High hopes for 75th Glen Innes Whiteface sale

Sixteen producers will, offer 62 bulls, some with a single entry and others with larger lines.

A compact, if compelling catalogue includes 26 horned, 18 polled and nine homozygous polled articles. The youngest of the offerings is only 20 months and the oldest is 26 months.

Sales committee chairman Angus Vivers said a lift in general prices on the back of improved climate conditions and a hungry market has given rise to hope the good times will continue for the long running multi-vendor sale.

But he also admitted the combined blows of a prolonged drought and the COVID-19 pandemic had adverse impacts.

"Organising the sale has been very difficult. We would normally have 120-130 bulls but last year was a very tough sale and this is the least amount of bulls we've had in the 10 years I have been chairman," Mr Vivers said.

"The drought last year knocked everyone around and there's talk the number of females is down a lot because there was some culling.

"But we are hoping it will be a good sale and everyone is thinking positive. There is good money being paid for heavy bulls so I think some people will be cashing in older bulls and looking for new genes."

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While the traditional sale eve dinner had fallen victim to the pandemic, Mr Vivers said there was some likelihood of a smaller event happening at the saleyards on the day.

Another contingency he is working on is identifying a stand-by judge for the pre-sale show.

"The show is an integral part and everyone looks forward to it," Mr Vivers said.

"We will be choosing a grand champion but there are other awards to win and to get the pen of three is very prestigious.

"Erin Walters (Andtravern Herefords Stud) has kindly agreed to be our judge but she's in Victoria and with the NSW border closing we're forced to go to Plan B.

"That means I'll be on the phone trying to contact others who might be ready to step in. If that happens I will be pushing for Erin to be our judge in 2021 because we are honoured she agreed to come here to judge for us."

THE 2020 version of the annual Glen Innes Whiteface sale will be a "different beast", according to Angus Vivers.

"As expected we will comply with all the necessary requirements to deal with the COVID-19 virus. There will be hand sanitisers right around the place as one of the measures," Mr Vivers said.

"We might be lucky to get 150 people at the sale yards but there is plenty of space so social distancing won't be a bother but we won't be taking any chances.

"I also think it would be likely that this will be a popular event and because it's the 75th sale I won't be at all surprised if we get a few visitors."

Buyers will be able to bid on the ground and online with bulls filmed and streamed as they enter the selling ring, Mr Vivers said.

Vendors (listed alphabetically with the number of bulls being offered): Bahreenah Poll Herefords, Tinga, 2; Braelyn Herefords, Braelyn, 1; Courallie Herefords, Narrabri, 9; Dundee Echo Park Herefords, Dundee, 4; Emu Holes, Quirindi, 3; Jindalee, King's Plains, 2; Kylandee Herefords Elsmore, 5; Lee Herefords, Ootha, 1; Ownaview Herefords, Yanban, 3; Reevesdale Poll Herefords, Gum Flat, 2; Supple Whiteface, Llangothlin, 11; Swanvale Herefords, Winton, 5; Tahlan Poll Herefords, Bonshaw, 3; Tummel, Walcha, 7; Welray, Nabiac, 1 and Wendouree Poll Herefords, Wendouree, 3.

Visit www.herefordsaustralia.com.au for more details.