STRONG demand at the Kidman Poll Hereford Bull sale last week drove prices to $30,000 and averaged $6209 for the 43 of 45 bulls sold.
Kidman Decker H273 by Wiruna Elder E327 attracted the sale's top bid of $30,000, knocked down to Brian Burgess of Ravensdale Poll Herefords, Duri via Tamworth.
The 24-month-old sire was inspected prior to the sale by Ravensdale stud manager Oliver Jeffery who was taken with its maternal pedigree, which goes back to Kidman Minerva Z113.
Mr Burgess said the bull was a "real performance-focused sire" that would complement the Ravensdale program and be used initially over selected stud heifers.
The bull's estimated breeding values (EBVs) included a low birthweight of +3.7kgs, 600-day and mature cow weights of +84 and +62 respectively, high milk at +20, an intramuscular fat (IMF) percentage of +1.0 and grain fed steer $index of +$131.
Another son of Wirruna Elder, Kidman Palisade H279, sold for $11,000 to Injemira Poll Herefords of Ladysmith.
Kellawood Poll Herefords, Albert, also purchased a new stud sire in lot 6 Kidman Heritage H332 for $16,000.
Newcomen Herefords, Ensay, Victoria, purchased a new sire in the Tycolah Gold Rush son Kidman Kin-cade H328 for $8000, while Morocco Poll Hereford stud, Gunnedah, paid the same price for Kidman Essential H217.
While stud interest was strong there was still plenty of good buying for commercial breeders.
David Armitage, Ray White, Dubbo, purchased three bulls on behalf of John Herbig, NH Herbig Pty Ltd, Armatree, at an average of $6333.
The Herbigs have been on Kidman blood for many years and run a commercial Poll Hereford herd, selecting bulls described as being easy on the eye, well grown, easy doing and soft coated with good growth rates.
W.T. Doyle, Warrowie Station, Condobolin, selected four new bulls at an average of $4375 to be used over Santa Gertrudis/Hereford females.
The bulls will be used to bring the majority cross back to Hereford.
The sale resulted in 27 buyers taking home bulls from Bowen in Queensland through to Ensay in Victoria.
Principal Nelson Carlow was pleased with the result of the sale considering the adverse seasonal and market conditions leading up to the sale and ever grateful of the support that was received at the sale.
Elders and Landmark conducted the sale with auctioneers Andy McGeogh and Joel Flemming adding up the bids.
