WITH the 21st Commonwealth Games in full swing on Queensland’s Gold Coast, WA pipped the sunshine state on western soil to claim the cherry red medal at the Biara Santa Gertrudis stud’s 13th on-property bull sale, netting a personal best and sale record in the process.
Landmark Mt Barker agent Harry Carroll held his nerve to emerge victorious at $14,000 on behalf of clients the Buckenara family, Buckenara Pty Ltd, Bremer Bay.
Mr Carroll outlasted the Greenup family, Rosevale stud, Jandowae, Queensland, who were bidding by phone through Santa Gertrudis Breeders Australia Association (SGBAA) Queensland-based general manager Steve Ware, on his first visit to WA.
The result eclipsed the previous record of $13,000 bid by the Sounness family, Merryup stud, Mt Barker, which had stood for 17 years since 2001 when Biara was still part of the annual WALSA invitational Narngulu multibreed bull sale.
Biara 6071 (PP), a double-polled son of Rosevale Crackerjack (PS) and out of Greenup Doo Hickey D136 (PS) daughter, Biara 1004 (P), offered in lot six was the record breaker under the hammer of Landmark auctioneer Tiny Holly.
Like all Biara lots on the day, the classified S, 23-month-old, deep bodied, well muscled bull was Breedplan recorded, had been semen and morphology tested and was one of selected lots to be horn-poll tested pre-sale.
With some of the best figures in the catalogue it weighed 766kg for a daily weight gain (DWG) of 1.06kg/day with a 40cm scrotal and 93 per cent morphology.
“This bull is going to a long-time supporter of Biara genetics who always looks towards the top end of the catalogue for bulls to use for breeding some of his own bulls back down in Bremer Bay,” Mr Carroll said.
“His requirements are very specific, we look for a very particular type – fleshy, softness, meat and muscle and good feet.
“We need the bulls to be technically right and structurally correct.
“The figures helped too but this fella just stood out and going up against Eastern States stud competition gives you an indication of the noticeable quality here.”
Buckenara Pty Ltd also outlaid $8000 for a 746kg son of Rosevale Harlequin (P), which had a DWG of 1.01kg/day, 40cm scrotal and 86pc morphology.
In total, the sale saw 48 Santa Gertrudis bulls sell from 65 offered for a $5328 average, $159 less than last year when the result was a total clearance of 59 head at a $5487 average.
Biara also offered five Sangus bulls with two selling at $3000 each for an overall result of 50 bulls sold from 70 offered at a $5235 average, down $138 on 2017, largely impacted by the dry in much of the northern pastoral zone.
Equal second top price honours, $9500, was shared by Biara regular Jim Quadrio, Granite Peak station, Wiluna and first time buyers Jeremy and Len Forbes, LG & AE Forbes, East Chapman.
The Forbes took lot seven, the 23-month old Biara 6018 (PP) (AI) by Wilgaroon Dunkirk (P) out of a Rosevale Cobb & Co (P) daughter with figures of 756kg, 1.02kg/day DWG, 40cm scrotal and 89pc morphology.
Mr Quadrio’s fancy was lot 36, a 22-month old Biara 6089 (P), by Rosevale Crackerjack (P) and out of a Rosevale Bandanna (P) daughter with figures of 736kg, 1.04kg/day DWG, 38cm scrotal and 90pc morphology.
He also bid to $8000 for a double polled Wilgaroon Dunkirk (P) son with figures of 738kg, 0.99kg/day DWG, 36cm scrotal and 95pc morphology and $5500 for a third bull.
The Forbes are currently running Brahman and Santa Gertrudis-Angus cross females but it is their intention to breed towards a predominantly Santa Gertrudis herd with some Angus infusion.
“This bull had good numbers, size and colour and good growth rate,” Jeremy Forbes said.
“This is the first time we’ve bought a bull as we’ve been AI’ing previously and have used some similar genetics to those that have been used at Biara.”
Mr Quadrio was similarly impressed with his purchase saying the 23-month old bull was nice and thick, well-muscled with good conformation.
“I thought he stood out very nicely in the sale ring,” he said.
“Basically he’s a good all-rounder which is what you want in a bull.”
The bull will go to work in a Santa Gertrudis and Santa Gertrudis cross herd.
Bob Hose, RJ & HM Hose, Northampton, secured a double polled AI son of Wightfields Downpour (P) for $9000, while Ian and Anne Halleen, Halleen Livestock, Bindoon, bought at $8000 and Dean Ryan, Minnie Creek station, Meekatharra, paid to $7500 at a $5875 average for four.
Volume buyers were Les Parsons, Coolawanyah station, Tom Price, who bought eight to a top of $7000 and average of $5875 and Donald Hogg, Kinclaven station, Rawlinna, who finished with 13 to a top of $5500 and an average of $3808.
Landmark auctioneer Tiny Holly said despite the quality line-up the clearance was affected by the season and people were selective.
“That said we had buyers from Bremer Bay to Tom Price, Rawlinna and Wiluna so a pretty fair representation of the State,” Mr Holly said.
Biara stud co-principal Glenn Hasleby expressed a bit of disappointment at the clearance but was generally happy with the sale result.
“We were missing a few major regular buyers today but the clear message from those in attendance was they don’t want horns, the clean poll (double poll) bulls were keenly sought and temperament is important,” he said.
“Season permitting we intend to ramp up our breeding program to include 100 females in an AI mating program and take about 30 into an ET program.”
