Franco and Parson Hill Hereford studs held its annual horned bull sale at Woodview, via Casino, on Saturday with lot one Franco Liber L621 topping the event at $9000. The sale in total averaged $5000.
Of the 28 lots, 26 sold with Rob Reid, Wodonga, paying top dollar for the two year old son of Sugarloaf Haymaker H126, purchased by the stud at the 2014 Hereford National for $41,000.
Franco Liber impressed with growth figures 71kg above average for 400 day weights as well as strong milk figures.
Mr Reid went into partnership with Sugarloaf Creek Herefords, Corryong, Victoria, paying $8000 for lot 16 Franco Lifesaver L707, by Mawarra Vice Regal from Franco Adventuress T045.
Andrew Klippel, Sugarloaf Creek, said he travelled to Casino to support the sons of Haymaker with no intention of buying any more bulls but was so taken by Franco Lifesaver for his remarkable hindquarter that is ‘very hard to find’. Lifesaver will be put over stud cows after their second or third calf.
Peter Grogan, Tenterfield, paid $8000 for lot 8, Franco Kapow K358, by Ironbark Neon E135 from Franco Harmony G701.
Compared to last year the demand for Franco-bred horned bulls was very strong and principal Frank Hannigan said progeny travelled south of the border and west to the black soil.
Repeat buyer Michael Tanner, Tamworth bought four bulls, including lot 12 Franco Leonardo L608 by Sugarloaf Haymaker H126 and lot 19 Franco Largo L521 by Battalion Brunswick.
A good portion of bulls sold to repeat local buyers such as Phil Ducat, Old Bonalbo, who for $6500 purchased lot 23, rising two year old Franco Luck of the Irish L620 from a very good cow by an unknown commercial bull.
“You don’t have to be Einstein to work out who his sire may be,” spruiked the sale catalogue.
Mr Ducat chose the bull on length, thickness, milkiness for weaner production and because he was of a correct type, not just because he might have been by Sugarloaf Haymaker, although his Victorian breeders are convinced of the connection. Luck of the Irish will help to service 400 Hereford females on fairly rugged hill country at Old Bonalbo.
“Franco’s bulls are acclimatised to this area,” Mr Ducat noted.
Grant Bulmner, Mountana via Kyogle purchased three bulls, two of them by Red Hill Driven including Franco Loch Lomand L400 from a Franco Winifred.
Repeat buyers Jim and Jan Smith, ‘Townview’ Urbenville use Hereford females in their Santa Gertrudis cross system and purchased two bulls; rising three year old, lot 32, Parson Hill Kennedy K410 by Red Hill Driven and lot 20 Franco Landlord L806 by Franco Grand from Franco Nurse E861.
Another return client, Darryl Henry, Tamworth, bought lot 6, Franco Kingswood K420 by Red Hill Driven and lot 9 Parson Hill Lionheart L508 by Sugarloaf Haymaker from a Parson Hill Camilla.
“We have found interest strong in horned bulls,” said Mr Hannigan who at last year’s Glen Innes Whiteface sale secured top bid for another horned Hereford, Battalion Black Hawke, paying $45,000 in partnership with Thornleigh Herefords, Little Plain via Inverell.
“There are people who want horned Hereford,” said Mr Hannigan. “And we find they have more sticking power, especially in drought.”
