Wakefield Charolais at Wollomombi topped their annual bull sale with a $10,000 bid and cleared the lot, 100 per cent, returning a $5620 average.
Stud principals Greg and Jenny Frizell were well pleased with the result given the worst season in living memory, with this part of the northern New England twinned with Armidale and Walcha when it comes to drought, rather than Ebor, much less Dorrigo.
However, Wakefield has plenty to celebrate these days, not the least their four year old cow Amaze 38 and her calf by Canadian sire Elder Blackjack who swept the board at the Brisbane Royal Show, taking out champion of champions, interbreed female and, most importantly for a commercial cattlemen's breeder, the coveted people's choice award.
Indeed, muscle continues to return dividends, with DPI research suggesting a price difference in the order of 15-21c/kg between muscle scores and Charolais delivers that.
At Friday's sale it was coastal producers who maintained pressure at the bidding, with progeny sold from Bangalow on the Wilsons to Bellbrook on the Macleay
Last year's top priced buyer Tony Clark, Brushgrove, sought out the same Wakefield Fiesa cow family and paid $10,000 for the 22 month-old polled sire Wakefield News Flash, by Wakefield Jack Flash, presenting at 848 kilograms with 19mm rump and 10mm rib fat and 127 square centimetre eye muscle area.
Repeat client Temana stud at Baradine, with family connections to Tookawhile Charolais near Kyogle, bid to $7500 for the 802kg Wakefield Noteworthy, by Monument Valley John, which presented with top 10 per cent of the breed figures for 400 day growth (+36) and top 20pc for 200 and 600 day growth (+17 and +43), along with 122sq cm EMA.
The McIlwain family, Taylors Arm, paid $7000 through Elders Dorrigo for the embryo-transfer produced red factor Wakefield No Way Jose by CML Encore from a Wakefield Abracadabra - a cow line that has excelled in the show ring.
The Jarrett and Campbell families, from Bangalow and Eltham, came away with three bulls including Wakefield Northern Lights by home sire Jack Flash for $6500. The co-operating couples will use these bulls over high Brahman content females with progeny sold through the Casino saleyards.
Harold Chevally, Ulmarra, paid $6500 for Wakefield Navigator by home-bred sire Lorax, with top 20pc for calving ease direct, EMA and Intra Muscular Fat and top 15pc or gestation length. Mr Chevally will use this bull over cross-bred cows with progeny grass finished on-farm for the export market.
Repeat client Adam Chapman, Fineflower, who has won champion European cross weaners with his Wakefield calves, purchased two bulls including Wakefield Neptune by PCC Spartan, 724kg, offering smooth muscle and natural finishing. Mr Chapman will use him over first cross Brahman/ Hereford females with the progeny sold through the Grafton saleyards.
Repeat clients the Mitchell Family, Nulla Nulla Creek on the Upper Macleay, bought Wakefield Nova by Canadian sire HRJ Bulletprooof, presenting with an ability to pass on good growth and muscle.
Michelle Donaldson, with country at Nymboida, bought Wakefield Newboy from Paringa Harvey, from the classy Wakefield dam Ascot 25, presenting with top 5pc for 400 day growth (+40) and IMF (+1.2) along with top 10pc for 200 and 600 day growth (+19 and +51).
The Wakefield Angus bulls sold for $4000 each with seven of 15 capturing a bid. David Lyon, manager of Toose Pastoral at Bellbrook, bought Wakefield Regent by New Zealand sire Tuwharetoa Regent with top 10pc for carcase weight (+76) and top 20pc for IMF (+2.5) and 600 day growth (+119). Mr Lyon chose him as his pick of the bulls and will put this Angus over Brangus/ Angus females.
The Wakefield sale was conducted by Ray Donovan Agencies Grafton with Armitage and Buckley, Armidale. Auctioneers Mitch Donovan and Luke Heagney took the bids.
