Waratah Speckle Park achieves $15,000 top and $9441 average at 2021 bull sale

A large COVID-safe crowd gathered at the Turnham's Guyra property, Waratah, while buyers from as far away as Victoria and Queensland tuned into the sale online via Elite Livestock Auctions.

In total, 34 of the 37 bulls on offer were snapped up during the live auction at an average of $9441, while the remaining three were sold after the sale's conclusion.

Those following the sale did not have to wait long for auctioneer Blake O'Reilly, Guyra, to knock down the top selling bull, as lot four Waratah Q183 topped the sale at $15,000 after being purchased online by a producer via New Farm, Queensland.

The 21-month-old speckled coloured son of Upto Ulysses 25U and out of Waratah F15 Spanish Angel J194, weighed 746 kilograms, was rated in the top 10 per cent of the breed for scrotal size, 200-day, 400-day, 600-day and mature cow weight.

Read Also:

Waratah Speckle Park stud principal Laiton Turnham said he thought the bull's "weight for age" helped him stand out in a consistent draft of bulls.

"He was one of the younger bulls in the catalogue, but he was the heaviest bull here today [Monday]," Mr Turnham told The Land.

"I think that was what really set him apart and his mother has had some very good calves over the years and he was no exception.

"I know there was quite a few people who really liked that bull and I'd say his weight for age, thickness and pedigree going back on his dam side has really helped set him apart."

The top seller was one of three bulls purchased by the New Farm buyer at an average of $14,000.

Other volume buyers included Comet Downs Cattle Company, Comet Downs, Queensland, six bulls at an average of $9333, an Augathella, Queensland, producer purchased three bulls at an average of $7666 and Anthony Waugh, Bundurra, two bulls at an average of $6000.

"It is really gratifying for our family to see bulls go across NSW and interstate as well," Mr Turnham said.

"We've been really pushing that message of bulls being able to go interstate because there has been a bit of hesitancy because of COVID-19 and getting bulls to the right places.

"So it was really pleasing from our perspective to see so many bulls go interstate and it is really pleasing to see so many people after Speckle Park bulls."

The Turnham family also offered 150 semen straws during the sale, broken up in 15 lots of 10.

All 150 straws were snapped up by online buyers during the sale at an average of $73.

"I hope those people who purchased the straws do really well out of them because sometimes people only have a handful of cows and that is a really good way to get into it," Mr Turnham said.

"We're very happy with how it's panned out, we had some good prices, which were very consistent throughout the sale, so we are very happy.

"It is a real family affair for us, which is always a lot of fun and we are really pleased we can offer a product that people want, can use and we wish them all the best."

Monday's live auction sale was conducted by Ray White Rural Armidale and Guyra with Blake O'Reilly auctioneering.

Love agricultural news? Sign up for The Land's free daily newsletter.