THERE have been a few changes to the details of the annual invitational bull sale, but no changes to the quality, with yet another high performance yarding of bulls set to be presented for this year’s 26th annual Elders Insurance Invitational bull sale.
The 2019 fixture is set the be held at the Muchea Livestock Centre this year and will commence at 12.30pm on Tuesday, February 19.
This year 51 bulls will be presented for sale by seven studs representing six breeds, meaning there will be a strong cross section of breed options for buyers to choose from.
First up, long-time vendors at the annual invitation sale Terry and Sandy Woods will have 14 Terraneil Poll Herefords available.
Born under ideal conditions in 2017, the bulls have since gone through a tough season but despite this, the Woods family is impressed with how well the bulls have performed, demonstrating the stud’s focus on breeding cattle for fertility and do-ability.
Their sale team features Wirruna Kansas, Glen Goulburn Boston and Glen Goulburn Haricot blood, all progeny featuring exceptional figures and visual attributes.
The Terraneil team believe their sale bull line-up represents a selection of bulls for all breeding programs, including bulls for both heifer and mature cows, ideal for producers who want to focus on future cattle returns.
The Murray Grey breed will follow, represented by two vendors including Lindsay Bagshaw, Young Guns stud, with 18 and Trevor and Viv Giles, Willawa stud, with five.
Young Guns stud principal Lindsay Bagshaw is very happy with the team his stud will offer, including a selection of low birthweight bulls for heifer mating.
There is a range of bloodlines available in the sale team suited to a range of buyers, with bulls selected scanning well for fat, muscle and growth.
Willawa stud principal Viv Giles said all five bulls were solid sires with good frames and muscle configurations.
“They also have plenty of length and softness as well as being structurally sound,” Viv said.
The team will include the stud’s first offering of bulls by Errowanbang Kadar K22.
After the Murray Grey teams, there will be just two Angus bulls on offer, these to be presented by Jorja and Denby Young, Islay stud.
The Narrogin-based stud will be back at the Invitational sale this year for the second time and will be followed by two Red Polls from Murray Williams, Yongerellen stud.
“The genetic purity of the Red Poll gives an additional boost to the hybrid vigour in a cross and adds some extra maternal traits to replacement females,” Mr Williams said.
For anyone looking for excellent maternal, growth and carcase traits along with good temperaments, there will be six Shorthorns in the sale ring offered by Colin Price, Talgarth.
It is the balanced, multi-trait performance of the breed which allows Shorthorn cattle to influence profitability by improving traits of economic importance across the board so don’t miss this opportunity if you’re interested in Shorthorn bulls.
Another special buying opportunity will round out the sale with four Ultra Black bulls to be offered by Albert Bookham’s Blackstorm stud.
The grass and hay fed Ultra Black bulls comprise of 81.25 per cent Angus and 18.75pc Brahman influence.
They are early maturing with the average daily weight gain for the sale team at 1.2 kilograms per day on pasture across their life with additional oaten hay over summer.
There are also high levels of natural fertility and calving ease in Ultra Black cattle.
The sale kicks will kick off at 12.30pm so don’t drag your heels and get along early to have a look at the bulls on offer.
To get your hands on a catalogue before sale day, contact Aimee Bendotti on 0427 761 217 or call your local Elders livestock representative.