The northern spring whiteface bull sales have got underway with a roar, hitting a top of $70,000 and setting a new national on-property record average price of $11,700.
In eight on-property sales since July 15, 264 whiteface bulls have sold from 289 for a gross of $2.27 million and average of $8615.
Heading the charge was Bowen on July 21 at Barraba, NSW, with a total clearance of 57 bulls to set a cracking new national breed on-property auction record of $11,700.
The top price of $70,000 was paid by new clients Jeff and Robyn Holcombe, Rayleigh stud, Burren Junction, NSW, for Bowen Calibre K207.
Sired by the $90,000 Days Calibre G74, the 22-month-old bull ranked in the top five per cent of the breed for 200 to 600 day weight, mature cow weight, scrotal and eye muscle area.
Bowen retained semen and plan to use Calibre heavily within the stud herd.
The bull is out of Bowen Hilda F8, the top price female at the 2012 Bowen Anniversary sale.
Stud principal Stephen Peake said buyers attended from Alice Springs, Birdsville, Yea, and the local areas.
Mr Peake said the average price lifted more than $4000 on last year.
He said 95 per cent of bulls were bought by commercial producers, with the middle run making $5000-$8000, satisfying all clientele.
Mr Peake said the red hot bull market was being driven by the buoyant store and prime markets, seasonal conditions and industry optimism.
“The only limiting factor to the bull sales has been the reduced cow numbers,’’ he said.
“Everyone is so positive about the industry – they are on a high and have never seen these prices before.
“This is payback time for the cow-calf producer.’’
Mr Peake said bull buyers sought carcase, structural correctness and strong maternal lines.
Steve and Therese Crowley, Tycolah Poll Herefords, Barraba, NSW, held their best sale ever, with an average climbing by 25 per cent on last year.
A total of 54 bulls were offered and sold by Tycolah, Kyan and The Cottage with a top price of $28,000 and average of $8611.
The top price was paid for a yearling bull from the first crop by former Brisbane Exhibition junior champion Tycolah Lynwood.
Tycolah Overlander L07 was bought by repeat client Gunyah Herefords, Cooma, NSW.
Tycolah averaged $8883 while Kyan sold six bulls to average $7500 and top at $11,000, and The Cottage averaged $7400 and topped at $10,000 for five bulls.
Merawah Poll Herefords came back into the fold with a bang when the first sale since 2010 was combined with Tenaru Poll Herefords to top at $20,000 twice.
Held on July 19 at “Merawah’’, Boggabilla, the sale cleared all 41 bulls to average a thumping $10,024.
Tenaru Kathmandu K1 (AI (P), sired by Mountain Valley Gambler G14 (P), sold for the equal top of $20,000 to Mt Riddock Station, Alice Springs, NT.
Merawah Digger L14, sired by Allendale Anzac E114 (P), was also bought for $20,000 by Ashmore Farms, Winslow, Vic.
Merawah principal Andrew McKay said a packed sale complex witnessed a strong sale with spirited bidding from start to finish.
Franco Herefords, Casino, NSW, sold 17 bulls from 31 offered on July 15 for an average of $4264 and top price of $21,000.
Franco Jaywalker, sired by Mawarra Vice Regal, sold to Michael and Robyn Hickey, Armidale, NSW.
Cascade Poll Herefords topped at $18,000 at their on-property sale at Currabubula, NSW, on July 20.
Rated as the best sale ever held by the stud, there was a total clearance of 33 Poll Herefords to average $9879, outgunning the stud’s Angus average of $8639.
The O’Leary family offered and sold 38 bulls at their Remolea stud sale, Clifton, Qld, on July 18.
The top price of $10,000 was reached twice and the sale averaged $5689.
Remolea Kenworth K83, sired by Trefoil Park Blair F35, sold to Wallan Creek Herefords, Drillham, Qld, for $10,000, and equalling the price was Remolea Kenya K35, sired by Evesham Bomber B52, sold to S & M Fletcher.
High demand for females was a highlight of the Rayleigh Poll Hereford sale on July 12 at Burren Junction, NSW.
The sale resulted in 19 bulls selling from the 24 offered to top at $7000 and average $4660.
Repeat buyers Hazel and Ross McAlary, Coonamble, bought the top price bull, Rayleigh Kingdom K47, a son of Yavenvale Benchmark.
Commercial heifers topped at Rayleigh at $1550, with a draft of 12 selling to Castle Cattle Company, Albury.
Arjaym Herefords, Langothlyn, NSW, cleared five bulls from 11 for an average of $5689 and top price of $10,000 on July 18.
Sid Reynolds, Turee Herefords, Coolah, NSW, held a bull and female sale on July 21, with flooding keeping bull buyers away but commercial females sold to a top of $2700.
Repeat clients Wilson Bros, Tamworth, bought 15 heifers with autumn drop calves for $2700 and the seconds for $2400. Depastured autumn joined heifers at Turee sold for $1450.
