CATERING to the current market and offering bulls that are early maturing and maintain well on grass or in the feedlot is top of the agenda for Rydal-based Violet Hills Charolais.
With 38 bulls offered, a clearance of 30 at auction and others sold privately after auction, a top of $9500 and an average of $5100, the Jenkins family was happy with the turn-out of repeat and new buyers.
Buyers came from NSW and Victoria with viewers also on the AuctionsPlus format.
The top-priced bull, Violet Hills Marcello(P), is by Violet Hills Jolly Joker out of Violet Hills Fredericka.
An August 2016 drop calf, he has Charolais Group Breedplan estimated breeding values (EBVs) of +0.5 kilograms for birthweight (BW), 400-day figures of +34kg and a mature cow weight (MCW) of +55kg.
His current weight as at April 17, 2018, was 774 kg, with a rump fat of eight millimetres and rib fat at 6mm.
He was purchased by the Inder family, “Rockwell”, Merriwa who are first time purchasers from this stud.
“We have heard good reports about these cattle so we thought we would come for a look,” Mr Inder said
“The growth rate of the Charolais breed over our Angus cows is very good, they give us a lot of capacity so we can turn the cattle off at a young age.
“I thought this bull was thick and had good EMDs.
“He is structurally correct but soft enough for what we do. His maturity is ideal for the supermarket trade.
“He will be joined to our Angus cows and then the calves will be weaned and fattened for trade.”
The Inder family also purchased another bull at $4000. Violet Hills Malone, a Violet Hills Flambeau son with a current weight of 770kg.
Fifth-time attendee, Owen Mackaway, Mackaway Pastoral Co, Tia River, Walcha, took home a draft of five bulls with an average of $6800.
His draft included the second top priced bull at $9000, Violet Hills Magnificent (P), also sired by Violet Hill Jolly Joker and out of Violet Hills Engage, an August 2016 drop calf. His EBVs include +2.9 kg for BW, 400-day figures of +36kg and a MCW of +59kg.
His current weight as at April 17, 2018, was 896kg, with a rump fat of 10mm and rib fat at 8mm.
“We like the bulls. They are lovely quiet bulls with thickness and good doing ability,” Mr Mackaway said.
“They will be put with our Shorthorns cross cows for the export bullock market.
“They come from a climate much like ours and perform well for us.”
Also volume buyers were the Rogers family, Woluma, who purchased three bulls for an average of $4000 and the Summerell family, Woluma, who took home three bulls for an average of $5000.
Violet Hills co-principal, Daryl Jenkins, was very happy considering the circumstances and the extensive drought everywhere.
“It was very nice to see some new clients and existing clients coming back which indicates that we are doing the right thing and they are happy with the results they are achieving.
“We try to have a uniform draft, the feeling is that middle of the road, early maturing bull is the one that they require.
“The whole idea of the business is to try to assess the market and then cater for it.
“The highlight was the number of people who came, we were worried about the extensive dry throughout Victoria and NSW,” Mr Jenkins said.
The sale was conducted by Elders Bathurst with Brian Kennedy wielding the gavel.