Despite a softening of commercial goat prices in recent months due to a surge in supply, the annual Malleevale Contender Meat Goat sale lifted its sale average 20% above last year’s, selling to a 98% clearance. 

Interfaced with AuctionsPlus, this year’s sale was held on property at “Malleevale,” Condobolin, NSW on Friday 10 March, and garnered bidders from Western Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, Queensland, and New South Wales. 

The online activity was strong throughout the sale with 154 users logged in to the auction and 14 bidders active across 79% of the offering, resulting in 47% of lots (23) sold to online buyers. 

It was Lot 35, however, that attracted the heftiest price tag, selling for $6,200 to Brian and Keeleigh Allport of Grassland Goats, Moonie, QLD. Lot 35 was a classy smooth red buck with an impressive carcass shape and good softness.

In a close second place, Lot 15 boasted one of the highest EMA and EMD score in the sale and sold for $6,100 to an online buyer in Western Australia. 

The sale averaged $2,719; a 20% increase on last year’s average, with approximately one-third going to new buyers. 

The sale’s success amid a substandard market highlights the quality of the Contender Bucks and buyers long-term confidence in the industry. 

“It might be lean times for some, but presently Contenders are exempt from the reported slump,” said Vendor Paul Hamilton. 

“It seems the word is spreading throughout the industry that these performance animals cannot be ignored.”

The Contender Meat Goats are the product of a brave plan to improve the commercial viability of feral rangeland goats by lifting the carcass weights. 

Mr Hamilton, together with Ian Manwaring of “Malleevale”, Condobolin, crossed Tennessee Meat Goats from the US with a Boer-feral female. 

The end result is a goat that is hardy enough for a rangeland environment, but having better muscling and meat yields than any other breed of goat. 

“We appreciate our buyer’s confidence in what these animals will make to their bottom line and we wish the best to all the buyers with what we hope are all game changing sires,” said Mr Hamilton. 

Vendor Ian Manwaring was also pleasantly surprised in the performance of their bucks. 

“It could have gone either way but I’m really happy with the result; it just goes to show that people see the same potential in these animals that we do,” he said. 

Forbes Livestock agent Sam Mackay said that the sale exceeded a lot of expectations. 

“There was a great field of buyers onsite as well as strong online competition once again,” he said.

“The bucks are improving year on year and its testament to the quality of the bucks that we are seeing repeat purchasers line up and buy them every year.” 

Mr Hamilton and Mr Manwaring have pledged to continue breeding animals that are focused on weight and muscle and, in doing so, expect their offspring to be true contenders in the industry.