Ironbark Herefords' 45th annual bull sale reached a top of $34,000 as gusty winds ahead of a wet change brought relief to producers battling the toughest of seasons.
"Considering the conditions I thought this was a solid sale," said stud principal Adrian Spencer, noting that progeny went to five states and mostly to very loyal clients.
Of the 157 bulls on offer, 112 sold to an average of $6650 with repeat buyers Noel and Liz Cook, Kindon Station, Goondiwindi, Queensland, bidding for top priced sire, Ironbark Storm M194 by Talbalba Storm.
Mr Cook said the structurally correct two-year-old, still milk tooth at 905kg exhibited all the traits that would suit the Kindon herd, such as weight for age, wide hindquarter, and the highest intramuscular fat of the draft, at 7.2 per cent.
The Cooks placed second in the Beef 2018 carcase competition at Rockhampton this year, out of 492 steers, using Ironbark genetics.
Volume buyers and repeat clients Australian Food and Agriculture, with properties at Coonamble, Deniliquin and Hay, purchased 23 bulls to a top of $10,000 for Ironbark Frontline M096.
The company’s general manager Justin Campbell said Ironbark genetics proved themselves in their straight Hereford system, which included 4500 cow breeders.
“These bulls present with good back sides, good length, big barrel and we prefer the darker colour,” he said.
In spite of the drought, breeders were maintaining condition.
“It seems Herefords hang on longer in a drought," Mr Campbell said.
Long-term repeat buyers Richard and Peter Boland, Nara Pastoral Holdings, Burnie, Tasmania, bought seven bulls, averaging $8000, and reaching $10,000 for Ironbark J305 Advance M589.
Richard Boland said the Advance bull suited Nara’s 900 Hereford breeding cows and delivered ease of calving, good milking daughters and natural do-ability.
The company sell weaner calves for backgrounding and guarantees grass finishing for a portion of their steers, selling to Greenham and JBS, for which they are “farm assured”.
Data delivered back to the farm has proven the value in using Ironbark genetics.
“Our Meat Standards Australia eating quality scores have gone up significantly,” Mr Boland said. “Buyers of our steers keep asking for more.
“We like the Advance bulls by Holden grand-sires. We think these Ironbark sons are better suited. The Spencers’ herd is so strong and we like to have that influence.”
Stud principal Adrian Spencer said Ironbark’s descendancy from line one cattle had evolved to provide great milking ability, calving ease and constitution.
“Ironbark bulls have gone out and have shown they can handle the dry times,” Mr Spencer said. “That constitution has been bred into them.”
The Hicks family, Dederang, Vic, purchased 13 bulls to service some of their 600 Hereford cows, making this their 35th year coming to Barraba.
“We look for calving ease and growth,” Jack Hicks said. “We have a closed cow herd and only buy Ironbark bulls. When we come here we chase new blood, particularly the Storm, Holden and Frontline sires.”
Repeat Ironbark customers the Moffat family, Eurombah, Taroom, Qld, bought 10 bulls to help produce grass finished progeny paying to a top of $6000 for Homebuilder, Yesteryear, Advance and First Class progeny, which will go on to produce grass finished steers processed at Teys, Beenleigh, Qld.
Repeat clients the Holt family, Coonong Pty Ltd, Uranam, purchased four bulls for an average of $8000 to a top of $10,000 for Ironbark Prospector M185.
SugarLoaf Creek Herefords, Curryong, purchased Ironbark Frontline M154 for $12,000.
Swanvale Hereford Stud, Sommerton, bought Ironbark H333 Advance M157 for $10,000.
Chris Lyle, Tummel Herefords, Walcha, purchased Ironbark First Class for $9000.
Jim Smith, Townview Urbenville, purchased Ironbark Storm M332 for $8000.
Jamie and Edwina Bishop, Bando Station, Mullaley, bought three bulls averaging $6000 and paying to a top of $7000 for lot two, Ironbark J024 Advance M121.
The sale was conducted by Landmark, Elders, George and Fuhrmann, Hart Rural Agencies and Ray White with Paul Dooley, Tamworth, and Mark Barton, Landmark, taking the bids.