Elite Poll Hereford sale hits $11,500

In total 21 of the 32 bulls offered sold during the Helmsman style auction for a 65 per cent clearance. 

It was the first bull of the sale, Elite H284 M202, who reached the peak of the bidding when he was eventually knocked down to Kimberley Grange Pastoral Company at Tamworth. 

The two-year-old son of Elite Y781 H284 was selected for his impressive estimated breeding values (EBVs), in particular his +8.2 figure for calving ease.

He was in the top five per cent for 400-day with a figure of +70 and +5.5 for eye muscle area while being in the top 1pc for $Indexes for profit. 

The Homozygous poll sire will be used naturally in Kimberley Grange’s commercial Hereford herd where they run about 250 breeders and turn off two-year-old bullocks, season permitting. 

Overseer and bidder Shawn Sleeman said it was hard to come by a bull that had impressive calving ease figures and was suitable for both heifers or cows.

“His EBVs were big factors,” he said. 

The second top price of $8500 was reached for late sale addition, Elite Trust 4300 N124 who was secured through phone bidding for stud duties with the Locke family, Wirruna Poll Herefords, Holbrook.  

Elite stud principal Kay Payne had initially intended to retain the bull but decided to offer him after some late withdrawals. 

At least three South Australian bidders were active through phone bids during the sale along with one Queenslander and a Victorian, while another Victorian visitor attended on the day.