THIRTEEN proved the lucky number for Bull Oak Well Angus at their annual bull sale, held at the Basin Sale Complex, Willalooka, on Thursday afternoon.

​

A spirited bidding scrap for lot 13 - Bull Oak Well Knockout Q52 - ended at $19,000 and was won by father and daughter duo Richard and Shelby Auld, Koorine, through agent Dale Keatley, Nutrien Mount Gambier.

​

The top-priced sale was just one of many highlights for the Nickolls family from Pinnaroo, who were left speechless after a 10th annual sale where 52 of 53 bulls were sold to the stud's best ever average of $11,461.

The average was a $3668 rise on Bull Oak Well's 2020 average.

Stud principal Heath Nickolls was grateful for the continued support from the healthy crowd of South East and Mallee clients, and a significant order from Broken Hill.

"The sale was way above our expectations and we didn't see it (that result) coming," he said.

"We've had some good sales but this sale takes the cake.

"We knew there was some confidence in the beef cattle job and I guess it flowed into the bull sales.

​

"It's good to see people are getting rewarded for their cattle and re-investing it into genetics.

"It's humbling that people decide to come to us and it's great to see so many return buyers all from SA."

As a mark of their gratitude, the Nickolls committed to donating half of the sale average to the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

​

The top-priced Bull Oak Well Knockout Q52 was a son of Karoo Knockout K176 and weighed in at 880 kilograms with a 41.5 centimetre scrotal circumference.

Its estimated breeding values included +8.1 for calving ease and +87 for 400-day weight with +2.1 for rib fat, +1.8 for rump and +6.8 for eye muscle area.

The Aulds bought four bulls in total, averaging $13,250, including Bull Oak Well Komplete Q46 - son of a Pathfinder sire - for $17,000.

The family run a mix of 400 Angus and Hereford breeders, producing steers for sale and replacement females.

"His length and his style, as well as his figures, all stacked up," Mr Auld said

"He'll produce the type of cattle that we'll want to finish off."

Another notable sale was the lot 3 Bull Oak Well Makahu Q17, which was knocked down for $18,000 to Lake Ellen Pastoral, Tintinara.

​

In total, nine bulls reached or eclipsed the $15,000 mark.

The sale's volume buyer was Moonee Hills, Meningie, which bought nine bulls to $13,000 twice, averaging $10,222.

 

Treetop Estates, Meningie, secured five bulls to $16,000 twice, averaging $13,400, while Long Trail Farms, Parilla, bought four to $12,000 twice, averaging $10,500, and Kangaringa Farms, Keith, bought four to $17,000, averaging $13,500.

 

The sale was conducted by Pinkerton Palm Hamlyn & Steen and Spence Dix & Co, with Spence Dix & Co director Jono Spence the auctioneer.