Herefords reaffirmed their industry dominance with a thumping record average of $11,853 at the 55th annual Dubbo National Show and Sale.
The event, held at the Dubbo showground on June 7, topped at $47,000 with 77 Poll Hereford bulls selling from the 90 offered for an 86 per cent clearance, and gross of $912,750.
The average was a new multi-vendor breed record, eclipsing the Wodonga National last month on $9961.
Dubbo drew 124 registered buyers from every state and territory except Western Australia, and was interfaced with AuctionsPlus for the first time.
Agents quoted the widespread rain and the breed’s superior grass fed performance as the driver behind the sale result.
National judge Tim Bayliss chose Allendale Washington K5 as his senior champion and buyers agreed, paying the top price of $47,000 for the son of Allendale National W168.
K5 was sold by Alastair and Jayne Day, Allendale Poll Herefords, Bordertown, SA.
The purchaser of Wodonga’s $95,000 top price bull, Tom Nixon, Devon Court, Drillham, Qld, backed up again to pay the top price at Dubbo, in partnership with Cascade Poll Herefords, Currabubula, NSW.
The February 2014 drop bull weighed 1040kg, scanned with an eye muscle area of 144sqcm and had a scrotal of 42cm.
On BREEDPLAN, K5 had a birthweight of +5.7kg, 600 day weight of +75kg, eye muscle area of +4.2sqcm and +1.1 per cent for intramuscular fat.
Mr Nixon was drawn to the bull by his carcase attributes.
“There is a lot of confidence in the breed – the good bulls were selling well with a solid underpinning of commercial support,’’ he said.
Herefords Australia chairman Pat Pearce described the sale as “incredibly strong for a good line-up of bulls’’.
Mr Pearce said solid commercial support, strong commodity prices, widespread rain and a tightening supply of trade cattle had contributed to the record sale average.
John Settree, Landmark stud stock, Dubbo, said the drive towards eating quality by the MSA Index resulted in commercial buyers focusing on carcase attributes.
“We had buyers logged on throughout our network from Bourke, Broken Hill, Nyngan, Warren and South Australian pastoral orders operating in the $4,000 to $8,000 mark,’’ Mr Settree said.
“Our local commercial operators were buying bulls for $8000 to $15,000 then the stud bulls took off from $15,000 to $47,000.
“The rain over the last several weeks has lifted the cattle market considerably and everyone is happy to have mud on their boots.
“Herefords are still better than any other breed on grass and the rain is a really positive thing for (the breed).’’
The second top price of $45,000 was paid for Lot 45, Days Executive K186, by Steve and Debbie Reid, Talbalba Herefords, Millmerran, Qld, and Marc Greening, Injemira Beef Genetics, Book Book, NSW, from vendors Lachy and Lou Day, Days Whiteface, Bordertown, SA.
Sired by Allendale Waterhouse D1, the bull weighed 1024kg, scanned with an eye muscle area of 138sqcm and had a scrotal circumference of 44cm.
On BREEDPLAN, the bull had a birthweight of +6.2kg, grain fed steer index of +$135 and an EU index of +$131.
Fresh from topping the weaner sales nationally, Philip Davie, Guilford Poll Herefords, Ouse, Tasmania, paid the third top price of $43,000 for Lot 14, Days Fahrenheit K103, from Days Whiteface.
The 1026kg bull scanned at 17mm on the rump, 16mm on the rib, had an eye muscle area of 141sqcm and a scrotal circumference of 42cm.
“I liked his length, good hindquarters, moderate birth and good growth figures,’’ Mr Davie said.
“There is good confidence in the Hereford breed and things look promising.’’
Alvio Trovatello, Glendan Park Herefords, Kyneton, paid $40,000 for Allendale Anzac K4, a 1066kg son of Allendale Waterhouse D1 with a scrotal circumference of 48cm.
Vendor Alastair Day sold four bulls to average a little over $32,000 to seedstock and commercial enterprises.
“There was no gap today with the prices carried right through showing confidence in the breed,’’ Mr Day said.
“Buyers were looking for softness and muscling.’’
Mike Todd and Mark Baker, Kanimbla Poll Herefords, Holbrook, NSW, also paid $40,000 for the Days Fleetwood K185, selected by National judge Tim Bayliss as the grand champion.
Vendors were Lachy and Lou Day, Bordertown, SA.
Allan and Colleen Green, Ivybank Partnership, Walcha, donated a PTIC heifer, Ivybank Eclipse K25, to raise funds for charity beyondblue.
The Harvie Tailor Made daughter was sold for $4000 to Peter, Karen and Glen Weller, Swanvale Herefords, Burroway. The family also invested in Kidman Macumba K036 for $24,000.
“It was a good cause and we are building our female numbers,’’ Mr Weller said.
“Herefords are on the increase due to their weight for age.’’
A total of 18 bulls sold for $15,000 or more.
Among the volume buyers on the day were Winderadeen Corporation, Collector, with 10 bulls to a top of $12,000, Lynwood Pastoral, Barraba, NSW, three bulls to a top of $16,000, and Lymford Poll Herefords, Bigga, NSW, two bulls to $25,000.
Jack Smith, Cascade Poll Herefords manager, Currabubula, NSW, and Tom Nixon, Devon Court, Drillham, Qld, and Jack Smith, Cascade Poll Herefords manager, Currabubula, NSW, paid the top price of $47,000 at the Dubbo National Allendale Washington K5, held by vendor Alastair Day, Allendale Poll Herefords, Bordertown, SA. Image Wayne Jenkins
Jim Bruce, Elders stud stock, Albury, buyer Marc Greening, Injemira, Book Book, Mark Duthie, GDL, Dalby, buyer Steve Reid, Talbalba, Qld, and vendor Lachy Day, Bordertown, SA, with the second top price bull at the Dubbo National at $45,000, Days Executive K168. Image by Wayne Jenkins.
Agent Tim Woodham, Roberts Ltd, Tasmania, buyer Philip Davie, Guilford, Ouse, Tasmania and vendor Lachy Day, Days Whiteface, Bordertown, SA, with the third top price bull at the Dubbo National at $43,000, Days Fahrenheit K103. Image by Wayne Jenkins.
Alvio Trovatello, Glendan Park Herefords, Kyneton, paid $40,000 for new sire Allendale Anzac K4 at the Dubbo National. On the halter is vendor Alastair Day, Allendale Poll Herefords, Bordertown, SA. Image by Wayne Jenkins.
Vendor Glen Pugh, Gundongs, Tomingley , NSW with buyer Mark Chalke, Lymford Poll Herefords, Bigga, NSW, and handler Rachael Wheeler, Peak Hill, NSW. Mark bought Gundongs Kentucky for $25,000 and Gundongs Kakadu for $15,000. Image by Wayne Jenkins.