The third annual Minnamurra Speckle Parks sale at the Reid family’s property “Mount Mill”, Coolah, last Friday attracted an eager gallery of bidders.
The offering of 46 bulls and 50 heifers saw 24 yearling bulls, 11 older bulls and also a complete clearance of the heifers, with further bulls sold after the auction.
Opening the sale was David Johner, of Johner Stock Farm, Saskatchewan, Canada. He and his son, Justin, bred the sire bull, Redneck JSF Whiskey 4B.
A bidding war erupted over Minnamurra Nero N15 (AI), a 15-month-old, Redneck JSF Whiskey 4B son who weighed 608kg on April 3, had an eye muscle area (EMA) of 101cm2 and a scrotal circumference of 31cms.
He was sold at $32,000 to a syndicate of five studs from NSW, Victoria and New Zealand.
Paul Hourn, Hanging Rock Speckle Parks, and Robbie Clark, Parkvale, New Zealand, represented the syndicate onsite.
The same syndicate took the high-priced bull at last year’s sale although more entities have since joined.
“We cant fault him,” Mr Hourn said. “He has everything going for him as a young bull, the structure, disposition, he is a complete package.
“His softness, skin, testicles, muscle, feet, soundness and he has good bone make him a true stud bull. He will be a huge asset to the syndicate. He is worth every cent.
“Our plans are to collect semen for use locally and overseas, then he will go to Hanging Rock to be prepared for the Sydney Royal next year.”
Robbie Clark said every breed needs a Minnamurra. “What they have done worldwide is huge because of their scale, you can test these bulls in both stud and commercial worlds.
“This stud are a huge asset to the breed, without them the Speckle Park breed wouldn't be where it is now in the southern hemisphere.
“Next year the prices will be stronger again. The next generation coming through are outstanding.”
Second top priced bull, also a Redneck JSF Whiskey 4B son, Minnamurra Marlin M4 (AI), at 20-months-old, He weighed 740kg, had an EMA of 106cm and scrotal circumference of 36cm.
Return purchasers, Justin and Amy Dickens, JAD Speckle Parks, came specifically to look for JFK Whiskey sons.
“We have seen the bull in Canada and are really impressed with the carcase on them, they carry a great amount of muscle and good level of fat cover as well.” Mr Dickens said
“He has a good maturity pattern and a good muscle to bone ratio. He will cross well with some of our younger females we want to put that trait into,” Mr Dickens said.
Mrs Dickens added: “This is our first stud sire purchase for our stud.
“We will be using an AI program across our stud heifers later this year from selected sires from across the world and will use this bull as a back up to that program,” she said.
Two volume buyers took home four bulls each.
WV James and son, Lucindale, SA, paid a top of $15,000 and averaged $14,250.
Ron Potter Farms, Hillston, topped at $8000 and averaged $5250.
Twenty bulls went for more than $10,000.
Stud principal, David Reid, felt that given the seasonal conditions, the sale result was very good.
“The younger bulls sold especially well, the older bulls were a bit tough but overall it was a good sale.
“This sale is down a little on last year but most other stud sales are suffering in the same way, a sign of the times and weather conditions.
“The top bull is an exceptional bull, I am glad to see him go to such a good home,” he said.
Stud manager, Dennis Power, was also happy.
“All of the young bulls sold particularly well. We couldn’t be more please with the young new line of Redneck Whiskey bulls, there is a lot of interest in those. The real good bulls made the best money.
“The top priced bull has a lot of presence and style, he is only a young bull but we know he will go on and make it better for the breed.”
The auction was conducted by Elders Livestock with Paul Dooley, Tamworth, the guest auctioneer.