BUYERS selected from a top team of Angus and Murray Grey bulls to drive values to $10,000 on two occasions at the Monterey Winter Bull Sale at Brunswick last week.
The Buller family and the Monterey team presented a quality catalogue of 54 well-grown and performed bulls, ranging from 19 to 26 months of age.
But with all eyes to the sky and the hope of a long-awaited break to the season from a front approaching the following day, buyers generally remained cautious with their spending.
And while the top end of the catalogue generated some spirited competition from the 42 registered buyers, there was modest competition on the balance which saw buyers filling their sire requirements with quality bulls at great value for money.
With purchasers afforded the opportunity to be selective at times, 36 of the 54 bulls (67 per cent) sold at auction through the collective efforts of the Landmark and Elders selling teams to average $5208 overall.
This was back slightly on last year's sale average where 47 of 58 bulls (81pc) sold under the hammer to average $5410.
In the break down, the Angus reclaimed the average stakes with 22 of 30 Angus bulls (73pc) selling at auction to average $5284 compared to 14 of 24 Murray Grey bulls (58pc) averaging $5089.
Last year 27 of 29 Angus bulls (93pc) sold to average $5361 while 20 of 29 Murray Grey bulls (69pc) averaged $5475.
This year's sale clearance was significantly improved with strong interest on the overlooked bulls resulting in an additional eight bulls finding new homes during or soon after the sale.
Elders Margaret River agent and sale auctioneer Alec Williams said the Monterey team again offered a quality line up of Angus and Murray Grey bulls.
"The sale was well supported by producers from Geraldton to Mt Barker with the majority being purchased locally," Mr Williams said.
"It was an excellent result achieved taking into account numerous factors, including seasonal constraints and an increased supply of bulls being offered this year.
"The majority were repeat buyers who attended, with the top-end priced bulls being keenly sought after, with some new genetics being offered.
"Overall the sale was a pleasing success for both the stud and buyers who could confidently acquire quality bulls for their breeder program without having to pay extreme values."
Landmark auctioneer Tiny Holly said being the final bull sale of the season, it provided a good opportunity for producers to finalise sire requirements going into mating.
"Conditions are hopefully turning but many producers are hand feeding cows and didn't have to carry these bulls through from the summer," Mr Holly said.
"The bulls were very well presented.
"Buyers selected on quality and figures but also on the contrary, overlooking bulls with a good shop window and figures.
"There was good competition on the top end bulls with high price expectations about where we thought."
First to pay the sale's $10,000 top price tag was Brett Chatley, Landmark Manjimup, for the second bull into the ring, Monterey Northerly N72.
The mid-April 2017 born bull was by Millah Murrah Tex K37 and out of a Raff Wizard A247 daughter Monterey Y Not F99.
With a current weight of 880kg, the bull scanned at 6.4 frame score (FS), 44cm scrotal circumference (SC), 127cm2 eye muscle area (EMA) and 5.4pc intra muscular fat (IMF).
Mr Chatley purchased a further two Angus bulls for the same account at the sale, costing $6000 and $5750.
Six lots later, the top price was reached again with Cameron Petricevich, S & C Livestock, collecting the aptly named Monterey News Story N164 for $10,000.
The younger early July 2017 born bull was sired by Millah Murrah Reality K61 and was the first calf out of homebred heifer Monterey Vanilla L69.
The 836kg bull recorded scan results of 6.4 FS, 48cm SC, 127cm2 EMA and 5.6pc IMF.
Representing the same buyer, Mr Petricevich then paid the $8500 second top Angus bull price for the following lot, Monterey Next Big Thing N173.
The mid-July 2017 982kg born son of Monterey Harlequin H125 and a Wallaroy Expert X255 daughter scanned 6.5 FS, 41cm SC, 133cm2 EMA and 6.1pc IMF.
Mr Petricevich said the bulls were purchased for a first-time buyer looking for outcross bloodlines to breed replacement females for their Angus breeding herd.
" I was impressed with the capacity, muscle and grunt of the lineup of Monterey bulls and happy with the bulls we purchased," Mr Petricevich said.
He also secured an Angus bull for $4000 on behalf of another client.
The balance of the Angus catalogue sold from $4000 to $5500 with a few buyers sourcing two bulls at the sale.
These included McLarty Brothers, Pinjarra, who paid $5500 for a late March 2017 born 924kg son of Millah Murrah Conversion J42 and $4750 for a Millah Murrah Reality K61 son and then added another bull bought privately after the sale.
An Elders Margaret River account costing $5000 and $4000, finished with two bulls and Rob Gibbings, Elders Capel, representing Ludlow Grazing, Busselton, paid $4750 and $4500 for their two Angus selections.
The black coats also claimed top-price honours in the Murray Grey section of the sale with the second bull offered Monterey Nice N Easy N164 knocked down to Northcliffe graziers and 26-year Monterey clients MG Armstrong for $8250.
The 856kg mid-June 2017 born black Murray Grey was a son of Woodbourn Kimberley K39 and homebred dam Monterey Bouquet K150.
It displayed an even set of above average EBVs in the catalogue, most notably top 5pc positive fats and scanned 6 FS, 42cm SC and 125cm2 EMA.
The Armstrongs also paid the $6500 equal second top Murray Grey bull price for one of the lead bulls of the second run of Murray Greys.
The young silver September 1, 2017 born bull by Monterey Hudson H296 had raw measurements of 745kg, 6 FS, 40cm SC and 110cm2 EMA with a strong set of EBVs ranking it in the top 5pc for EMA and retail beef yield (RBY), top 10pc for all weight traits, top 15pc milk and top 15-30pc for all index values.
Also paying $6500 for its selections was Pearce Watling, Elders Bunbury, who collected a silver early April 2017 born son of Monterey Kirkwood K267.
The 894kg bull scanned 5.6 FS, 41cm SC and 129cm2 EMA with growth EBVs in the top 10-15pc, top 10pc RBY, top 15pc mature cow weight (MCW) and CW with indexes in the top 20-30pc.
Consistent buyers the Greville family, Gingin Pastoral Company, Gingin, paid $6500 deep into the catalogue in lot 48 for another Woodbourn Kimberley son.
The young early October 2017 born grey bull weighing 716kg had raw figures of 6 FS and 40cm SC with some solid EBVs, particularly top 5pc positive fats, top 10pc scrotal and top 15pc IMF.
Multiple bull buyers with two bulls from the line-up of Murray Grey bulls were 20-year plus Monterey clients Geoff and Wendy Driscoll, GR & W Driscoll, Irwin, who attended their first Monterey winter bull sale in person this year, while GG Baker Family Trust, Bakers Hill, also took home two new Murray Grey bulls at auction and one following the sale.
Landmark Boyup Brook agent Jamie Abbs secured a couple of Angus and Murray Grey bulls at auction but swooped on the overlooked bulls following the sale to fill several client orders.