THE Murray Grey's national sale format may be under review after lacklustre commercial support last week.
Despite stud demand for back-up sires, the bull catalogue had a clearance rate of just 51 per cent under the hammer.
Held at Wodonga, the multi-vendor sale drew 65 registered buyers from almost all states.
Of the 41 bulls offered, 21 sold at auction to a top of $8750, gross of $73,450 and average of $3497. A further four bulls were sold immediately afterwards.
The result was down on last year when 24 bulls topped at $17,500 and averaged $4250.
In the female lots, 25 sold from the 39 offered for a gross of $70,500, top of $9000 and average of $2820.
Sale committee member John Tyrrell described the clearance rate as disappointing.
Mr Tyrrell said the sale format would be reviewed at a post-sale committee meeting.
He said the future of the multi-vendor sale was assured as it was an ideal venue for many smaller studs. Landmark auctioneer Kevin Norris agreed the sale lacked commercial buyer underpinning.
"Smaller commercial herds are buying their Murray Grey bulls from their local areas," Mr Norris said. "But the stud market was still fairly strong on the better-quality bulls."
Murray Grey Society president Tony Dikkenberg said steps were underway to reinvigorate the breed's commercial appeal.
"You do get dead patches in all sales and why it is here, I don't know," he said. "The good cattle sold well."
Nigel and Gina Eylward, of Eylwarra Sands Murray Greys at Ungarra in South Australia, paid the top price of $9000 for Millwood Petrina.
Sashed as the grand champion female, the six-year-old cow was sired by The Glen Marshall, had a grey bull calf and was rejoined to Lerwick Park Buckley. The female was sold by Gordon Gill of Gilldon Murray Greys at Clyde.
Ian Bromham, of Gnoleda stud at Adelong, bought the top-priced bull, Onward Tungsten, for $8750 from Sue Francis' Onward stud at Dorrigo.
