Weebollabolla Shorthorn stud at Moree reached a top of $10,000 to average $4800 with 40 from 59 bulls sold on Friday.
Repeat client Sam Jerrard, Taroom, Qld, came away with three bulls including top-priced Weebollabolla NBN N498, by Yamburgan Ossie G10, presenting on sale day with a live weight of 826 kilograms with 5.6 per cent intramuscular fat and 41 centimetre scrotal circumference. He also displayed top 5 per cent Estimated Breeding Values for eye muscle area (+6cm) and rump fat (+1.8mm).
Mr Jerrard will put his Shorthorn bulls over Droughtmaster and Brahman cows and says he now prefers Shorthorn sires for softness.
Shorthorn stud breeder Godfrey Morgan, The Grove, Condamine, Qld, bought two bulls to put over heifers including the second top-priced bull Weebollabolla North Star N86, a roan poll, by the popular Weebollabolla Lignum L14, for $8000, which presented at 806kg, with 40cm scotal and the equal highest IMF of the draft at 6.8pc.
Marbling is a focus for future Weebollabolla sires and stud principal Jen Jeffreys hinted that next year's crop would be some of the stud's finest.
First time clients Keiran Delforce and Rebecca McKeering, Augathella, Qld bought three bulls to soften their herd of Santa Gertrudis and Santa cross cows, paying $7000 for Weebollabolla Norman N63, also by Lignum, presenting at 824kg, 43cm scrotal, 124sq cm EMA and 6.4pc IMF.
"Rebecca's mother Kate put Shorthorn over Brahman on her Barcaldine property with good results so we thought we'd try the cross with our Santas," said Mr Delforce.
The Francis family at Forbes bought two bulls including Weebollabolla Nicol N340 by Marellan Nuclear F215 for $7000, presenting at 856kg with 128sq cm EMA and 5.5pc IMF.
Volume buyers were repeat clients Frank and Donna Wagner, Winnaleah, near St Helens, Tas with agent John Shaw, Moree, doing the bidding paying to $6000 for Weebollabolla Niles N211 by The Grove K0245, 804kg, 122sq cm EMA and 6.3pc IMF.
Repeat buyers from Condobolin, David and Tom Stuckey purchased three bulls including Weebollabolla Norton by The Grove K0182 for $5000. The family breeds straight Shorthorn and sells steers and heifers into the premium JBS Shorthorn brand Thousand Guineas.
For Shorthorn stud breeder Sam Martin, Southcote, Walcha, Friday's sale was an opportunity to build on his herd whose foundation female genetics were from Weebollabolla. The purchase of the poll Nymboida N120 by Lignum, 850kg with 6.2pc IMF, attracted a winning bid of $5000.
Andrew Hill, Nundle, purchased Weebollabolla Norland N106 by Lignum, for $6000 with the 862kg bull displaying top 20 per cent EBV figures for 400 day weight (+47), milk (+8), rib (+0.2) and IMF (0.6pc).
Repeat clients Jack and Tony Hyles, Pallamallawa, bought a bull each, including Weebollabolla Narrator N102 by the the stud's own Jackpot J87 with top 5pc for the breed in 600 day weight (+79). The father and son sell progeny back to Weebollabolla to go into its premium beef brand.
Ray Kennedy, Coonamble, bought Weebollabolla Norquary N60 by Weebolla bolla Hercules H20 for $4000 and said this drought reinforced his belief in the breed, with Shorthorn lasting the longest.
Two bulls went to the Quinn family at Murwillumbah to be crossed with Charolais
Jeogla Pastoral at the top of the Macleay purchased two bulls including Weebollabolla Nundle N45 by Jackpot for $4000. The 886kg bull showed top 10pc for 400 day weight (+70kg).
The sale was held by Elders with Bob Jamieson Agencies and auctioneer Paul Dooley. Auctions Plus contributed to the sale of six sires.
