The Land

Champion stud offers up some of its top stock in landmark sale

Warragundi Beef Co.'s Debbie, Alex and Matt Kelley standing next to their champion bull Warragundi Minnesota M001 as he is awarded the Urquhart Trophy by RAS cattle committee chairman Greg Watson and RAS president Robert Ryan at this year's Royal Easter Show.
Warragundi Beef Co.'s Debbie, Alex and Matt Kelley standing next to their champion bull Warragundi Minnesota M001 as he is awarded the Urquhart Trophy by RAS cattle committee chairman Greg Watson and RAS president Robert Ryan at this year's Royal Easter Show.

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Champion stud Warragundi Beef Co. is hoping to pull big numbers for its inaugural on-property bull sale, which be held later this month. 

While the first sale comes at an extremely challenging time, the stud is hopeful it will enjoy strong interest following on from its continued success in the show ring, particularly at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

Manager Matt Kelley says while things might be hard this year, now is the time to start looking for good genetics and planning for the future.  

“Out of adversity comes opportunity,” he explained.

“When you’re going through a drought the last thing people want to do is go out and buy a bull… but it’s a really good opportunity for people to acquire some really good genetics without having to pay through the roof for them.” 

In previous years, the Currabubula based Poll Hereford Stud has traveled long distances to sell their top quality stock at national sales. Or, it has relied on private sales.

However, after three years of continued success in the show ring the Kelley family have decided to take their operations to the next level.

The sale will see an offering of the stud’s top quality stock, with 35 performance recorded Poll Herefords bulls, seven stud full blood Wagyu bulls and six semen lots all set to go under the hammer. 

The impressive Yagool Jet, whose first sons will be offered at the August 24 sale.
The impressive Yagool Jet, whose first sons will be offered at the August 24 sale.

Warragundi has been a force to be reckoned with on the show circuit for a number of years. In fact, for a first generation stud, their results are nothing short of amazing. 

They were the most successful exhibitors in the Hereford breed at the 2016 and 2017 Sydney Royal Easter Shows but shot to new heights this year when their champion bull Warragundi Minnesota M001 was awarded the prestigious Urquhart Trophy. This month, he will be sold to the highest bidder.

Other standouts include three more brilliant sons of Warragundi Johnny Reb (the sire of Warragundi Minnesota), the first sons of Days Banner (whose progeny were represented in the 2018 show team) and the first sons of Yalgoo Jet (the stunning 1180kg heifer bull which has become essential to the breeding program).

The stud has been building it’s genetic base for a long time. The Kelley family have had a commercial farming operation for more than 25 years and their stud operations commenced in 2007. They’ve secured some of the top genetics from across the country, buying females from Debarry, Merawah, Keswick, Heatherdale and Ebbx Stud Dispersals as well as Markowen Stud, Mt Difficult, Sevenbardot and Oldfield. Today, they have a stud herd of more than 200 females. 

“Due to the dry conditions, we were unable to prepare these animals on the usual winter oat crop as would have been our preferred option,” Mr Kelley explained. 

“(But) in the recent months some of the bulls have been supplemented with a pelleted ration and hay. They were on forage sorghum over the summer and autumn. The balance, which comprised our Sydney Show team, have been fed hay and supplemented with a light ration of oats and lupins.”

Warragundi Beef Co. is proudly owned and operated by the Kelley family.
Warragundi Beef Co. is proudly owned and operated by the Kelley family.

​An on-property sale has long been their goal and they’ve enjoyed the planning process. They’ve built a rink on the property and have plans to make the sale an annual event.

Both Matt and wife Deb have been passionate about the land their entire lives. They’ve both been keen competitive horse riders since they were children and have always aspired to run their own cattle and horse stud. 

However, without a family farm to inherit they’ve had to work hard for every dollar they’ve invested in the business. Next month’s sale will see a culmination of that work and open a momentous new chapter in the history of their stud.  

The sale will be held at the Currabula property on Friday, August 24. Inspections will be available from 9.30am and the sale will commence at 1.30pm, following a speech by keynote speaker Michael Crowley from MLA Australia at 1pm.

Selling Agents include Elders’ Andy McGeoch (0418 737 470), Paul Jamieson (0428 667 998), Brian Kennedy (0427 844 047) and Andrew Meara (0427 210 634). Davidson Cameron’s Luke Scicluna (0428 421 828), Tom Tanner (0448 462 177), Dave Henry (0427 421 829) and Scott Newberry (0447 624 440) will also represent. Phone bidding will also be available through these agents.

Pre-sale inspections can also be arranged by phoning Matt (0498 687 608) or Deb (0429 659 385).

For more information visit www.warragundi.com.au.

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