Loyal repeat buyers Bill and Elaine Sleep, Billanbri, Woolsthorpe bought the $7250 top priced bull from Corinda Downs Simmental stud. They are pictured with vendors Julie, Mark and Rebecca Peucker and Elders auctioneer Ben Finch, Lower South East breeding services.

CORINDA Downs Beef succeeded in their quest to offer both top quality British and European breed bulls at their sixth annual on-property sale at Mingbool on Monday 11th February.

It was nearly a mirror image of last year’s Simmental sale with a total clearance of the 23 predominately polled bulls for a $3609 average (compared to $3661 in 2007) and many repeat buyers among the 45 registered bidders.

Stud principals Mark, Julie and Rebecca Peucker also offered their inaugural draft of Angus bulls after taking the opportunity to purchase the locally based Bankhede Angus stud from former owner David Bird in mid last year.

One of the earliest offerings for Angus Week it produced a satisfactory result with 16 of their 17 young bulls selling for a $2522 average.

For the second year in a row Woolsthorpe commercial vealer producers Bill and Elaine Sleep from Victoria were successful on the top priced bull, this year with a bid of $7250 for Simmental bull Corinda Downs Branson.

The sale topper, a great shaped two-year-old was one of the first polled sons of Canadian sire Shawacres Jahari sold in Australia and out of one of Corinda Downs most influential matrons, Valentine.

Branson’s full ET brother displaying great length and softness and above average for all Breedplan growth traits was knocked down for $6000 to Peter Cook, Barana stud, Coolah, New South Wales.
The first bull ever sold from Rebecca’s own RK Simmental stud also attracted good competition, selling for $3250 to RA Skeer, Penola.

RK Ben scored the highest GeneStar test results of the Simmental offering with three stars for marbling, four for tenderness and seven for feed efficiency.

Four of the five Simmental-Angus composites sold to a $4000 top paid by AB Palma of Naracoorte for a 22 month old bull with 125 square centimetres of eye muscle area at scanning.

Elders Lower South East breeding services auctioneer Ben Finch described the sale as solid highlighted by the mix of repeat clientele and a “nice blend” of new clients.

He said Corinda Downs had forged a reputation for cattle bred to perform and believed their Bankhede Angus stud which included a tremendous elite female herd had a very exciting future.

Stud principals Mark and Julie Peucker were pleased with the total clearance of Simmental bulls and “healthy” average.

They have just secured two Black Simmental yearling bulls from fully imported US embryos at the Bonnydale Simmental sale in Western Australia to expand their Black Simmental breeding program.
Selling agent was Elders Mount Gambier with Ben Finch the auctioneer.

Sale Summary:

Five Simmental-Angus offered, four sold to a $4000 top, ave $2500

BY CATHERINE MILLER, The Stock Journal