News & Media

Inaugural Autumn Bull Sale 2017

28/30 Bulls sold to $9,500 & an average of $5,517.

We were blown away with the response and support from foundation clients, new clients, fellow industry seed stock producers, agricultural peers and stock agents across all companies and throughout Victoria and even into NSW at our Inaugural Autumn Bull Sale which was held on property on Friday 24 March 2017.

It was a fantastic turn out for our Inaugural Autumn Bull Sale, and we loved the buzz of the day as caught up with  old clients old and met many more new clients.

The only laid back participants on the day being our beautiful black angus sale bulls, who lazed around or contentedly chewed their cud as many new faces inspected them from all angles.

Our top price bull $9,500 LOT 3 Merlewood Mentor L51 (AI) sold to new client DM & MF Chalmers of Leongatha South. Robert visited MWA earlier in March to inspect our sale bulls and after a detailed viewing said “I will be back on sale day”.

Robert is well known for always getting the bull of his choice and this isn’t the first time he has purchased the top price bull at a black angus bull sale.

His dam Merlewood Royal Line H73 comes from a very strong cow family with Blackbird on the paternal dam pedigree and Tootsie on the maternal dam pedigree. A fantastic purchase for a client who retains his female heifers.

Volume buyer and new clients Dean and Kim Sederlen travelled down from Orbost and said they could take them all home as it was such an even line. Spoilt for choice Dean and Kim decided this year to opt for LOT 7 ($5,000) and LOT 11 ($6,000) – both Heirloom sons.

With the dam of Merlewood Heirloom L107 belonging to the Blackbird cow family and the dam of Merlewood L82 descended from the Sunbeam cow family, they will be bringing some very strong, solid female genetics into their breeding herd in addition to the solid structure, frame and softness that the Heirloom boys are known for.

MWA foundation clients and repeat buyers bought well too. With Brendan O’Loughlin purchasing LOT 13 ($7,000) Merlewood Docklands L32 (AI) who incidentally was Anne Marie’s pick of the draft. Brendan liked him since he saw him at the Beef Week Open Day and with a few of MWA foundation clients interested in him,

Brendan did well to secure him for his herd. With Empress maternal bloodlines and Papa Equator blood lines on the dam side, Merlewood Docklands will bring added depth and solid genetics to an Brendan’s strong commercial breeding program. Less than 10km’s away Merlewood Docklands L32 (AI) will feel right at home up there on the hill – and we can even wave at him from down our paddocks.

A repeat volume buyer Doug King of Morwell was only after one bull this year but made sure he got his Merlewood Mentor son – LOT 16. A flush son from the renowned Te Mania Jedda family he was well bought at $6,000. His flush brother LOT 12 – the only sale bull to leave Gippsland – was purchased by seedstock producer Reilands Angus, Gundagai NSW.

Nicole and Cameron Sage were a bit disappointed initially that their Beef Week Open Day pick L20 was withdrawn due to an injury. However once Nicole spotted LOT24 ($7,500) Merlewood Docklands L53 (AI) she knew he was the one for her and she made sure she got to take him home.

Off to a great home and breeding program LOT24 with his strong pedigree including Dinky-Di and Henry VIII bloodlines, Nicole will not be disappointed with his offspring. Another of our foundation clients not far from us – in the heart of Gippsland.

The final Docklands son in the 2017 Merlewood Docklands Trinity ,LOT 1 Merlewood Docklands L41 (AI), went to new client Kevin Battersby of Leighwood Grange. A great buy at $6,000.   With all 3 Merlewood Docklands bull staying local in South Gippsland, MWA look forward to seeing their offspring come through the VLE Saleyards in 2018/2109.

Daniels tip – watch out for these steers and heifers as they will be exceptional. We are so glad that so many people shared in the magic and joined us for our MILESTONE Inaugural Autumn Bull Sale as we brought 30 Gippsland born and bred registered black angus cattle to you, the commercial farmer, for sale right here in the heart of the Gippsland.

Delighted with our Inaugural Bull Sale results: 28/30 bulls sold to $9,500 (LOT 3 Merlewood Mentor L51 (AI)) and average $5,517, we are already looking forward to next year’s Autumn Bull Sale. With weaning on Tuesday it is the start of the next step in #gettingsaleready for 2018.

MWA are so pleased to bring leading industry genetics from top sires to Gippsland’s commercial black angus breeders and be part of the Gippsland Breeding Bowl vision.

Passionate about our cattle, passionate about life the Merlewood Angus team look forward to continuing to support Gippsland’s commercial beef farmers as they continue to grow and look forward to journeying together.