Debut autumn sale at Riddellvue Angus

Debut autumn sale at Riddellvue Angus

Riddellvue Angus expects strong industry demand for female cattle to flow onto bulls when it holds its inaugural autumn bull sale on March 10.

The stud’s debut spring bull sale at Whanregarwen near Alexandra in 2020 was a success with 22 bulls sold for a total of $122,000 with a top price of $9000.

Stud principal Ian Bates expects the autumn sale to match or exceed these results with a solid range of bulls being offered in a strong market.

“There’s very high demand for female cattle so we’re hoping there will be high demand for bulls,” Mr Bates said. “With the way females are selling, I’d expect that to flow through to the bull section.”

Traditionally, autumn sales have stronger outcomes than spring and Mr Bates says the 21 18-month-olds and 10 yearlings on offer on March 10 will easily match or better his previous outing.

“Overall, it has been a fantastic season but because we had so much feed around, we didn’t get early summer crops in. They have had a stack of feed but dried feed doesn’t have the power of summer crops, but they’re still as good a group as September.”

Most of the bulls being offered are from Riddellvue Angus’s own sires Bannaby Reality K63 and Te Mania Melfin. “They’re the two biggest sire groups and they’re both good female and bull producers,” Mr Bates said.

“I’m really excited about the females I have in the herd out of these bulls. There are quite a few heifer bulls in the sale by Melfin and I think everyone who sees them will be impressed.”

Mr Bates said the 31 bulls on sale offered good buying opportunities.  “They have a great confirmation, good feet and great structure,” he said. “What makes these bulls so good is that they can breed you good females.”

“Lot 4, Riddellvue Quarterman has been a stand-out all the way though. He is a heifer bull out of a Ranch House cow who is backed by some of the great cows in our program. With the current interest in the market, we expect it will go quite well.”

The auction will be conducted by Nutrien Livestock and Elders and online via AuctionsPlus.