STRONG support from repeat clients pushed prices to a top of $20,000 and averaged $8888 at the annual Merawah Poll Hereford bull sale at “Merawah”, Boggabilla.
The purchasers of the top-priced bull, Merawah Hero L35, were longtime Merawah clients Steve and Rebecca Cadzow, Mt Riddock Station, Alice Springs, Northern Territory.
The Allendale Anzac E114 son weighed 984 kilograms, had an eye muscle area (EMA) of 137 square centimetres and 5.8 per cent intramuscular fat (IMF), and was in the top 10pc of the breed for 200-, 400- and 600-day weight as well as EMA and IMF.
The Cadzows, who have used more than 300 Merewah Poll Herefords in their high performing herd, based two-and-a-half hours north east of Alice Springs, were the volume buyers, taking home 12 bulls for an average of $8583.
Two bulls – Merawah Anzac L57 add Tenaru Legendary L25 – reached $16,000.
Merawah Anzac L57, also by Allendale Anzac E114, sold to stud producers Steve and Jodie Peake, Bowen Poll Herefords, Barraba.
The 23-month-old weighed 882kg with an EMA of 125cm2 and had growth figures in the top 5pc of the breed. He was in the top 10pc for IMF.
The second $16,000 bull, Tenaru Legendary L25, was offered by longtime Merawah team members Kelly and Teeny Runzer, Tenaru Poll Herefords.
Legendary was bought by Bruce Staniforth, "Bogong", Condoblin, who liked the power and volume of the Allendale FCF Barkly son, who weighed 980kg with an EMA of 135cm2.
Mr Staniforth also paid $14,000 for Merawah Gambler L8.
Also heading down to Condoblin was Tenaru Limited L6 who sold to Phil Harding, "Brooklyn", Condoblin for $14,000.
Chris Whitney, Pocupar Park Poll Herefords, Bonalbo, paid $12,000 for another Anzac son, Merawah Manning L34.
Manning weighed 960kg with an EMA of 132cm2 and had the highest IMF in the catalogue at 6.5pc.
Other successful buyers included the Sparkes family, Hornet Bank Pastoral Company, Taroom, who secured three bulls for an average of $12,333 for their large-scale breeding enterprise in southern Qld.
Continuing dry conditions in western Qld and NSW had an impact towards the end of the sale, with 38 of 43 bulls sold for a clearance of 88 per cent.
Merawah stud principal Andrew Mackay was happy with buyers’ comments on the easy fleshing and good performance of the sale offering, but said he hoped for a break in the season for some clients.
The sale was settled by Elders Goondiwindi, with Paul Dooley, Tamworth, as auctioneer.