BUYERS were given every opportunity to source quality and performance at the Bandeeka on-property bull sale in Boyanup last Thursday.
This year 33 herd-improving sires from three different breeds and two registered Simmental females were offered under the Helmsman selling system.
Bandeeka Simmentals, with guest vendors Bandeeka Black Simmental and Tronar Red Angus gave potential buyers the chance to lodge and place their bids on any animal of their choice at any given time during the sale, which resulted in 24 bulls selling under Elders to a top of $12,000 and for an average of $5250, which was up $179 on last year.
Elders stud stock auctioneer Nathan King said the average and clearance was slightly better then previous years.
"The Helmsman system suited the clients who turned up to buy on the day," he said.
"I believe it was the most even line-up of bulls the studs have presented and it helped the style of selling."
Return client, Norm Trigwell, NC Trigwell, Boyanup, was the successful bidder on the top price bull in lot six, Bandeeka Kakoda.
The 938 kilogram, July 2014-drop sire made $12,000 and was a Woonallee Benefactor son, out of Bandeeka C Remember.
Supreme exhibit at the 2015 IGA Perth Royal Show and second in the interbreed judging, this soft, deep volumed bull had values of +22 and +41 for 200 and 400-day growth rates, +11 for milk and +2.8 for EMA.
Mr Trigwell said he visually selected this sire for its softness and sheer volume for age.
"He is structurally sound and will be joined to 140 registered Simmental females to breed replacement females and bulls which are sold privately," he said.
Not far behind in the price stakes was lot one, Bandeeka Jamaica, when it was snapped up by Rodney and Elisabeth Skene, Meldon Park Simmental stud, Cecil Plains, Queensland, for $10,000.
The November 2013-drop sire weighed in at 1050kg and was out of Bandeeka Z View and by Woonallee Benefactor.
The 2015 Perth and Brunswick interbreed champion bull presented with EBVs of +3.2 birthweight, +23, +43 and +44 for 200, 400 and 600-day weights, +8 milk and +3.0 EMA.
BJ & FH Tomas, Nannup, took a shine to two traditional Simmentals and paid $5000 and $8000 respectively, while loyal client Tom Marshall, TG Marshall, Kojonup, wasn't leaving empty handed and took home lot two, Bandeeka Poll Kracker for $7000.
Volume buyer in the Simmental portion was TR & KA Bleechmore, Boyup Brook, when they secured three sires at $4000.
Kane and Sasha Wetherell, Bandeeka Black Simmental, Boyanup, had one powerful bull up for the takings.
The May 2014-drop sire weighed in at 868kg and went Wonnerup way when GC & CA Bleechmore secured the TNT Tanker U263 son for $3500.
A new concept to the sale was the three Red Angus-Simmental composite sires offered by Bandeeka.
Despite their suitability to be use over heifers to produce growthy calves the bulls were passed in.
Ross and Tracey Collard, Tronar Red Angus, Gingin, returned with eight soft, easy-doing sires.
Six sold at auction to a top of $6500 and a healthy average of $5292.
A 15-month-old youngster in lot 34, Tronar Kovan, caused most of the stir and was purchased by Luke Norton, H & A Norton & Sons, Capel, at the $6500 top price.
The son of Tronar Flippher (AI) weighed 680kg and had figures of +1.9 EBV birthweight, +29, +44 and +58 for 200, 400 and 600-day weights and +13 milk.
Mr Norton said he had purchased four sires from the stud and looked for bulls with length, depth and low birthweights.
"This sire will be joined with the others to mate my first cross Angus-Friesian and Angus heifers," he said.
"I have a dairy herd of 300 head and a beef herd which comprises 300 first-cross Angus-Friesian and Angus females which after their initial calf are joined to Charolais sires."
Volume buyer in the Red Angus line-up was Alan Peggs, Alan Peggs Rural Pty Ltd, who bought on behalf of Pardoo Beef Corporation, Port Hedland.
Mr Peggs successfully secured four Tronar sires to a top of $6250 and at an average of $5188 for the northern operation.
S & JM Hayes & Son, Cookernup, held its presence in the bidding to take home lot 31, Tronar Kirby, for $4500.
Two specially selected Bandeeka Simmental females were catalogued.
One sound poll heifer didn't go unnoticed and was snapped up by Donnybrook operation Brighton Farms for $5000.
The fertile heifer had already calved a few weeks prior to her due date and had EBVs of +1.7 for birthweight and +5.5 for EMA.
