Derra Charolais stud, based at Armidale, was established in 2005 by Adrian and Bruce Dick. The stud will have five bulls in the sale, four of them by Derra Kowalski, who was sold to the Laurie family at Walcha a few years ago, through the Golden Guitar sale.
“We used him as a yearling, as a heifer bull, then thought we'd join him to the cows because he’s a well put together bull, with tremendous length and good structure,” Adrian Dick said.
“Kowalski has sired some very good calves over a variety of cows, and we’re very happy with them.”
The only bull not by Kowalski is a 25-month-old son of Palgrove Ember, out of Mountain Valley Gaiety G10E, purchased when the Coolatai stud dispersed the last of its females a few years ago.
”He’s our first bull calf out of one of those cows and we're very happy with him, that’s been a good investment for us,” Mr Dick said.
His favourite bull in the sale is red factor bull Derra Mal Meninga, a 23-month-old from Palgrove Jelena 39, while Bruce prefers 24-month-old Derra Marlon, from Derra Estella 2.
”They’re all handy bulls,” Mr Dick said.
“We’re trying to breed bulls that are easier calving and have a moderate frame but with good ability to grow, put on muscle and get good fat cover on grass.
“Our sale bulls have been on a light grain ration due to the drought, but they’re not fat, so they'll still be ready for joining this year.”
