Testament tops the Sprys 60 years of breeding sale

Held on property at "Ardlui", Wagga Wagga, the sale was opened by Spencer Morgan, The Grove Shorthorns, Condamine, Qld, who reflected on the Spry family's contribution to the Shorthorn breed internationally and throughout Australia.

"Gerald and his team have always been leaders in the drive to keep the Shorthorns relevant in today's beef industry," he said.

While the family's contribution to Shorthorns was perhaps best recognised, their commitment to Angus had continued to broaden their footprint in the seedstock sector in recent years, also evident in the sale's $40,000 top-priced bull.

This was for an Angus, Sprys Testament U614, which sold to Wendy, Mark and Emily Perkins, WE Livestock Pty Ltd, Pullenvale, Qld.

Testament U614 was the second youngest bull in the catalogue at 13 months, yet weighed 632 kilograms with a 40 centimetre scrotal circumference.

The Tehama Testament son had a milk figure in the top one per cent of the breed and also ranked in the top 4pc for carcase weight at +92, top 6pc for gestation length at -8.3 and a 200-day weight figure of +63.

Emily Perkins said he was a good fit for her family's operation, where he would be used to breed Angus/Shorthorn calves.

"We think he's a good carcase bull. We believe that's where the Australian industry is going," she said.

"We think by crossing an animal we get between 14 and 16 per cent extra production."

Ms Perkins said the first-cross male progeny from their 300 breeding cows were raised for export, while the daughters were retained for breeding.

The family plans to collect Testament U617 so they can use him extensively throughout their herd.

Close behind at $38,000 as the second top-priced bull, also the top-priced Shorthorn, Sprys Thermal Energy T80, which sold to Manuka Farming, Greenways, SA.

The 21-month-old Muridale Thermal Energy 15A son weighed 792kg and ranked in the top 2pc for carcase weight with a figure of +21.7, top 10pc for weaning weight, and top 15pc for yearling weight, rib eye area, fat and marbling.

Tom Gould, Manuka Farming, said the bull would be used as an artificial insemination sire throughout the family operation.

"We needed a good growth, moderate birth weight bull," he said.

The family runs a 500-cow, self-replacing herd, also with 60 years of breeding behind it.

Second top-priced Shorthorn bull, Sprys Down Under T72, sold to Outback Shorthorns, Culcairn, and Buckingbong Station, Narranderra, for $36,000.

Also by Muridale Thermal Energy 15A, the red 758kg homozygous polled bull had a 40cm scrotal circumference, was in the top 10pc for maternal weaning weight, docility and fat depth and had calving ease, milk, and maternal calving ease figures in the top 15pc, along with an all purpose index of 121.29.

Buckingbong Station was also the volume buyer, purchasing another six bulls to average $8714.

One of the station's managers, Tom Hand, said the line of bulls suited their change in breeding direction, as they were adding growth and muscling and also liked the longevity of Shorthorn bulls.

The operation runs 4000 Angus breeders on 9300 hectares across three properties at Adjunbilly, Narranderra and Oberon. The weaner steers go into their feedlot for finishing, while the heifers were retained for breeding.

A package of four embryos from Sprys Miss Heritage P140 with sire Sprys Down Under S77 was purchased by the Perkins family, WE Livestock, for $600 an embryo.

Outback Shorthorns, Culcairn, also offered four embryos, from Outback Ann R22 with sire Sprys Goldenrod P39. These were bought by Moricom Orchids, Leeton, for $1400 each.

Proceeds from the embryos were donated to Shorthorn Beef to promote Shorthorns in crossbreeding.

Sprys principal Gerald Spry said he appreciated all those who attended to buy or to look.

"We really do appreciate you coming along to our day," he said.

Overall, 42 of 45 Shorthorn bulls sold to average $13,667, while 19 of 34 Angus bulls sold to average $9900. All three Angus/Shorthorn bulls sold to $7000 to average $6666, and both embryo packages were sold.

Three Shorthorn bulls and six Angus bulls sold post auction.

The sale was conducted by H Francis and Co Stock and Station Agents, Wagga, and Elders, with Paul Dooley, Tamworth, as guest auctioneer and the online auction interface from AuctionsPlus.