New record top price of $26,000 for Reiland

Jason Hulm, Gobba Angus manager, Wagga, with Reiland Angus co-principal Mark Lucas and the top price bull, Reiland Maccauley M1026, at $26,000.

Beef producers chasing carcase and low birthweight genetics paid a new record top price of $26,000 and average of $8480 at the Reiland Angus autumn bull sale.

Held on-property at Tumut by the Lucas family on April 18, 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, Gobba Angus, 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 806kg and had a scrotal circumference of 49cm.

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 sqcm and IMF (intramuscular fat) of +2.5 per cent, plus the 600 day growth of +123kg 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.’’

Ed Ratcliffe and children, Clare, Jack and Jock, their grandmother Audrey Ratcliffe, Urana, with Mark Lucas, Reiland Angus, and Reiland Maquire M519. A portion of the proceeds from the bull’s sale was donated to Wagga Prostate Cancer Support Group.

Mark Lucas said the underlying sale strength was a testimony to the bulls and their data sets.

“Some clients are wondering what to do with their surplus cows while other people saw the sale as an opportunity, and bought well,’’ he said.

“What was noteworthy was there were highly credentialed bulls here selling for $4000-$5000.

“Everyone could operate even though I was humbled by the sale average.

“There were four bulls sold privately afterwards.’’

Mr Lucas said commercial producers were chasing bulls with good data sets and muscularity.

“The Lucas family has developed strong client relationships over the years and this underpinned the strength of the sale.’’

A portion of the proceeds of Lot 10, Reiland Macquire M519, was donated to the Wagga Wagga Prostate Cancer Support Group by the Lucas family.

The Reiland Jerry J191 son was bought for $9500 by Audrey Ratcliffe, “Woodlands’’, Urana.

Reiland Angus also donated $2000 towards the prostate cancer support group.

Mrs Ratcliffe said her family had been touched by cancer and she was pleased to support the worthy cause.

“Any donation to cancer is close to your heart – I would encourage all men to have a prostate check up,’’ she said.

Audrey, 80, runs a 300 cow Angus herd on her own on the 1214ha property, with the occasional assistance of son Ed.

She sells her weaner steers at 250-300kg liveweight through the Wagga saleyards.

Repeat client Anthony Crichton-Brown, Coolong Pastoral, Hay, secured the equal second top price bull, Reiland Madden M940, at $19,000.

The 772kg bull was by the US sire Deer Valley All In and combined a low birthweight with a 600 day growth of +129kg. Coolong invested in a total of four bulls.

Dan Carey, Murrumdon Pty Ltd, Griffith, ACT, also paid $19,000 for Reiland Mackenzie M933, a 718kg son of US sire Sydgen Black Pearl.

Reiland retained a 50 per cent joint semen and marketing right in the bull.

Elders Tumut livestock manager Chris Annetts said the sale had exceeded expectations.

“It was one of the best line-up of bulls Reiland has had – buyers were chasing lower birthweight bulls,’’ Mr Annetts said.

“Many people have sold older cows and have their next set of younger heifers to join.

“The lower birthweight bulls will give us the growth in the calves next autumn at those calf sales.’’

Mr Annetts said the middle run of bulls sold to commercial buyers for $8000-$9000.

Among the volume buyers on the day were Graeme and Judy Houston, Houston Pastoral, Burrowye, with 13 bulls to a top of $18,000.

Ballandry Pastoral, Strath Creek, Vic, took home four bulls to a top of $8000, Kalkite Pastoral, Narrawa, NSW, bought four bulls to a top of $7000, M & A Pearce, Adelong, paid to a top of $8000 for three bulls, and Matthew and Jarrod Reynolds, Mt Hugel, Grahamstown, bought three bulls to $7500.

Reiland Angus will hold a private treaty bull sale on Tuesday, May 22, 2018.