SPIRITED bidding from a big crowd of buyers saw the Hicks families' annual on-property Billabong Droughtmaster Bull and Female Sale, Moura, achieve a high of $27,500 and an overall average of $5380 for the 132 bulls and heifers sold at yesterday's cracking sale.
The sale breakdown saw a total of 11 select sires sell for an average of $16,865 and top of $27,500; 92 registered bulls averaged $4665 and topped at $9500; 17 herd bulls averaged $3150 and topped at $7000 (twice); and 12 stud heifers averaged $3585 and topped at $7500.
The sale, hosted by John and Catherine Hicks and family, and Ray and Moya Hicks, topped at $27,500 when Jim and Julie Becker, Jarrah Cattle Co, Banana, bought the 41-month-old poll sire, Billabong Redford.
A breed and interbreed champion at multiple shows during 2008 and 2009, the bull, which already has a calf on the ground, weighed 1194kg and scanned with figures for eye muscle area (EMA) of 134 square centimetres, P8 fat of 26mm, and rib fat of 14mm.
Second top price of $24,000 followed immediately after and was paid by the Grundy family, East Street Properties, Booie, for the 40-month-old poll sire, Billabong Rio.
Other sale highs included $23,500 paid by Doug Haigh, Haigslea, Kandanga, for the catalogue’s front cover star, 21-month-old Billabong Sydney (Poll), who scored in the top 10 percent of the breed for EBVs.
The stud heifer section of the sale saw top price of $7500 paid for 25-month-old Billabong Savannah (Poll) by Fortrus Pastoral, Bells Bridge, represented at the sale by Paul McDonald and Cody Whiteman.
Fortrus Pastoral outlaid a total of $20,000 for four heifers.
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