Bull price down $500 on last year’s top

Jaws and wallets were set tight at Broome’s annual bull sale yesterday, with perhaps more tourists in the audience than the usual buyers.

In previous years the precious injection of prime genetics into their herds has seen them happily hand over up to $5000 for a topprice bull, because they know the quality presented each year by the small group of loyal WA studs.

But yesterday, uncertain of their futures as they wait for revival of their Indonesian export market, Kimberley cattle producers had to restrain themselves from impulse buying.

Bidding started for most lots at around $3000, but many sold for closer to $2000.

Elders and Landmark auctioneers were visibly frustrated as they realised this was the line in the pindan buyers would not cross, $3000 remained the top price, $500 down on last year’s top. It was a disappointing result for studs who travelled from the State’s south-west to present their best.

Despite the reduced prices, Kathy Lovelock of Canterbury Brahman Stud, New Norcia said considering the current market, it went better than expected.

“The quality offered was as good as they would get in Queensland, but they had to buy today according to what was in their pockets,” she said.

Lawson Klopper of Klopper Holdings, whose assets include the sale yards used yesterday and Christmas Creek station, said the sale reflected the hardship the industry faced.

“There is not much confidence left in the market, and it’s getting worse,” he said.

“I think it may even get harder, but you just have to keep going.”

David Stoate of Anna Plains, south of Broome, said right now the annual ritual of buying bulls was a luxury.

“We have to be careful because buying the bulls is a discretionary item right now, we still have to buy fuel, for example, but we are looking to minimise costs wherever we can,” Mr Stoate said.

While Anna Plains had enjoyed a good year prior to the export ban, Mr Stoate said he hoped the market would reopen in time to send more cattle to Indonesia before the wet season closes in around September.