2018 Koojan Hills Bull Sale

"Koojan hills sale tops $23,500"

Phenomenal was the only way to describe Monday's Koojan Hills Angus bull sale result. 
While the sale has been a benchmark in the Angus bull selling calendar for many years, no one quite expected the sale to be as good as it was, with 65 out of 69 bulls selling to a top of $23,500 and a terrific $10,208 average.
The end result was even more remarkable given most bull sales have taken a hit to averages and clearances this year, but the quality of the Koojan Hills bulls shone through to see the average jump by $294, compared to last years $9,914 with seven more bulls sold under the hammer this year.
The sale gross of $663,500 was up $88,500 on last years result, which was set when cattle prices were at record levels in WA.
The success of the sale in the past two years has more than vindicated the decision by the Metcalfe family to make the significant investment to purchase the stud from Lew Smit in 2016.
Constant drizzle throughout the sale didn't dampen buyer enthusiasm and when Landmark auctioneer Tiny Holly dropped the gavel at $14,000 on lot one, it was clear that a big day was pending.
In total 89 buyers registered for the sale (this also included buyers for the Melaleuca Murray Grey bull sale held after the Angus sale), but none were more determined than the Bairstow family to get what they wanted, who picked out lot seven as the best sire to use among their substantial Angus breeding herd. There were several prominent cattle producers competing for the bull, but in the end the Bairstows were successful at $23,500. 
The chance to add a new bloodline to their herd pushed the Lester family, Lester Pastoral Co, Manypeaks, to set the second top price of the sale of $17,000 for a Thomas Up River 1614 son, Lot 36 Koojan Hills Up River M145. The Up River genetics will be added ti the sire battery for the Lester family, who are WA's sole supplier of grassfed calves to the Graze beef brand sold in Coles supermarkets.
Following the sale, Landmark auctioneer Tiny Holly simply said buyers "came, they saw and the conquered". 
"There was excellent interest from all parts of WA and the Eastern States," he said.
"The quality of presentation of the bulls was again backed up by excellent figures and buyers responded to this with their bidding. The top level of bulls sold to top demand and there were significant prices set throughout the catalogue right up to the last bull that sold for $15,500."

By Travis King, Farm Weekly