Repeat restockers paid the top price for Hereford weaner heifers of $1412 at the 2023 annual George and Fuhrmann British breeds weaner sale in northern NSW.
Selling agents George and Fuhrmann Casino yarded a total of 1997 steers and heifers for the March 17 fixture at the Northern Rivers Livestock Exchange. Steers averaged 408c/kg and heifers 357c/kg.
Sponsored by Herefords Australia, the champion pen of steers was judged by Yuglibar manager Brett Ellem and presented to John and Maree Smith, Woodenbong, for a pen of European Union accredited steers averaging 341kg and returning $1341 or 393c/kg.
Jim, Jan, Jamie and Vanessa Smith, Townview, Urbenville, sold EU accredited Hereford steers weighing 322kg for 430c/kg or $1388 to Wickham Farms. Their draft of 177 steers topped at 354kg and averaged $1150 or 421c/kg.
George, Shirley and Karen Hardcastle, McPherson Herefords, Old Koreelah, topped the Hereford steer offering with a pen averaging 314kg, McPherson blood, and returning 442c/kg or $1389.
The family’s heifers sold to first-cross breeder Darryl Amos, Old Bonalbo, and destined for joining to Brahman bulls. They also sold heifers for 402c/kg to Yugilbar Station for their Santa Gertrudis-Hereford program.
Paul and Marian McKey, Bundaleer, Woodenbong, topped the heifers with their pen weighing 282kg returning $1412 or 500c/kg selling to a Whiporie buyer while their brothers weighing 311kg sold for $1282 or 412c/kg.
The Peterson Partnership, Old Koreelah, sold 319kg Hereford steers, Anson and McPherson blood, to a top of $1143 or 358c/kg.
The sale was attended by Herefords Australia chief executive officer Michael Crowley, who said there was strong buyer demand for the high-quality offering of Hereford cattle. The quality on offer was very consistent which was reflected in strong buyer confidence.
Jim and Jan Smith sold a feature line of 230 Santa/Hereford cross weaners in the third leg of the weaner sales series at Casino on March 24. Their top pen of steers weighing 328kg returned 416c/kg or $1367.
Jamie and Vanessa Smith, Upper Toolum, also sold a run of mixed sex, European Union accredited Santa/Hereford weaners. The best of the lighter 200kg steers made 500c/kg or $1000 while a 251kg pen made 480c/kg to return $1205. Their Santa/Hereford cross heifers topped at $1560.
Auctioneer Darren Perkins, George and Fuhrmann Casino, said the Hereford cattle presented well with plenty of weight.
“We saw a very solid market under seasonal conditions with a great many buyers wanting to buy Hereford heifers – we have a massive shortage of good Hereford heifers in the Northern Rivers and we are always looking for them for Bos indicus or purebred joinings,” Mr Perkins said.
“There were a lot of repeat buyers from northern NSW and southeast Queensland on the lead steers for the European Union market, backgrounders, lot feeders and bullock operators.”
Mr Perkins said a total of 9000 head were offered over the three days of selling.
“There were some very good runs of Santa/Hereford cattle and it would be great for people in the Hereford industry to attend the sales to see the quality in those crossbred programs of the Northern Rivers,” he said.
“There is competition every year on the Santa and Brahman/Hereford females with prices this year to expectations.”
Karen and Shirley Hardcastle, Old Koreelah, sold their McPherson blood steers, 314kg, to 442c/kg or $1389.
John and Maree Smith, Woodenbong, with their livestock assistant of eight years Andy Knight and the champion pen of 341kg Hereford steers sold for $1341.
Herefords Australia Chief Executive Officer Michael Crowley attended the Casino sale.
Marian and Paul McKey, Bundaleer, Woodenbong, with 311kg Hereford steers that sold to $1282 or 412c/kg. Images The Land
