By ANDY WILSON
THE bidding was fast and a new record price set for a single bull at the Alpine Angus spring bull sale at Rosewhite last Wednesday.
More than 120 buyers and spectators jammed the stands at the property along with online buyers to see 60 bulls go under the hammer.
Alpine Angus manager Chris Oswin said it had been a busy time in preparation and he was pleased with the day's outcome, with all bulls sold at an overall average of $15,517.
The sale price for "Alpine 38 Special" set a new record of $120,000 and the bull was headed for a property west of Esperance in Western Australia.
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Siobhan Cowan from Arkle Angus near Esperance said they chose the bull on a visit six weeks earlier and were pleased with the purchase.
"He has an exceptional phenotype and structure, and a good balance of numbers which completes the package," she said.
However, according to Alpine Angus owner Jim Delany, such a record sale price can be a double edged sword.
"Naturally such a high price for a single bull is going to raise our average sale price mathematically, but that does not properly reflect a better estimate of the majority of prices that eventuated," Mr Delany said.
"While it is great that some interstate studs recognise where our program sits in the industry, our core business is to local producers.
"So we want local farmers to know that our stock represent pretty good value for money despite a couple of sales inflating the average."
Another balancing act that Mr Oswin perfects each year is producing high numbers of bulls but not at the expense of their breeding quality and structure.
Mr Delany said that Mr Oswin was careful in producing the right combination to achieve this.
"All credit goes to Chris," he said.
"That balance is not easy to get and yet he achieves that balance."
Andy and Julie Gerrand brought their three children from Longford and were hoping to buy some bulls for their 220–head property.
The family capitalised on the school holidays to make the trip a family event, particularly as all three children are active in the running of their farm.
"We just like the look of the Alpine bulls," Mr Gerrand said.
"We produce yearlings and wieners, so we want early growth and low birthweight," he said.
Ms Gerrand said it was their second trip to the twice–yearly sale.
"We have had a good run this year with the bulls we bought last year," she said.
