Strong Mallee support at solid Bull Oak Well Angus bull sale

By Jacqui Bateman   February 19 2025

The Nickolls family enjoyed a solid clearance and average at its 14th annual on-property Bull Oak Well Angus bull sale on Monday.

Offering a selection of 55 bulls through the sale ring at the family's The Basin Sale Complex, Willalooka, the stud sold 52 to $16,000 twice, averaging $9558.

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Last year, the stud enjoyed a full clearance of 54 bulls to $40,000, averaging $12,111.

Stylish young sire Bull Oak Well Eyes On You U317 attracted plenty of attention and was knocked down to repeat buyer Luke Hayes, Eura Carla, Padthaway, for $16,000.

The youngest bull in the sale at 19 months, and weighing 790kg, it was sired by USA19470275 EG Eyes On You and had been used over Bull Oak Well's stud cows in spring.

The bull's Estimated Breeding Values were in the top 2 per cent of the breed for 200-day weight, and top 1pc for 400-day weight and 600-day weight.

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Bull Oak Well Rhino U34 also attracted some animated bidding, with Duane Simon, McPiggery, Lameroo, the winning bidder at $16,000.

Sired by SDFR11 Bull Oak Well Beastmode R11, the 20-month-old bull was described in the catalogue as "an outstanding calving ease bull, well put together up front and a lot of length" backed up by his EBV's in the top 12pc of the breed for gestation length and top 3pc for body condition.

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A repeat buyer, Mr Simon, said the bull had good data spread, structure and shape.

Running a 500-head self-replacing Angus herd, along with a piggery, sheep and cropping, Mr Simon said their cattle operation aimed for steers to hit a feedlot entry weight of 350-450kg to sell into the Naracoorte weaner sales and through Auctions Plus.

"Bull Oak Well produce very good, easy doing cattle and we've found in a tough season, they still maintain their body condition," he said.

"They're bred for these conditions and when it gets tough, its when they really stand out. So far this year, with feed management, we haven't had to supplementary feed".

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Three bulls sold for $15,000 including Bull Oak Well Paratrooper U303, an ET calf and a son of NMMP15 Millah Murrah Paratrooper P15, which was knocked down to TM Kerber, Lameroo.

Eura Carla also paid $15,000 for Bull Oak Well Reebok U8, sired by MANR442 Mandayen Reebok R442.

Bull Oak Well Prime Minister U74, a son of BHRP758 Dunoon Prime Minister P758, was the third bull to sell at $15,000, knocked down to Lanalea Pty Ltd, Avenue Range.

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Jacob and Kylie Schilling, Emu Springs Pastoral Co, Tintinara, were the sale's volume buyers, buying five bulls, averaging $11,000.

The Schillings run a 1400-head self-replacing Angus herd and normally grow steer calves out in a good year to sell as feeder steers.

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Post sale, Heath Nickolls thanked buyers, underbidders and agents for supporting the Bull Oak Well program.

"To clear the majority of our bulls was the best outcome and, in the end, there was no need to be worried about clearance rates," he said.

"We're definitely happy with this latest crop of bulls which are very consistent with great genetics for buyers to compete on".

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Spence Dix & Co director Jono Spence said the result was a testament to the Bull Oak Well program.

"This family knows tough seasons and have built a cow herd that has natural resilience, along with fertility and softness that everyone can appreciate," he said.

Long-time Bull Oak Well clients Jacob and Kylie Schilling, Emu Springs Pastoral Co, Tintinara, pictured with Spence Dix & Co's Jono Spence, bought 5 sires, averaging $11,000.