*

Simmental bulls sold up to $10,500 and 35 averaged $5,114, up $1,038 on last year, in a total clearance at the Cook family’s fifth annual Barana sale at Coolah, NSW.

Last year 33 bulls sold to $9,000 and averaged $4,076.

The sale topper at $10,500 was the red polled, 22-month-old sire prospect, Barana Yeppoon, by Langton-Gate LGP from a Wondenia Taur­us female and with a strong and even set of figures.

He was bought by Ross and Heather Milner, “Bushland Simmental/Simbrah stud”, Baralaba, 160 kilometres south west of Rockhampton, Queensland, for his length, smoothness, pigmentation and skin type suited to their tropi­cal location.

Queensland buyers were promin­ent, taking seven bulls at an average of $6,464 while the major buyer, Tara Partnership, "Tara", Larras Lee, bought five bulls to $7,250 at an average of $4,550.

Tara Partnership favor Simmental bulls for their frame and milk to use over Simmental and Hereford cows for the production of prime steers sold in the Orange yards.

Second top price of $7,750 was paid by Eric Harvey, "Gligai", Gue­rie, for a dark red, 22-month-old pol­led son of Langton-Gate LGP, whose 10 sons averaged $6,175.

Vaughan and Marian Nowland, "Mookiview", Gunnedah, bought a Vintage Maverick son for $7,500. Barana Taylor for $6,000 and Boorang Ugo for $3,500.

The Tara Partnership $7,250 bull was by Langton-Gate LGP while three bulls made $7,000 to Ian Marshall, “New Luscar Simmental/Simbrah stud”, The Gap, Mt Isa, Qld; Barry Cooke, "Beauchamp Simmental/Simbrah stud”, Tharlane, Miles, Qld; and Robert Flannery, “Bonhomie Simmentals”, Brookfield near Dungog.

The sale was conducted by Elders with auctioneer, Andy McGeoch.