Queenslanders brought rays of sunshine from over the border, in the form of solid bidding at the Yulgilbar Santa Gertrudis production sale, with a top price of $41,000 for lot one, rising three year old homozygous poll Yulgilbar Lieutenant L68, by Talgai Hurricane.
The 1183kg bull with an eye muscle area of 143 square centimeters went to repeat client Craig Ross, Nebo, Qld.
The same money was donated by the Yulgibar Foundation to Rural Aid for drought relief, while the Sidney Myer fund has contributed $200,000 to the good cause.
The Sinnamon family’s RL Pastoral Company, Kyogle, bought the rising two year old poll, lot 5 Yulgilbar Major-General M78, for $31,000 after spirited bidding which tested the temperament of this quiet bull, 892kg with a scrotal circumference of 40cm and a 128 sq cm EMA.
RL Pastoral then sold one of its own bulls, Riverina Lord Mayor by Yulgilbar Councillor for the same money to Scott and Rebecca Dunlop, Dunlop Santa stud, Jingeri, at Proston, Qld.
S Kidman and Company paid $30,000 for lot 9 Yulgilbar Monarch M58 by Yulgilbar Co-op.
Valencia Farming at Clermont, Qld paid $18,000 for lot 2 Yulgilbar Magistrate M48.
Craig Atkinson, Cardona Santa stud, Blackwater Qld, bought lot 7 Yulgilbar Mexico M88 for $16,000.
Tim Kirkwood, Disney, Clermont bought two Santa Gertrudis bulls,paying to $10,000 for Yulgilbar Magnetic M44,
“Santa Gertrudis are perfect for us,” Mr Kirkwood said. “They are marketable. Feed lots love them both in Queensland and NSW.”
Disney, of course, has run Santa Gertrudis since it was owned by King Ranch.
Sangus bulls averaged $6083 and reached a top price of $8000 for Yulgilbar Molasses M484, bought by repeat client Richard French, Lorne Vic. The poll, 21 months, presented at 841kg with a scrotal circumference of 38cm, 122sqcm EMA and intra muscular fat at 5.4 per cent.
Mr French also paid to $2000 for a pen of eight commercial Sangus females.
Hanging Rock Station, Coombadjha via Grafton, bought the Sangus bull Yulgilbar Maxwell M486, poll, for $7500.
Repeat Yugilbar client Alan Griffin, manager Pee Dee Pastoral, Bellbrook on the Macley, purchased two Santa Gertrudis bulls this year paying to $5,500 for Yulgilbar Landlord L148, 34 months, who was judged reserve champion at the North Coast National last year.
Pee Dee Pastoral, owned by the O’Sullivan family, has a long history of Santa Gertrudis purchasing King Ranch progeny from Risdon, Warwick Qld, as far back as 1954.
“These bulls suit our country,” said Mr Griffin, who crosses Santa Gertrudis over Droughtmaster and Red Brahman to improve temperament and marketability.
Stud females reach $26,000
Yulgilbar stud female Santa Gertrudis cattle averaged $17,333 and reached a top of $26,000 with a bid from TripADeal co-founder Norm Black, Federal and Myocum via Byron Bay, who purchased Yulgilbar Lucinda L121, 35 months, with a bull calf at foot.
Lucinda was reserve senior champion female at last year’s North Coast National and ranks in the top one per cent in the breed for 400 and 600 day growth. Mr Black intends to build a stud herd.
Mr Black also bought Yulgilbar Marigold, 23 months, mated to Yulgilbar Lieutenant for $16,000 plus 24 commercial Sangas females averaging $1505.
Shannon and Karen Gardner, Nioa Pastoral and Santa stud, Allora Qld, purchased lot 81 Yulgilbar Madonna M43, 23 months, grand-sired by US national champion Co-op, for $10,000.
“The Santa Gertrudis breed has a very exciting future, dominating the steer competitions at Rockhampton and Brisbane this year,” said Mr Gardner.
Matthew Shannon, Crescent Head, purchased Yulgilbar Natalie N165, sired by Yarrawonga Drover, for $8,500. At just 11 months, she is well handled and ready to show in the ring.
The sale was conducted by George and Fuhrmann with Innes Fahey and Darren Perkins taking the bids.