More registered bidders than bulls on offer was a great omen for Warrawindi Limousin stud’s annual bull sale, and it eventuated in one of the stud’s highest ever averages.

Below: Two highest price bulls with Mason Galpin (Stud Manager), Ashley Braun (TDC Auctioneer), Darren Jenke Manager for Garrison Cattle Feeders, Redbank, Lucindale

After three years as a vendor in the multi-vendor Great Southern Limousin sale near Hamilton the Galpin family from Penola made a triumphant return to holding their fourth on-property sale.

They sold 18 of their 22 apricot and black bulls for a $5013 average- up more than $800 on their 2014 effort in Hamilton.

The line-up were all polled with some terrific North American and UK genetics represented, and growth and carcase performance figures largely in the top 5pc of the Limousin breed.

Two ET sons of Wulfs Xtractor topped the sale at $7750, both selling to Garrison Cattle Feeders. Warrawindi Johnny and Warrawindi Jagermeister were both in the top 1percent for all growth EBV’s and had great carcase shape. Both these apricot coloured bulls were bought by repeat buyer Redbank manager Darren Jenke for Garrison’s Lucindale property.

“They are always very good muscled bulls with a bit of softness, great for producing our vealer calves,” Mr Jenke said. Their temperament is as good as you get.”

Four of the seven Xtractor sons sold for a $7063 average.

Another feature of the catalogue was the first three bulls to be sold in Australia by one of the UK’s leading growth and muscling sires Wilodge Cerberus. The powerful sons sold to a $7500 high and averaged $6000. Malcolm and Heather Lambert, Penola bought the top priced Cerberus son as well as a Stevens Moonwalker son for $4000.

Ninety per cent of the bulls sold within a 50 kilometre radius.

JG&W Bignell, Glencoe and John Carmichael , Lake Mundi. Vic were also among the multiple buyers with two bulls each.

Stud principal David Galpin said it was a good solid sale but around $5000 average was what they needed to remain profitable especially with the significant costs of flushing donor cows and importing semen.

“We have a lot of clients who are happy with what they are getting here. They are happy to spend $6000 to $8000 on a good commercial bull because they know they will get it back when they sell their calves.”

Warrawindi’s own commercial nine month old vealers averaged 382kg and $800 last November.

Mr Galpin said the decision to sell on-property definitely paid off being more economical for themselves and more convenient for the buyers.

Thomas DeGaris & Clarkson, Penola was the selling agent with Ashley Braun the auctioneer.

“The way the cattle market is going is helping the vealer blokes but the Galpins have done a hell of a job presenting the bulls too,” Mr Braun said. They are getting more and more clients which is a credit to what they are breeding and the genetics they are spending good money on.”

Warrawindi’s next project is displaying and offering cattle at Beef 2015 at Rockhampton, Qld in May- their first trip to the huge beef event held every three years.