Elite Poll Herefords top at $14,000 to stud buyer

The Helmsman style auction saw 21 bulls sold of the 32 offered with a further two sold after the sale concluded. Considerable competition was seen for the top priced bull, Elite K215 N244, who was secured by phone from James Pearce of Yavenvale Herefords of Adelong.

The homozygous poll N244 was described as having a great phenotype with balanced EBVs, starting with excellent calving ease through to top five per cent 400-day growth, top five per cent eye muscle area and top five per cent intramuscular fat. This performance generated top five per cent for all Selection Indexes.

Stud principal Kay Payne said it was most pleasing to see N244 go to a leading stud where the great carcase EBVs would be of much benefit in generating MSA success.

Semen rights of N244's sire, Elite K215, had recently been sold to New Zealand after private negotiations. K215 was targeted for his great balance of traits to go with his top calving ease through to his excellent carcase.

The second top price of $6500 was secured twice with lot one going to repeat buyer Branga Plains and lot 25 going to repeat Victorian buyers Steve and Fiona Cole, who again made the trip to Eulalia.

Guy Lord of Branga Plains was very pleased to secure lot one as he had top calving ease EBVs yet great growth and carcase, including yield, to go with his outstanding looks. Mr Lord took home two other young top performance bulls.

The Coles were looking for balanced performance with good IMF and chose lot 25 to take home to some green grass. He certainly had balance and good looks, with good calving ease, low birth weight (3.9), top EMA (6.1) and top five per cent IMF.

The bulls to Queensland went to new clients after sustained competition from two stations and will be used in a regulated crossbreeding system targeting value markets.

The sale was conducted by Neil Thomas Agency.