BLACK Simmental yearling bulls sold to a top of $11,500 at the 16th annual Bonnydale Simmental Farms on-property bull sale at Bridgetown on Monday.
The top quality line-up of Black Simmental polled yearling bulls, SimAngus polled yearling bulls and traditional Simmental 2yo bulls representing renowned international and local genetics presented by the Introvigne family again attracted a large crowd of new and return buyers to the sale.
Given the buoyant climate of WA's beef industry and excellent seasonal conditions in 2011, a number of the large list of registered buyers were unusually reluctant in their bidding throughout the sale.
This contributed to a disappointing clearance with only just over half the catalogue clearing under the hammer to average $4864, back by $28 on last year's overall result.
But in a strange turn of events, immediately after the sale a surge of buyers headed to the yards to purchase their selected bulls at the auction reserve price.
This post sale activity led to a significant increase in clearance and gross for the Introvigne family with a further 11 bulls cleared after the sale when Farm Weekly left the property as negotiations continued.
The Peucker family, Corinda Downs, Mt Gambier, South Australia, returned to pay the sale's $11,500 top price and $8750 second top price for two Black Simmental yearling bulls.
The top bull was hailed as a star lot when it entered the ring and it delivered on expectation.
The 630kg Bonnydale Knoxville (P) (ET) was a February 2011-drop son of Kappes Trailblazer S516 and GLS S82 with EBVs unavailable due to its imported sire not registered when analysis was last conducted.
The $8750 Bonnydale Kilotonne (P) (ET) was also a February-drop calf by HC Hummer 12M and out of Bonnydale Georgia.
At 582kg, the bull displayed excellent EBVs, particularly its indexes including top value for domestic maternal index (DMI) and vealer terminal index (VTI), top one per cent northern terminal index (NTI) and top 5pc for eye muscle area (EMA) and export maternal index (EMI).
Buyer Mark Peucker said following the dispersal of the family's Simmental stud in 2009, the breed still played a significant role in the commercial breeding program.
The family runs 350 Angus and SimAngus females that are joined to Black Simmental sires with encouraging results.
Mr Peucker said last year's draft of weaner steer calves reached 419kg and averaged 350kg at 10 months of age straight off mum.
"It's the same principles as the stud in that we aim to breed the best cattle possible," Mr Peucker said.
"The two bulls showed growth for age, muscle development, softness and impeccable temperaments and being backed up by the Introvigne family gives you the confidence to have a go.
Jarnadup Investments, Manjimup, paid the sale's equal $8250 third top price and $5500 for two Black Simmental bulls.
Their top bull, the 586kg Bonnydale Knight (P) (ET), was a March 2011-drop son of TJF Lucky Jess and out of Bonnydale Goldie Hawn MBB and displayed above breed average figures and also extremely high ranking indexes.
Lesley McDonald, RJ & LG McDonald, Karridale, paid the other $8250 price tag for Knight's full brother, Bonnydale Kilovolt (P) (ET), a 581kg February 2011-drop bull.
Elders Bridgetown representative Bill Kessell was kept busy throughtout the sale filling several orders including two Black Simmental bulls for $6000 and $4000 on behalf of Topwillow Nominees, Manjimup.
Other better Black Simmental prices included Elders Margaret River agent Alec Williams representing L & M & P Della Gastino, Esperance, paying $6500 for one bull and Young River, Esperance, outlaying $5250 for a single selection.
Strong supporter of the Bonnydale brand Ian Collie, Collie Cattle Company and CCC Simmental stud, Kyneton, Victoria, paid the sale's $6000 top price in the SimAngus section.
The 571kg Bonnydale Kansas (P) (ET) was sired by Coonamble Z3 and out of Bonnydale Georgia and ranked in the top values for rib and rump fats, top 1pc for birthweight and top 5pc for two indexes.
Mr Collie said the bull will be used over Bonnydale progeny SimAngus females in a bull breeding program.
"He should match up well with our SimAngus females," he said.
"He has depth of hindquarter, clean shoulders, tight sheath, excellent structure with a lovely nature."
Remo Pessotto, Manjimup, secured two SimAngus bulls bidding to $5500 for Bonnydale Kano, a full ET 586kg brother of the $6000 Kansas, while GL & VJ Roberts, Capel, also collected two bulls.
The $6000 top price in the traditional Simmental team was reached twice.
Nannup graziers ET Carroll & Co secured Bonnydale Jesse James, a red-coated 818kg polled son of Bonnydale Hawkeye and out of Bonnydale Gem.
Jesse James recorded EBVs in the top 10-20pc for the breed for most traits with exceptional indexes in the top rankings for DMI and NTI and top 1pc for EMI.
Buyer Alf Carroll said he had used Simmentals as a terminal sire over purchased first cross Angus-Friesian females for more than 20 years targeting the vealer supermarket trade.
Mr Carroll said he had picked the bull from the catalogue for its figures and pedigree.
"I didn't even know he was red," Mr Carroll said.
"But he just stood out with his muscling, cover and temperament and we have used his genetics before with good results."
Another son of Hawkeye sold for the other $6000 price tag to AF & HM Hawley, Albany.
The March 2010-drop polled Bonnydale Jones weighed 758kg and like his half brother displayed a good balance of EBVs with top rating indexes for NTI and EMI and top 1pc DMI.
Volume buyer of the sale was Mostert Dairy Pty Ltd, Keysbrook, picking up three Simmental bulls and one SimAngus following the sale.
< p>
The family had been using Simmental bulls for over 15 years but this was their first Bonnydale sale due the convenience of selecting between different breeds.
They use the traditional Simmental bulls over SimAngus females and the SimAngus bull will cover Angus cows.
Email a friend