Softness, do ability, phenotype and weight for age paid at the 45th annual Texas Angus bull sale held on-property at Warialda last Thursday as a large and even line of bulls went under the hammer to reach $20,000.
Known as the commercial cattleman’s sale, a large contingency of the sale draft headed to commercial operations across Queensland and Northern NSW but a strong stud presence proved the versatility of the Texas brand.
In a breakdown 109 averaged $5266, 99 two years averaged $5,389, 8 eighteen month olds averaged $ 3,563, and two yearlings made $5,500. Buyers had a great opportunity of sourcing bulls in the $3,000 – $4,000 range with 47 selling in that price range.
Jim and Jackie Wedge of Ascot Angus, Warwick QLD secured Texas 458N G562 for the top price of $20,000. The 986kg two year old bull sired by Sitz New Design 458N and out of one of Texas leading ET donor cow Texas Undine Z36, was described as a top stud sire prospect that boasted muscle, power, barrel and volume. G562 was in the Top 1% of the breed for almost all EBV traits and bull’s overall package impressed Mr Wedge.
The bull’s impeccable temperament, balance, moderate frame and do-abilty will suit the mid to early maturing focus of Ascot,” said Mr Wedge who will use the bull as a back-up sire for his AI program which involves 200 stud angus breeders.
“The bull’s impeccable temperament, balance, moderate frame and do-abilty will suit the mid to early maturing focus of Ascot,” said Mr Wedge who will use the bull as a back-up sire for his AI program which involves 200 stud angus breeders.
First time buyer, the Norman Family from the Liverpool Plains secured Lot 4 Texas Dynamite G547 (AI)(ET) for $16,000.
The 944kg Mohnen Dynamite 1356 sired 24-month-old bull, a full brother to the stud’s $30,000 top-priced bull in 2011, had great performance data and estimated breeding values (EBVs) to match including + 6.8 for birth weight, + 59 for 200-day weight, +99 for 400-day weight, +134 for 600-day weight, +6.0 for EMA and + 1.1 for IMF.
“G547’s mobility, weight for age and sheer power caught my eye and also knowing how well his full brother is breeding at Woodbourn Angus TAS confirmed he was the bull for our cattle operation” said Mr Norman.
A very long term client, Saxby Partnership, Tenterfield, paid $15,000 for Texas Dynamite G560, a full ET brother to the $16,000 bull.
With amazing similarities, G560 boasts a little extra frame and length over G547, and measured + 6.3 for birth weight, + 54 for 200-day weight, +97 for 400-day weight, +132 for 600-day weight, +6.7 for EMA, + 1.1 for IMF and weighed a hefty 970kgs. Lot 4 and 5’s dam Texas Undine Z183, is the studs leading ET donor and so far 5 sons have sold to a healthy average of $15,400 with 13 sons available for next year.
Greg Saxby was thrilled to purchase such a top sire and will use him with his top cows.
Brett and Rana Haager of Valorbrook Angus, Bell QLD took home 3 stud sires all from the same dam Texas Omnia X205. Lot 8 Texas Dynamite G531 (928kg), Lot 9 Texas Highlander G536 (906kg) and Lot 20 Texas Dynamite G500 (1002kgs) all made $12,500, $7,000 and $10,500 respectively. Brett and Rana have been purchasing Texas genetics for well over 10 years.
Volume buyers on the day were repeat buyers Wybong Pastoral Company, Scone, who purchased eight Texas bulls to top at $6000 and average $5125.
Wybong, who have 800 predominantly Angus breeders across two properties at Scone and Graman, have been buying from Texas for 10 years and like the style, longevity and temperament of the bulls.
Other significant purchases included return clients Macintyre Station, Inverell who purchased six bulls for a top of $7500 and average of $5834 to join with their 2500 Angus and Brangus breeders; and Lonergan Partnership who have being buying bulls from Texas for over 10 years acquired six bulls topping at $4500 and averaging $4000.
Stud principal, Ben Mayne was very happy with the results particularly in a tough climate.
“We were very proud of this year’s line-up of bulls, we knew this year would be testing but the clearance and the prices indicate we have a brand that works and is accessible, some paid a premium for quality yet there were over 50 bulls which sold between $3000 and $4500 ” he said.
“The continual support from our repeat clients and new clients coming on board shows their confidence in our breeding program.”
