SANTA Gertrudis bulls went to three states in a total auction clearance of 42 head topping at $18,000 to average $6738 during the ninth annual Rockingham Invitation sale at Tara Station, Condobolin, last Thursday.
Bulls from three studs, the Hague family’s Rockingham, Moxey family’s Denngal and Carter family’s Birrimba studs plus 360 commercial females sold above all expectations against one of the longest dry periods in recent years.
Rockingham’s 33 bulls topped at $12,000 and averaged $6682, eight Denngal bulls sold to $18,000 to average $7125 and one from Birrimba sold at $5500.
Denngal’s saletopper was Denngal Legend (P), by Waco Xcel (P) and from the Warenda Require sired Denngal Camelia F32, the heaviest bull catalogued at 1072 kilograms at 28 months purchased by Andrew Bassingthwaighte, Yarrawonga stud, Wallumbilla, Qld.
Mr Bassingthwighte said Legend had a lot of appeal and while not a big bull, had a huge weight. The bull had stood second to the interbreed grand champion at Brisbane Royal Show tis year and his dam was junior champion Sydney Royal 2012 and senior champion 2013.
“We’ll put him to some multiple cows or some heifers for starters, I’m not sure yet,” he said.
Geoff and Jamie Becker, Jamally stud, “Alkoomie”, Taroom, Qld, paid the second top price at $12,000 among two purchases for Rockingham L112 (PS) by Goolagong G034 and from Rockingham F129 by Gorest Park 6497.
Jamie Becker said this bull had a wonderful temperament, was polled, had a neat sheath and had the ability to lay down fat. He weighed 702kg at 24 months.
Murtee Pastoral, Tullibigeal, paid $10,000 for the 802kg 26 months-old Rockingham Le-Groove by Rockingham H104, a son of Swan Hill R1598.
Major multi-lot buyer of six bulls to $5500 twice and $4583 was Australian Green Properties, “Murray Downs”, Alice Springs, NT, while Roger Hatton of the Hatton Family Trust, Diamond H stud, “Murungha”, Wandoan, Qld, bought three bulls averaging $6667 and topping at $9000 and Berry Pastoral, Condobolin, bought three to $8000 and $7333.
A total of 360 commercial females sold with two-year-old Rockingham PTIC heifers making $1550 each and the Smith family’s Maranoonbah, Condobolin, PTIC heifers at $1300 each and unjoined Santa/Hereford cross heifers making $900.
The Moxey family’s Denngal Charolais/Santa cross unjoined heifers made $1200 a head while Budda Station heifers weighing upwards of 180kg sold at $500 each.
The sale was conducted by Landmark Russell, Cobar, and John Settree, auctioneer.