After witnessing spirited bidding during the sale which saw a top to $5000, post sale negotiations saw another bull sell for $6000.

Initially passed in at $6000, the bull was bought for that price after the sale by fellow stud breeder Ray Farmer, Boddington Murray Grey stud, Boddington, who was the losing bidder on the bull when it was passed in.

Mr Farmer has been buying sires from Southend for the past four years for use in his registered herd of 40 females along with his 140 head commercial Murray Grey herd.

The bull was initially offered on a three quarter share and possession with no further call on the bull.

By Southend West Rowan, his sale day weight was 842kg with a 42cm scrotal circumference.

With EBVs of BW +3.9, milk +1 and 200, 400 and 600-day weights of +39, +39 and +48, Mr Wise highly regarded him as a top stud sire.

It was somewhat of a different result to the last couple of years in terms of top prices and clearance for the Wises but on a positive point Max was delighted to see the support from so many return buyers along with the attendance and purchase of Southend stock by two eastern states stud breeders.

The top price during the sale was $5000 when Elders auctioneer Dennis Roberts knocked the fourth bull in the catalogue down to Tony Stringer of Cadogan Estates, Williams, who was bidding through Elders Williams agent Mark Mahney.

The rising two-year-old bull was sired by Michaelong Yes A6 and was one of the heavier bulls in the team weighing in at 812kg.

He had a 41cm scrotal measurement and EBVs of BW +3.3, milk +2, and 200, 400 and 600-day weights of +18, +24 and +33.

The bull will be used in the 200 head herd of pure Murray Grey breeders with bulls from Southend having been introduced for the last five years.

Mr Stringer said that Southend bulls produce low birthweight calves and yet high growth rates and all progeny have very good temperament and currently steer progeny are run through until September/October and sold off as grass fattened.

The second top price was $4750, this paid for the fifth bull in the line-up by return buyers RP Bass and KR Pinch, Boyup Brook, who went on to purchase one of the mature mated females offered later in the catalogue.