A LARGE volume buyer from Queensland was in hot pursuit of Fleckvieh bulls during the Canberra Fleckvieh Feature Show Sale held at the Royal Canberra Show on Saturday.
Chasing early maturing, soft, moderate bulls with milking ability, Dean and Paula Armstrong from Comet Downs Cattle Company, Emerald, Qld, took home a total of 10 bulls for an average of $3950.
Their top-priced purchase was Daraabah Monte, the senior champion bull of the Fleckvieh show, who they secured for $6000. By Newlands Finnigan from Wondenia Felecity, the 20-month-old bull weighed 802kg.
Mr Armstrong said they operate a cross-breeding program aiming to produce fat cattle.
“We sell everything as bullocks so as JapOx [market]. We need something that is early maturing, not overly big with good meat and thickness and milking ability,” he said.
“These bulls fit the bill and were good value for money. “
This is the first time the Armstrongs will use Fleckvieh, but they have used Simmental in the past amongst a range of other breeds.
“The bulls will be used over Santa Gertrudis and Braham cows with some Charolais, Angus and Speckle park genetics,” Mr Armstrong said.
The entire sale hit a top of $9000 and a $4710 average for twelve bulls sold of the 20 offered. Nine females of the 11 offered sold to a top of $4500 and a $3220 average.
Landmark Wondoan purchased the sale-topper, Daraabah McCool, exhibited by Bruce and Melinda McColl, Dubbo, for $9000.
The 18-month-old bull weighed 778 kilograms and was by Daraabah Jumping Jackflash form Wondenia Flute. It was selected as the junior and grand champion bull earlier that day by judge, Dr Thomas Grupp, Bayern Genetik, Germany.
Daraabah Mr Majestic, offered by Lochie McColl, was the second top-priced bull purchased for $8000 by R. and J. Pepper Holdings, Nowra.
By PHS Polled Worldwide 14W from Daraabah Jazz, the 20-month-old bull weighed 790kg and was the reserve senior champion bull.
The top-priced female, Karova Pelastein exhibited by George and Sylvia Cassar, Caffreys Flat, sold for $4500 to Nirralea Holsteins, Scott Creek, Victoria.
By Walennstein from Karova Paebela 2nd, the four-year-old cow had a heifer calf at foot by Naralinga Boris.
Maddie McColl’s Fleckvieh heifer calf champion, Glenanna Neve, sold for $3500 to R. and J. Pepper Holdings, Nowra. The 10-month-old female was sired by Daraabah Kiksum from Glenanna Jeniveve.
Semen sold for a top of $65 per straw for 10 straws of BFG Booroola. Two lots were offered and sold at that price to Daraabah Fleckvieh stud, Dubbo, and Herlo Park Fleckvieh stud, Mulgoa.
The sale was live streamed with online bids taken through Elite Livestock Auctions, Qld. Four lots, including the sale-topper, were sold to online bidders.
Glasser Total Sales Management (GTSM) conducted the sale with Michael Glasser as the auctioneer.
