A TRIO of Shorthorn breeders pushed bidding up to $30,000 to secure the top-priced bull of the Futurity Shorthorn on-property sale at Kenebri near Baradine last Thursday.
This year 45 of 53 bulls sold at auction to average $9000 and went to five states.
The long-term partnership of Trent Johnston, Trojon stud, Lyndhurst, and Lonnie Stone of Southern Cross stud, Purelwaugh, were joined by commercial crossbreeder, Bernie McBain, of Fort Hood Cattle Company, Binnaway, in the purchase of the 24-month-old Futurity Lazarus L159 (P), by Yamburgan Zeus, weighing 940 kilograms.
Lazarus carries an eye muscle area (EMA) of 140 square centimetres and an intramuscular fat (IMF) percentage of 6.3.
Mr Johnston said he bought the bull on its lower birthweights and good 200-, 400- and 600-day growth rates.
“He’s also got a breed average for IMF and a moderate frame but plenty of carcase and meat,” he said.
Mr Stone said he liked Lazarus’ carcase qualities.
“The Zeus sons we have seen have been pretty good but he’s more out of the box,” he said.
“There’s more thickness and carcase to him than other Zeus sons and he has good numbers to match.”
For the past 10 years Mr McBain has crossed Shorthorns over Santa Gertrudis cows and has used Futurity Honey Badger in AI programs.
Artimore and Partners, Tintinara, South Australia, paid $19,000 for Futurity London L207 (P) a son of Southcote Hero weighing 926kg at 24 months with a 135sqcm EMA and 6.4pc IMF.
Another selling at $19,000 was Futurity Lionel Ritchie L193 (P), by Southcote Hero, weighing 830kg and bought by the Bowman family, “Gundy”, Tooraweenah.
Futurity Lucky Phil L227 (P), by Bayview Redford, weighing 902kg at 24 months was bought for $18,000 by the Rollins family, Coolamon.
Silverwood Pastoral Comapny, Carrick,Tasmania, paid $13,000 for Futurity Lenno L210 (P) by Futurity Honey Badger and at 23 months weighed 880kg and has an EMA of 130sqcm and an IMF of 7.3pc.
The sale was conducted by Elders and Landmark with Michael Smith, Elders Toowoomba the auctioneer.