ALMOST 1000 bulls were on offer at 20 studs across southern Australia last week as the autumn bull-selling season got into full swing.
And bull breeders received a clearance of 94 per cent of 988 bulls.
A top price of $30,000 was paid for a Bowmont Hereford bull at Tatyoon on Monday.
The Newcomen Hereford at Ensay bought the top-priced bull.
In total Bowmont offered 48 bulls and sold 41 for an average of $7060 - more than $1300 better than last year's average.
Last week's Hazeldean South Australian sale at Willalooka sold 52 of 53 bulls for an average of $5315, up $15 on last year's result.
Manager Guy Cunningham said this year's bidding was "considered" compared with last year's sale, when buying was "red hot". "We were selling a lot of bulls from $4500-$6500, and we had regulars back here this year who were outbid last year," he said.
Others, such as Pathfinder Angus at Naracoorte, posted bigger averages that last year.
Pathfinder averaged $6380 this year for 124 bulls and a $14,000 top, and will sell another 100 bulls at Penshurst today.
Sterita Park Angus at Lucindale in South Australia, averaged $6302 for 76 bulls, a record for the DiGiorgio family.
Nanni DiGiorgio described the result as "exceptional", driven by repeat buyers.
Mt William Charolais, Willaura, sold 42 of 45 bulls to a stud record top of $15,000 and an average of $4820.Principal Anne Abbott said they were thrilled with what had been a "very solid sale".
"Last year was amazing and with a lot more Charolais bulls for sale now, we were thrilled with our sale," she said.
However not all studs benefited from extra competition.
Mt Difficult Poll Herefords principal Ted Cole was disappointed with his first on-property sale, northwest of Stawell last week. Just 13 of the 34 bulls on offer were sold, to a top of $3000 three times, for an average of $2615.
"Previously we've been selling privately, about 25 bulls a year at prices up to $6500 and an average of $3000," he said.
