PUNDITS are not expecting big price falls at this year's autumn bull buying sales.

Bull buying for restockers is the chance to bring in the latest genetics, where selection can make a big difference to profitability in the coming years.

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  • Click right for the Autumn bull buying guide

It's also the realisation of years of work for the stud producer, as the crop of sires is offered on the marketplace.

And while few stud breeders were complaining after last year's stellar sales, there were a number worried at the levels prices reached.

They feared big jumps might persuade commercial producers to turn to cheaper bull sources, where quality could not be guaranteed.

Last year's autumn bull sales were fed by enthusiasm on every front.

They came hot on the heels of the best weaner rates yet, and the best season for years.

Producers, buoyed by what they had seen in markets last January, spent big at sales all through autumn, and pushed up averages dramatically.

There were also total clearances for many bull vendors, whose paddocks were empty by the end of the selling period.

But with a slightly more subdued round of weaner sales and a little less buoyancy in the prime cattle market, this year's bull sales could be a different story.

No-one is predicting big price falls, though prices aren't expected to rise dramatically again.

Angus Australia chief executive officer Peter Parnell said the general consensus was that sales would be similar to last year.

"There's still a good season across most of the country and a feeling of optimism about the beef industry," Mr Parnell said.

While few would have dared to publicly criticise the record run of sales, especially for Angus, he said it was a double-edged sword.

"It was great for (stud) producers, who had a long hard run for many years, but it's important for bull prices to be reasonable," he said.

"If you talk to the serious breeders, they will admit it was nice to get a big average but on the other hand, they were concerned the high prices didn't turn people off."

Mr Parnell said better salvage prices for bulls, with trade in values of $1500 or more, had help offset some of the increased bull prices.

He sees no tailing off of demand, particularly for Angus bulls.

Meanwhile, Herefords Australia chief executive John McKew said his members were "cautiously optimistic" about the season.

"More heifers have been retained by commercial breeders, and sales of heifer weaners to producers have also been strong, so if there are more females, more bulls will be needed," Mr McKew said.

"The Hereford breed has a lot of attributes, and even with the higher bull prices, commercial producers are prepared to spend this to pursue those Hereford traits."

Mr McKew was hopeful for increased sales of Herefords this year, and confident clearances and total bull numbers sold would be up.

"There are no big alarm bells ringing to say bull prices can't stay where they were last year," Mr McKew said.

"A softening in rates will happen at some stage, but we don't believe it will be this autumn."