reinvest in new genetics to breed better quality cattle.’’
The Walmsley family, of Tarcutta, NSW, paid $13,000 for a Reiland Glory G874 son, Reiland Lindley L1036.
The August 2015 drop bull weighed 701kg and ranked in the top one per cent for retail beef yield and scrotal circumference.
Bill, Deb, Will and James Luff, Adjungbilly, outlaid $10,500 for Reiland Lexton L978 to join their 450 cow commercial Angus herd.
“We target feeder steers of 450-500kg and have been on Reiland blood for 25 years,’’ Bill said.
“The 100 per cent clearance today was terrific – the sale was solid and strong through to the end.’’
Among the volume buyers on the day were Coolong Pastoral, Hay, with six bulls to a top of $10,000, Mt Hugel Pastoral Company, Adelong, five bulls to $7500, Kalkite Pastoral Company Crookwell, four bulls to $6500 and Ballandry Pastoral Company, Strath Creek, with four bulls to $7000.