By Catherine Miller, Stock Journal
VIC BUY: Auctioneer Bernie Grant, Miller Whan & John’s Peter Creek with the $9500 top price bull buyer Andrew Lyons, Balmoral, Vic, and Tugulawa’s Gary Allen. Photo by Stock Journal
SALE SUMMARY
2018 2017
Offered 22 21
Sold 18 16
Top $9500 $13,000
Av $5388 $5250
VEALER producers bid with confidence at Tugulawa Simmental stud’s eighth annual Superior Genetic Sale at Mil-Lel, near Mount Gambier, on Wednesday last week, lifting the average by $138.
Stud principals Gary and Joy Allen described the offering as their most even lineup, with the bulls showing great length and muscle and plenty of softness.
They were rewarded with a fast-paced sale and solid 82 per cent clearance.
The $9500 top price bull, Tugulawa Morgan, was a grandson of Woonallee Tornado, which has left its mark on the breed.
The well-muscled, polled lot 18 was a standout, weighing 814 kilograms and having an eye muscle scan of 117 square centimetres in November.
It was knocked down to Andrew and Angela Lyons, Anco Simmental stud, Balmoral, Vic.
“It is so deep and long with great growth for age,” Mr Lyons said.
Anco has been breeding Simmentals for the past seven years and was pleased to add to its Tugulawa bloodlines, having bought a good line of females previously from the stud.
N&N Kerr, Drik Drik, Vic, led the volume buyers with five bulls for a $6000 average, including lot 9, Tugulawa Mojo, for the sale’s second-highest price of $8000.
Four Winds, Port MacDonnell, bought three bulls to $5000.
Guest vendor Michael Quirk, Windy Pines Simmental stud, Mount Gambier, sold one of his two bulls at $3500.
Tugulawa’s females were spread far and wide, with pregnancy-tested in-calf and unmated females heading to four states.
In a total clearance, the nine females averaged a credible $3833.
Lot 26, Tugulawa Maud, was the top pick, making $4750 to Alva Koort, Drysdale, Vic.
The lovely long red heifer was a daughter of Barana Jumping Jack and in-calf to Tugulawa Lancelot.
Maud will remain at Tugulawa and after calving be joined to the new sire the Allens bought at Woonallee stud’s 2018 sale for $14,000.
Norman Park Simmentals, Windsor, NSW, bought the highest price black Simmental female, Tugulawa Liquorice, buying through Landmark Minlaton’s Alistair Keller.
The 15-month-old was knocked down for $4500.
“To bring our overall average up when the fat market has gone back a fraction was a real highlight,” Mr Allen said.
“We had a lot of new buyers and some repeat buyers, which shows they must be happy with what they are getting.”
Mr Allen said the 2019 sale bulls were showing plenty of promise, including progeny of United States sire FFS Maximus.
Bernie Grant, LMB Linke, Vic, was the auctioneer with Miller Whan & John the settling agent.