2009 Annual Bull Sale - Friday 18th September

(L to R Standing: Andrew Kennedy PC Angus, John Settree, Andrew Wishart Landmark Stud Stock, Lot 1 PC MR FRONTIER C11, Principle of PC Angus Greg Fuller, Successful purchaser Ralph Ward Durndax P/L. Kneeling L to R: Christie Fuller and Sharon Fuller PC Angus and Barbra Ward Durndax P/L.

Pine Creek Angus Sale Report

By Brad Wilson

Pine Creek Angus Stud, Bylong recorded the highest Angus bull average in the country this year, as a total clearance of 59
bulls topped at $28,000 to average $6720, for the Fuller family, last Friday (September 18).

In an outstanding result the sale average was lifted by a massive $1113 on last years result, seeing five bulls knocked down with bids from $19,000 to $28,000, with four selling
for $20,000 or better.

Despite the result producers were able to secure quality
sires at both ends of the market with over half the catalogue selling for $5000 or less, with 24 being taken home with bids from $3000 to $4000.

Stud and commercial cattleman from across New South
Wales competed with Queensland commercial cattle producers running crossbreeding operations, keeping auctioneer Andrew Wishart and the rostrum busy from lot one.

Stud Principal Greg Fuller said he was overwhelmed with the result, I think it shows we are on the right track with trying to breed a bigger framed, thicker Angus, carrying natural muscle and easy doing ability.
The tone of the sale was set from the first lot and after vigorous bidding, with no buyer wanting to take a backward step it was Ralph and Barbara Ward, Durndrax P/L, Cattle Creek who got the top priced $28,000 sire they were after.

PC Mr Frontier C11, weighing at 1200 kilogram was described as one of the best bulls to be offered by Pine Creek, by New Frontier 095 and with a dam pedigree tracing back to the Fullers high maternal cow family “PC Matron K56”, who was the Australasian trait leader for milk.Carrying scans of 138 EMA (eye muscle area), 19 rump fat, 12 rib fat, 6.7 IMF (intra muscular fat), the B+ muscle score, 31 month-old, 2009 Sydney Royal Easter show, senior champion Angus bull had the runs on the board. Mr Ward said you see bulls with scale and bulls with thickness but it is very rare you find one with both and he has it. We won’t pamper him he will be used in our stud as well as joined to commercial cows to improve our herd, Mr Ward said.

The many miles the Fuller family has put into to traveling and competing in cattle shows paid off as Queensland cattleman Nick Mathers first saw Pine Creek cattle at Brisbane show this year.

Mr Mathers who owns country at Kingaroy, runs Charbray cows and purchased five bulls to join over Charbray cows paid $23,000, (the sale second top price), $22,500, $19,000, $16,000 and $15,000 respectively.

There was a common theme with the sires purchased by Mr Mathers, all five bulls were in the top one or five percent in the Angus breed for 200, 400 or 600 day growth. Volume buyer was return client Kevin Parkins and Marrieanne Spooner, “Wyoming” Lightning Ridge, who averaged $5400 for their draft of ten bulls.Mr Parkins who joins 600 plus commercial cows, said he liked the performance and marketability of the Pine Creek cattle.
We are getting a higher premium for our cattle now and are working towards a pure Angus herd, the temperament of the Pine Creek cattle is exceptional and it is needs to be as my partner does the majority of the cattle work, I am in the truck or on the tractor for the majority of my time he said. 

One hundred and fifty people were in attendance with 36 buyers all taking home at least one bull.
In the breakup  two potential stud sires averaged $24,000, 37, 2007 drop bulls average $6810, while in the Autumn 2008 drop bulls all 20 sold to $10,000 to average $4775 and a total clearance of 55 commercial Angus heifers, joined and unjoined averaged $1112.

Other buyers included Alex Hall, Isis Downs Station, Isisford Queensland purchased one bull for $21,000, co selling agents Bowyer and Livermore, Bathurst purchased nine bulls.

Taylor Ag and Pastoral, through Roger Fuller P/L, Singleton paid $4500 for each of their two bulls, while Ian Grimshaw, Glen Alice, averaged $4250 for his two bulls.

John Settree, Landmark Stud Stock agent , Dubbo said the sale showed the genetic depth and performance of Pine Creek cattle, that is why it was an unbelievable result.

The sale was conducted by Landmark in conjunction with Bowyer and Livermore and Roger Fuller P/L with Andrew Wishart the auctioneer.