Sale sets stud record

Beef producers chasing carcase and low birth-weight genetics paid a new record top price of $26 000 and average of $8480 at the Reiland Angus autumn bull sale on April 18.

Held on-property at Tumut by the Lucas family, the sale drew 37 registered buyers from the Riverina, NSW southern slopes, NSW southern highlands and central Victoria.

It was also interfaced with AuctionsPlus.

A total of 51 bulls sold from the 61 offered, to a top of $26 000, gross of $432 500 and average of $8480.

Reiland Angus co-principal Mark Lucas said the average was a jump of $965 on last year’s autumn sale, with the average and top price setting new records for the stud.

Repeat client John Fleming, of Gobba Angus at Wagga Wagga, outlaid the top price of $26 000 for lot 33, Reiland Maccauley M1026.

Sired by Reiland Hilary H874, the August 2016 drop bull ranked in the top two per cent for eye muscle area and Grain $Index, top one per cent for scrotal size and the top five per cent for carcase weight on BREEDPLAN.

Maccauley weighed 806 kg and had a scrotal circumference of 49 cm.

Gobba Angus manager Jason Hulm said foundation females for the newly established stud had been sourced from Reiland Angus.

Mr Hulm said the herd numbered 150 females with the first bulls due to be sold next year.

‘‘We liked this bull’s outstanding EMA (eye muscle area) of +9.0 sq cm and IMF (intramuscular fat) of +2.5 per cent, plus the 600-day growth of +123 kg is right over the top,’’ he said.

‘‘We are trying to breed the muscle and marbling into our cattle to target the feeder steer market.

‘‘Overall the prices were good today, although a few people would be worried by the lack of rain.’’