Minnie-Vale Charolais drew strong interest from new and repeat buyers at its 15th annual bull sale at “Bexley”, Narrabri, on Friday.
Selling 44 of the 46 bulls on offer for a 95 per cent clearance rate, the sale averaged $6100 and reached a top price of $10,000 twice.
Vaughn and Mariann Nowland, “Thirlmere”, Rangari, purchased one of the top-priced bulls, Minnie-Vale Moonshine, by Palgrove Jaguar J629E, from Minnie-Vale Meri H126E.
The 2016 spring-drop, poll bull tipped the scales at 825 kilograms and had a scrotal circumference of 38 centimetres, with estimated breeding values (EBV) of +22 for carcase weight, an eye muscle area (EMA) of +1.4, intramuscular fat (IMF) of +0.1 and eight millimetres of rib fat.
Hugh and Janniene McDonald, “Bellbowrie”, Dorrigo, took home the other top-priced bull, Minnie-Vale Magic M14E, by Moongool Gold Dust, from Minnie-Vale Festoon C22E.
The 2016 May-drop bull weighed in at 1010kg and had a scrotal circumference of 42cm, with EBVs of +20 for carcase weight, an EMA of +2.1, and rib fat of 8mm.
The second-top price of $9000 was reached four times.
Bauhinia Park Charolais, Emerald, Qld, took home Minnie-Vale Magistrate, while the Andrews family from “Carmyle”, Tottenham, purchased Minnie-Vale Major.
Minnie-Vale Mascot was purchased by Scharwyn Charolais from Loxton in South Australia, and Minnie-Vale Max will stay in the local area with Anthony Ferris, “Abergeldie”, Barraba.
David Dent, “Dent Timbers”, Copmanhurst via Grafton, was the top volume buyer for the sale, taking home four bulls to top $7000 and average $6000.
Mr Dent was a new client of Minnie-Vale and said a change of direction in his breeding program prompted him to buy up big.
“I’m going to change over my herd from Angus bulls to these fellas because I think they’ll do a better job,” he said.
“They’re good, soft bulls,with that red factor in three of them, which I like, and I think they’ll go great.”
Putting the bulls over Brahman cows, Mr Dent said he was chasing better weight gains from his weaners.
While his property is only half stocked at present, Mr Dent said once it rained he would build his herd back up to 400 breeders and run the four bulls with them.
Minnie-Vale stud principal, Jason Salier, said he was thrilled with a great result in such a tough season.
“We’ve been in it a long time and the repeat clientele is huge, and that’s what’s got us through in probably our worst year,” he said.
“We’ve had great support from a pocket in Grafton, and our bulls have gone over there for a couple of years now and been topping the weaner sales.
“It was a bit quieter from the guys out west just because it is so bad out there.”
Mr Salier said the evenness in the draft from front to back was what made the high clearance rate possible.
Auctioneer Luke Scicluna said it was pleasing to get a great clearance considering the way the season was going.
“Normally the Minnie-Vale buyers come from the Liverpool Plains and through to the Walcha areas, and both of those areas are very drought-stricken and we had hardly any bulls go back there, but to have the confidence of the Grafton people and some Queenslanders, it was great,” he said.
Selling agents were Davidson Cameron and Company with Luke Scicluna the auctioneer.
