THE 57th Herefords Australia National Show and Sale in Wodonga delivered unprecedented prices for premium Hereford genetics, with the event’s $15,794 average making it the highest averaging bull sale in the breed’s history.
In total, the sale grossed $1,611,000, including 59 junior bulls making $12,847, and 43 senior sires averaging $19,837.
Now close to its 60th year, the well-known Show and Sale was held on Wednesday, 11 May and Thursday, 12 May at the Wodonga Exhibition Centre, with 34 vendors attending the two-day event, and many more accessing the sale online.
Milmerran-based Steve Reid, Talbalba Herefords, presided over judging on Wednesday morning, where the line-up from Peter and Deanne Sykes’ Mawarra Genetics, Longford, Victoria, proved dominant in securing the broad ribbons.
This included 24-month-old Mawarra Ultra Star R182, being sashed Intermediate Champion Bull and Grand Champion of the show, before being secured the next day for $130,000 by Tom Nixon, Devon Court Herefords, Drillham, Queensland – a new sale record.
Other show results included:
- Junior Champion, Mawarra B Show Stopper S001 exhibited by Brandon and Brittany Sykes, Koetong, Victoria
- Reserve Junior Champion, Kymarney Nixon R045 exhibited by Scott Lewington, Kymarney Herefords, Uranquinty, New South Wales
- Reserve Intermediate Champion, Yarrandabbie Richard R004 exhibited by Andrew Green, Yarrandabbie Herefords, Barfold, Victoria
- Senior Champion, Tarcombe Cadbury R056, exhibited by Tim Hayes, Tarcombe Herefords, Ruffy, Victoria
- Reserve Senior Champion, Mawarra Jupiter R044 exhibited by Peter and Deanne Sykes, Mawarra Genetics, Longford, Victoria
Following a hiatus of face-to-face events due to COVID-19, the crowd enjoyed the opportunity to network over the two days. The dinner on Wednesday night was a highlight, with more than 130 people attending the event at Huon Hill Hotel, and many bidding enthusiastically for items in the Youth Auction, which raised $15,811.
