THE inaugural Minnamurra Speckle Park bull sale at Dulcidene Sale Complex, Dubbo, cleared 35 of 48 bulls at auction to average $4557 and topped at $10,000 on Friday.
Minnamurra stud commenced breeding Speckle Parks in 2011 and now runs 100 breeding females.
The operation's steers have already shown the breed's qualities in the 2015 Beef Spectacular Feedback Trial with four pens of Speckle park/Angus crosses placing in the top ten.
The sale attracted 25 buyers, some first-timers with most being Speckle Park breed enthusiast of several years, coming from the Hunter Valley, Narrabri, Manilla, Bundarra, Bingara, Hillston, and Central Tablelands.
The $10,000 sale-topper was the 746 kilogram Minnamurra Joe J141 (ET) by Spots'n Sprouts Stands Alone 300X and from Codiak Unique GNK 8R - by Codiak Mr. Black RKW 13M - and was purchased by Keith and Christine Sheridan, "Jannali", Gulgong.
The Sheridans have been breeding Murray Greys for the past 10 years but plan to introduce Speckle Park genetics while also become more involved with the purebred side of the breed.
Mr Sheridan said the family had been attracted to Speckled Park cattle and wanted to introduce the breed's beef making traits.
Minnamurra Joe at 18 months of age had an intramuscular fat (IMF) percentage of 6.5, eye muscle area (EMA) of 114 square centimetres and scrotal circumference of 42cm.
Buying two bulls, including the second highest priced bull at $9000 and $7000 for the other, was Robert and Tracey Doak and daughter, Katrina, who run a 300 head Santa Gertrudis herd at "Drogheda", Bundarra, and said Speckle Parks had made "excellent crosses".
"Progeny go to feedlots who gain terrific yields and above average weight gains," Mr Doak said.
The $9000 purchase was another Spots'n Sprouts Stands Alone ET son, Minnamurra Juror J162, from UPTO Specs Tori 10T weighing 708kg at 20 months.
Katrina Doak has started her own stud while Mr and Mrs Doak said their first SpecklePark/Santa heifers were expected to calve to Speckle bulls this week.
The family have been breeding Speckle Parks for the past five years.
Major multi-lot buyer of six bulls topping at $5000 and paying an average of $4900 were Vince and Samantha McAuliffe, VP Grazing Company, "Bellvue", Manilla, who are predominantly Brahman breeders running a 300 cow herd but have been crossing with Speckle Parks for the past five years.
The sale was conducted by Elders Dubbo with Paul Dooley, Paul Dooley Pty Ltd, Tamworth, guest auctioneer.