As Queensland's goat industry goes from strength to strength, producers are now focused on boosting the genetics of their herds.
The strong demand for genetics was clear when 113 performance recorded red and standard boer goats sold to average $1375 at the Western Spring Sale at the Cunnamulla Racecourse earlier in the month.
In all, three vendors participated in the sale and included Jake Berghofer and Emma Patterson, Springvale, Eulo, Qld, who sold 44 bucks to average $1739. Jim Gillon, Macanda Stud, Kingaroy, Qld, sold 19 for $1132 while Ben and Andrea McKenzie, Yaralla, Cunnamulla, Qld, sold 28 bucks for $1421.
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The sale topped at $3600 for a standard buck offered by Jake Berghofer and Emma Patterson and sold to Pieter Jaarsveld, Sunset Boer Goats, Inglewood, Qld, who also runs a commercial goat breeding operation in the Traprock district.
"We will use him in our standard and Boer goat cross breeding operation where we breed goats for commercial breeders," Mr Jaarsveld said.
"We find these crossbred goats achieve a better meat quality and weight gain in a shorter time frame for goat breeders."
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The top buck was sired by Springvale N510 who was retained by Jake Berghofer and Emma Patterson, as the lead buck of their 2017 drop.
The $3400 top Red buck was also offered by Mr Berghofer and Ms Patterson and sold to Dan and Louise Hoch of Quilpie, Qld.
He was a Kalahari buck with Isis Reds genetics on both sides of his pedigree.
Volume buyers were Turmbull Brothers, Tambo, Qld, who bought 14 bucks to average $1471, and David and Carmel Meurant, Eulo, Qld, finished with 10 to average $1230.
Selling agent Anthony Hyland, GDL, St George, Qld, said by investing in goats it can give you an all years production, and they clean up your country, and presently they are a strong commodity.
Nutrien's Gus Footte, Charleville, Qld, said confidence is high with local processors Western Exporters offering 9.70c/kg.
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Helen Walker
Helen is the Toowoomba-based journalist who loves nothing better than covering anything horse sport related, however she covers all commodities and personality yarns. Over the years she has lived in Brisbane, Rockhampton, Longreach and Roma filing stories for the 'bible of the bush'. Contact 0459 827414.
Helen is the Toowoomba-based journalist who loves nothing better than covering anything horse sport related, however she covers all commodities and personality yarns. Over the years she has lived in Brisbane, Rockhampton, Longreach and Roma filing stories for the 'bible of the bush'. Contact 0459 827414.
