MacCallum Livestock bulls sold to a top of $16,000 at the annual Manali Limousins sale at Scone last Friday, when 45 of 48 Limousin and Lim-Flex bulls were sold for an average of $5819.

This year the MacCallum family‘s traditional charity auction raised $17,000 to help the Where There’s a Will Foundation provide education programs to local schoolkids for emotional resilience, hope, optimism, gratitude, and perseverance.

The foundation was set up by Pauline and Hilton Carrigan in name of their son Will, who died on Christmas morning last year, aged 24. Mrs Carrigan said education and awareness on depression, mental illness, and suicide was key for regional areas.

Proceeds from the second highest selling bull, sold for $11,000 to repeat buyer Waugoola Pastoral Company, Canowindra, were donated to the charity. Manali K887, a 22-month-old, 742-kilogram apricot bull by Manali One More Cooki from Manali Bella E45, measured four millimetres and 3mm on the rump and rib and had an eye muscle area (EMA) of 125 square centimetres.

The day’s top purchase – the $16,000 Manali K41 – sold to repeat Manali clients, beef producers and wholesalers Robert and Stephen Gill, “Alexander Downs”, Merriwa. Manali K41, a polled, black, 24-month-old son of Manali Fertiliser F85 and Manali G206, weighed 862kg, had a scrotal circumference of 39cm, measured 7mm and 5mm on the rump and rib and had an EMA of 137cm2.

Stephen Gill – who, with father Robert, also purchased the top Manali bull last year – said K41 had everything he was after.“He has great weight for age, and he’s got a great length and softness about him too. He’s just a top bull.”

Stud principal Jim MacCallum was happy with the sale, with the average of $5819 about $1000 higher than last year’s. “It was pleasing to see people purchasing the bulls based on their quality and to have our two highest priced bulls to be Lim-Flex bulls is testament to the hard work we have put in the developing our herd. Our sale is totally driven by commercial buyers breeding commercial cattle and we hope to continue to enhance this relationship.”