HEREFORD bulls reached a high of $11,000 and averaged $6050 at the ninth annual on-property bull sale at “Truro”, Bellata, on Monday.
Twenty of 30 bulls offered by Scott and Pip Hann sold, with most going to repeat clients.
Tony and Belinda Bennett, “Culloden”, Bellata, bought the top-priced bull, Truro Lone Pine L020, a 27-month-old son of Tummel Young Gun 18 and Truro Daffodil H024.
Lone Pine was the heaviest bull in the catalogue, weighing 972 kilograms, and had a scrotal circumference of 41 centimetres, with estimated breeding values (EBVs) of +4.6 for birthweight and +31, +55 and +84 for 200-, 400- and 600-day weight.
Two bulls – Truro Lieutenant L102 and Truro Local Hero L206 – made $10,000, with both going to Ian Gardiner, manager of “Kickerbell”, Willow Tree.
Lieutenant, by Tummel Ventriloquist H535 from Truro Innocent D012, weighed 812kg and measured 38cm in the scrotum. The 23-month-old was in the top five per cent of the breed for 600-day growth and top 20pc for eye muscle area (EMA), with EBVs of +33, +60 and +99 for 200-, 400- and 600-day weight.
Local Hero, a 24-month-old son of Truro Holy Dooley and Truro Koala F107, weighed 801kg and had a scrotal size of 41cm, with EBVs of +23, +49 and +75 for 200-, 400- and 600-day weight.
Victorian stud producer Phill Commins, Nunniong Herefords, Ensay, bought one of two $8000 bulls, Truro Lonestar L052, with the other $8000 bull, Truro Le Mans L098, going to Philip Currey, “Glenroy”, Narrabri.
Four bulls – Truro Lawson L095, Truro Limited Edition L092, Truro Longbow L096, and Truro Levi L082 – reached $7000.
Mr Gardiner was the sale’s volume buyer, taking home four bulls averaging $8000.
Ken and Sue Cudmore, “Eulabah”, Quirindi; Charlie Hamilton, “Erroldoon”, Wee Waa; and Mark Iliffe, “Carinya”, Manilla, each purchased two bulls, averaging $5500, $5500 and $4500 respectively.
Stud principal Scott Hann said next year’s sale would include sons of $40,000 bull Merawah Highlight E62, with half the catalogue set to be polled bulls to cater for all Truro clients.
The sale was settled by Landmark Narrabri, with Paul Dooley at the rostrum.