A RECORD average of $7411 was set for Weebollabolla Shorthorn stud this year at their annual sale last Friday in Moree.
Despite a week of very wet weather and a few closed roads, a good crowd of buyers turned up to the sale sending it to a top of $22,000, with 93 of the 100 bulls offered selling.
The top priced bull was purchased by Chris Francis, “Gobothery”, Forbes, who has been a long term buyer of Weebolla’s.
Weebolla K50 by Weebollabolla Finlay F120 had Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) in the top one per cent of the breed for carcase weight with a score of +55.
He boasted EBVs of +56 for 400-day-weight, +76 for 600-day-weight and +9 for milk, ranking him in the top five pc of the breed. The bull was above average for his Eye Muscle Area (EMA) of +4.2 and his Intra Muscular Fat (IMF) of +0.5.
The 974 kilogram bull measured 10 and 13 millimeters for rib and rump fat, had an EMA of 134 square centimetres and a scrotal circumference of 42cm.
Mr Francis said the bull had great structural correctness and was a “very athletic animal”, with god feet and legs.
The Francises run a shorthorn commercial herd and produce cattle for the feedlot trade, usually selling them between 400 to 500kg.
Richard Braham was the volume buyer of the sale, purchasing eight bulls to top at $8000 and average $5875.
The bulls will be used at both Jeogla and Wallamumbi station, Armidale, where they’ll be joined over mostly Shorthorn cross Angus cows.
Mr Braham said he’s been purchasing the Weebolla bulls for about six years, with the bull’s temperament being one of their highlights. Their moderate frame and the great progeny they produce were also bonuses.
Mr Braham produces cattle for the weaner market but also hits target weights for the feedlots and abattoirs.
“The Weebollabolla cattle perform on all of these different markets,” he said.
Robert and John Mclellan, “Bluelight”, Carinda, were also volume buyers, purchasing seven bulls to top at $10,000 and average $5571.
The repeat buyers purchase Weebolla bulls for their great temperament and performance.
They will use the bulls over their commercial Shorthorn herd which produces cattle for the grassfed market, selling them when they reach 500kg.
Co stud principal, Jen Jeffreys, said she was extremely pleased with the sale result.
Buyers travelled from Queensland’s Rockhampton to Winnaleah in Tasmania, showing the versatility of the bulls.
The sale reached a full clearance after the fall of the hammer.
