Looking for an outstanding son of Allendale Anzac was one of the reasons behind the decision by Ross and Andrew Bennett, Bendulla Poll Herefords Stud, Mundulla, SA in partnership with Terry and Sandy Woods, Terraneil Poll Hereford stud, Beverley, WA to outlay $27,000 in securing Wirruna Ledger during the 2018 autumn bull and female sale at Wirruna, Holbrook.
Held on account Ian Locke and his family, the offering of 61 Poll Hereford bulls saw a sale average of $7143 for the 56 sold, while there was a one hundred percent clearance of the 62 females offered to top price $6,500.
Stud principal Ian Locke noted as the sale began that this was the first offering of stock which have been DNA tested, and with the use of genomic evaluation.
“This means information is now provided is clearer and much better than ever before, enabling beef producers to make decisions with more clarity,” he said.
“We hope our bulls will become incrementally better because of these tools.”
When speaking about the top-priced bull, Terry Woods noted he and the Bennett brothers have purchased from Wirruna in past years, and have great success with the progeny of sires bought.
“His figures were complimented by a structurally correct body,” Mr Woods said.
With figures of top one percent for marbling and top five percent for EMA, Mr Woods pointed out the bull well above the average for the breed.
Mr Wood said there aren’t any bulls of the Allendale Anzac sire line in WA and he will be a very valuable addition to their genetic direction.
The draft of bulls was arranged into the following groups – Wirruna sires, growth bulls, muscle bulls, heifer bulls and herd bulls – which allows producers to specifically target a group for their future sire.
Excellent sales recorded included one at $20,000 bought by Kevin Hillsdon, Rockley: one at $18,000 bought by interests from the UK, David Kelly, “Masergh”, Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria and one $15,500 purchased by John Cowcher, Williams, WA.
Brock Fletcher, Cohuna, Victoria paid $15,500 for his choice of the offering.
Among volume buyers, return clients Harry and Sue Ryder, Mt Beauty, Victoria secured a draft of four paying to $6,000 while Sandy Tait, “Gunnong Jugrawah”, Coolac bought two bulls to $9,500 and Jane Harding, Yass purchased two bulls for $7,500 and $7,000.
Single purchasers included Cathy O’Malley, Molesworth, Vic who paid $12,500 for her selection and Ben Monie, Little Plain who took home his new sire for $9,000.
In the female offering, Ted Hill, Ravensthorpe, WA purchased four PTIC cows for $6,500, $6,000, $5,000 and $3,500 while Tim King, Digilah Station, Dunedoo bought three PTIC cows for $3,000 average along with 15 cows PTIC for $1,850 average.
Mr Locke was very pleased with the result and said clients are getting the returns from using his genetics.
“There was a lot of support at the top end,” he said.
“It defied what I thought would happen … I thought we might leave a few more in the paddock.”
The sale conducted under the Helmsman system was interfaced with AuctionsPlus through whom eight bulls were acquired was settled by Atkins Livestock Marketing, Albury.
