Killimicat sale a helmsman hit

Another smash-hit bull sale has been held in the Snowy Valleys, this time the yearly Reiland Angus helmsman sale, held at Killimicat Station on Tuesday.

A full clearance of 30 bulls was achieved, and Reiland Angus producer Mark Lucas was naturally pleased.

“We normally sell about 80 per cent of the bulls at this sale,” he said.

“A lot of people are rebuilding their herds post-drought and there is an opportunity to join cows post-bushfires. There is an increase in the number of retained heifers.”

A large percentage of Tuesday’s buyers were from the Adelong area, but 30 per cent of the bulls went to Victorian buyers

“There were several new clients in that,” Mr Lucas said.

The sale was interfaced online with Auctions Plus, and this was another winning move as many bidders and buyers took this option.

“There was significant activity on Auctions Plus,” Mr Lucas said.

The bull sale price averaged $6680.

“It’s probably about $800 above average on that sale,” Mr Lucas said.

A helmsman sale allows clients to place bids on any bull or bulls of their choice at any time during the sale period.

“It is a more relaxed, client-friendly atmosphere,” Mr Lucas said.

The top price paid for a bull was $12,000, for that bought by Peter and Mary Hoodless of Jingellic.

“They bought pregnant heifers at the female sale in March,” Mr Lucas said.

The biggest volume buyer was Lach Harris of Wokolena Pastoral Company in Wagga Wagga, who bought four bulls.

Despite the success of this sale, it is almost certain to be dwarfed by the next Reiland Angus sale at Killimicat in September.

“That will be a more prodigious sale which will be over and above whereas this one was targeted,” he said.

“It will be an open public auction.”

He and many other producers are happy with the current state of the market.

“The beef market is as good as it will ever be,” he said.

“It is on the top end of the wave with good indication given the domestic and international demand that exists. Herd rebuilding with retained heifers will continue for the next three to five years.”

Tuesday’s sale followed the previous day’s successful Bongongo Angus bull sale, and other successful sales at Killimicat and the Tumut Stockyards earlier in the year.   

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