OCTOBER 6 was an end to an era for long-time Hereford breeders and Courallie stud principals, Roger and Jann Hann, “Courallie Park”, Bellata.
After announcing their retirement from the Hereford seed stock industry, the pair sold the last of their 210 registered Hereford females, a stud sire and 40 of their yearling bulls.
Their last hurrah in the business was one to remember, with a full clearance of 237 lots, topping at $36,000.
One-hundred and thirty cows with calves were sold to an average of $5431, the 21 dry cows sold for an average of $3142, 46 heifers made an average of $3402 and 40 bulls sold to a top of $9000 and an average of $5312.
Vern Robinson, “Meadowvale”, Woodhouse Lakes, purchased the top lot, Courallie V1 Constnace J564 (AI) (P), for $36,000.
Courallie V1 Constance was a registered stud cow with a registered bull calf, M573, at foot.
The cow was by Bowen Vincent V1 (S) and from Courallie B208 Constance F273 (S), and stood out to Mr Robinson structurally.
The cow had estimated breeding values (EBVs) of +71 for 600 day weight, +2.7 for Eye Muscle Area (EMA), +14 for MIlk and +3.3 for birth weight.
In dollar index values, the cow boasted +$87 for super, +83 for grass, +91 for grain and +91 for European Union (EU).
The bull calf was sired by Elite H284.
Mr Robinson has used Courallie genetics in his Hereford operation before, but the most recent sale was the first time he had purchased animals.
He said he came to the sale to purchase some quality stud females to use in his own stud operation.
The cows will also be used in Mr Robinson’s commercial operation, where he salls cattle to the abattoir market.
The volume buyer was Sam Becker, Jarrah Cattle Company, Rockhampton,Queensland, who purchased 14 lots to top at $20,000 and average $7214.
AuctionsPlus was also a volume buyer of the sale, recording and taking buyers bids live throughout the duration of selling. During the sale, 50 buyers registered on AuctionsPlus and 23 lots were purchased.
Elders stud stock agent, Andrew Meara, said the sale line up was of great quality, with high class genetics up for grabs.
Mr Meara said the fact buyers came from interstate as well as locally showed the great demand for the Courallie cattle, as well as good interest from both commercial and stud breeders.
“The base was propped up by the commercial job and the better end of the females were sold to some pretty well known, established studs,” he said.
The sale result, especially the clearance, was outstanding Mr Meara said and the Hanns should be credited for their work.
Stud principal, Roger Hann, said he was absolutely delighted with the sale result and support from the Hereford community they’ve been a part of so long.
Mr Hann said his final sale exceeded expectation and he was so pleased to see great bidding from members of the Hereford stud industry and a strong presence of commercial buyers too.
With such a great average and top price, Mr Hann said it was a compliment to the work he and his wife had been doing, but also a clear indication confidence in the Hereford industry was high.
“Our sale result was a reflection of where the Hereford market is and going,” he said. The sale was settled by Elders.
