The Land | By Kirra Bogan | September 17 2015
Yearling bulls were highly sought after at the third annual
Ben Nevis Angus bull sale near Walcha last Tuesday.
All 65 bulls sold to a top of $12,000 five times and averaged $6952, up $1912 on last year.
A strong contingency of stud and commercial buyers filled the stands with long-time client Graham Benson and family, “Top Waterloo” Walcha securing the first two $12,000 bulls.
Ben Nevis Kibah K37, a Braveheart of Stern son out of a Raff Midland Z204 daughter, weighed 662 kilograms and an average daily gain of 1.46 and a frame score of seven. The 14month old had estimated breeding values (EBV’s) of +5.4 for birthweight, +100 for 600-day weight, eye-muscle area (EMA) of 5.7 and an intramuscular fat (IMF) of 0.9.
Described as a “herd changer”, K37 is set to join Empire bred heifers and infuse softness into the Benson’s commercial herd.
A Connealy Comrade son Ben Nevis Kevlar K6 also took the eye of My Benson reaching $12,000 top. From a Raff Empire daughter the 14 month old weighed 642 kilograms with an average daily gain of 1.47 and a frame score of six.
The bull’s low birthweight EBV of +3.5 appealed to Mr Benson who will use this bull over heifers to maintain a moderate frame and add softness. K6 expressed additional breedplan figures of +96 for 600-day weight, +5.7 for EMA and +1.6 for IMF. The Bensons secured a second Braveheart of Stern son for $10,000 to take home three bulls from the stud in total.
After its own positive sale result Knowla Livestock Gloucester, partners with Luke Fairweather, Barona Freerange, Seaham to secure two for the top priced Ayrvale Bartel E7 sons in the sale.
Ben Nevis Kaiser K54, a potential stud sire from a Te Mania Infinity female, was the first of the partnerships $12,000 purchases. Weighing 588 kilograms, the 14 month old had an average daily gain of 1.33 and a frame score of 6.K54 has EBVs of +2.5 for birthweight, +103 for 600 day weight, EMA of +4.9 and second highest IMF in the sale at 3.2.
The second Ayrvale Bartel E7 son, Ben Nevis Knockout K50 also from a te Mania Infinity female weighed 552 kilograms with an average daily gain of 1.31kg.The 14 month old had ENVs of +2.6 for birthweight, +104 for 600-day weight, +5.3 for EMA and +2.9 for IMF. Both parties will use the bulls via natural service and AI programs, and select the bulls on their temperament, structural correctness and sire line.
Mr Fairweather joins 250 commercial Angus females each year and was chasin Bartel E7 bloodlines to use over his heifers. Both bulls will be used across Knowla’s stud and commercial operations.
Rounding out the $12,000 bulls was another Braveheart of Stern son purchased by AD Commodities, Booroolong. From a Bulliac XRay female the 14 month old weighed 570 kilograms and had an average daily gain of 1.32kg. Ben Nevis Kossack K27 had EBVs of +4.3 for birthweight +94 for 600-day weight, +6.9 for EMA and +1.1 for IMF.
Vendors Stuart and Erica Halliday were ecstatic with the result. The sale was conducted by Landmark Boultons, Walcha with Paul Dooley Tamworth, as guest auctioneer.
Pictured in Photo: Miles Archdale, Landmark Boultons, Walcha, Luke Fairweather, Baroona Freerange, Seaham, James Laurie, Knowla Livestock, Gloucester; Erica Halliday, Ben Nevis Angus, Walcha; Alison and Annie Laurie, Knowla Livestock; Paul Dooley, Auctioneer Tamworth
