TUMMEL Herefords made the move from their usual selling format to hosting a private open day at Lochebar, Walcha, where their 19 bulls were available for inspection and purchase through an Helmsman auction.
Overall 15 of the 19 bulls on offer were sold to a top of $6500 and $5500 average, during the July 21 sale.
Tummel principal Chris Lisle said they found the day worked well, with a number of clients finding it more appealing than the usual auction. "It gave them more time to have a look and think about what they are doing ... if they didn't get their first pick they could go find something else," Mr Lisle said.
Tummel Gerry P158 was the $6500 sale-topper and top-priced horned Hereford bull of the draft.
Purchased by return buyers Graeme and Louise Welsh of Welsh Partnership at Yeoval, the 24-month-old was a son of New Zealand sire Locharburn Gerry 11004 and from Tummel Rainbow L317, who goes back to US sire CL Domino 955W.
Running a purebred commercial Hereford operation, the Welsh's selected the upcoming sire for his stretch and depth of barrel.
"He has a good hindquarter and as a two-year-old he is showing good conformation," Mr Welsh said.
They also added another Tummel bull to their sire battery during the Glen Innes 75th annual Hereford Bull Sale last Friday, paying $4500 for Tummel Lyle P011.
Dungowan based buyer Robert Wilson bought the $6000 high-selling Poll Hereford bull, that was the second top-priced sire of the day.
Mr Wilson purchased Tummel Lashens P70 for his combination of length, colour and genetics. "Because my cows are fairly big, I needed something with a bit of leg under him," he said.
Long-term clients of over 20 years, Peter and Linda Lockyer of Walcha, bought one bull for $5500 to use over their Hereford and Angus cows, while first-buyer Neil Dunn of Clearview, Walcha, ended up the volume buyer of the sale, snapping up three bulls including one poll, and two horned, to use on his Angus base herd.
