BUYERS were given every opportunity to inspect and choose from the full array of Ardcairnie Angus 2014 bull drop at the stud's on-property bull sale last week.
While this unwavering dedication to providing the maximum amount of client choice didn't help with the aesthetics of the clearance, the bulls that did sell sold to extremely good values.
Seventy bulls went under the hammer and 37 sold with a top of $11,000 achieved and an excellent average of $5314.
Return client Bullrush Farms, Gingin, was the successful bidder on lot one, the top price bull which made $11,000.
Ardcairnie K6 was a Matauri Reality son and out of Ardcairnie Infanta H222 and while it had the pleasure of languishing under the shade of a tree in the relaxed group penning format of the sale, things heated up on the bidding with several buyers keen to take the well-muscled, balanced and even sire home.
Figures wise, K6 presented well with +43, +83 and +108 for 200, 400 and 600-day growth rates, +17 for milk, +61 for carcase weight and +5.8 for EMA.
Bullrush Farms also bought another bull, lot 29 Ardcairnie K102 (a Waitara Pio Federal son), for $6400.
The second top price of $8400 was paid twice by two buyers.
Gingin producer Old Bambun Grazing paid it first for Ardcairnie K28, and also bought an additional sire, another Waitara Pio Federal son, for $7400.
New Ardcairnie client, FL & MJ Dewar, Guilderton, secured lot 21, a Coonamble Elevator E11 son, to equal the second top price of $8400.
Joe Dewar said that he was after a sire with a bit more growth and performance to produce future breeders and that Ardcairnie K69 was the bull he and his family felt would do the job.
"Having heard and seen some of the Elevator progeny we knew that we would get good growth from the genetics," he said.
"We looked at the figures, specifically the mature cow weight, and we liked what we saw in him also.
"It is the first time we have bought at Ardcairnie and after hearing good things about the cattle we came to see them and liked what we saw."
K69 had a mature cow weight of +132 and its growth figures were +54, +98 and +135 for 200, 400 and 600-day weights.
The Dewars also bought lot 18 for $4400 and the bulls will be used in their 500 head Angus and Angus cross herd at Guilderton.
The third top price was $8200, again paid twice, with Ardcairnie K26 (a Matauri Reality son) selling to Benalong Grazing, Gingin, which also bought another bull at $4400.
Elms Court Holdings Pty Ltd, Albany, also put its hand up for $8200 for the final bull of the sale (lot 74) proving the strength of the Ardcairnie bulls right to the end.
Also buying two bulls at auction, Daneholme Farm Pty Ltd, Boyup Brook, paid $6000 for one bull and $4200 for another, while DC & CA Jannings, Kojonup, paid top money for lot 51 at $6800 and another bull at $4800.
The Gingin contingent of buyers continued to hold a presence in the bidding and $6000 was paid by Plain Grazing, Gingin, for Ardcairnie K117 while J & PJ Watkinson & Sons, Kojonup, paid $5200 for their single bull purchase.
Kentdale Grazing, Denmark, secured three bulls paying $4400 for two and $3800 for one, while RG & AP Wheatley, Winnejup, also bought three paying $4600 and $4200 (twice).
Elders Kojonup agent Jamie Hart said that it was the best presented line-up he had seen at Ardcairnie and that the bulls were supported by a pleasing crowd of return buyers and new clients.
