Most influential NSW non-Angus studs in 2024 season revealed: The Last Lot
Despite challenging conditions, the 2024 NSW stud sale season has delivered some impressive results, highlighted by exceptional performances from standout operations.
This year The Land covered more than 200 stud bull sales across NSW, with Angus accounting for more than half.
Therefore, to showcase the outstanding achievements beyond Australia's most popular breed, The Land has taken a closer look at the non-Angus studs with the largest industry impact.
Although some studs experienced a slight dip in overall prices due to challenging conditions, the high end of the market remained robust, with several operations achieving record-breaking results.
Reflecting trends seen in Angus sales, buyers of non-Angus breeds also prioritised quality and were willing to pay premium prices for it.
The Land has ranked Non-Angus studs with NSW auctions or online sales based on the number of bulls sold under the hammer to highlight which programs are contributing most to the industry, simply by volume.
This ranking isn't intended to represent the entire seed-stock industry, but rather offers an additional perspective on bull sales at auction in NSW, focused solely on the quantity of bulls sold.
The Top 10
1. Trent Bridge Wagyu, Armidale
Not a single spare seat could be found at the second annual Trent Bridge Wagyu spring sale as buyers flocked from across the country.
Overall, the Perry family grossed $3.4 million in earnings with an impressive 169 bulls sold to a top price of $55,000 to average a very healthy $20,461.
More notably, the first 20 lots alone averaged $24,000.
Queensland buyers were out in force, with this year's catalogue expanded from last year's 150 bulls, which also achieved a full clearance and an average of $20,653.
The sale topper, Trent Bridge U120, a son of Door Key Q0102, was secured by Stone Axe Pastoral Company, which operates properties in Ebor, NSW, and Kojonup, WA.
Charlie Perry, Trent Bridge, said the sale far exceeded the family's expectations.
He said the result was similar to last year's sale, which he had thought would never be repeated.
2. Hicks Beef, Holbrook
Closely followed, Hicks Beef, Holbrook, cleared all 147 bulls across two on-property sales, to $36,000 to average $10,938.
At the stud's autumn sale, all 59 bulls sold to an equal top-price of $26,000 to average $11,000.
In the breakdown, 34 black Composite bulls sold to $26,000, twice, to average $10,352, while 13 red Composite bulls made $17,000 to average $10,615. A final 12 Red Angus bulls sold to $23,000 to average $13,250.
Jen and Gus McCormack, Dilga, Glenmorgan, Qld, secured both $26,000 bulls, ABC T904, son of Hook's Beacon 56B, and ABC T997.
At their spring sale, Hicks also cleared all 88 bulls to a $36,000 top to average $10,897.
Of that, 50 black Composite bulls sold to $21,000 to average $11,120 while 25 red Composite bulls made $34,000 to average $10,999 and 13 Red Angus bulls sold to $17,000 to average $9846.
The top-priced bull, red Composite, ABC T640, son of Hicks Ringer son, was also purchased by Jen and Gus McCormack, Dilga, Glenmorgan, Qld.
3. Yavenvale Poll Herefords, Adelong
Claiming the bronze medal, Yavenvale Poll Herefords, sold 140 bulls across two sales to a top of $96,000 to average $8675.
In the breakdown, 112 of 135 bulls offered at their annual autumn on-property sale hit $96,000 to average $9367.
The sale topper, Yavenvale Trump Card T350, by Limehills Streaker 150368, sold to Jacqui Baulch and her children Thomas and Indianna, Jaclinton Poll Herefords, Illowa, Victoria.
"Mum and Dad offered and sold 44 bulls at their first sale, and we are proud to be able to offer this number," said Yavenvale stud co-principal James Pearce.
The stud's second online spring sale saw 28 of 37 bulls sold to a top of $11,500 to average $5910.
Yavenvale Terrific T922, son of Kanimbla Power Quest Q006 was knocked down to an online buyer through AuctionsPlus for $11,500.
4. Ironbark Herefords, Barraba
In the north, Ironbark Herefords, had a cracking sale with 100 of 129 catalogued bulls cleared to a top of $70,000, setting a new on-property record, to average $10,230.
The sale topper, Ironbark P071 True Grit T035, by Ironbark True Grit P071, was knocked down to Noel and Liz Cook, Kindon Station, Goondiwindi, Qld, early in the sale. Overall the Cook's bought five bulls to average $23,100.
There was also a number of active volume buyers forming hefty drafts. Australian Food and Agriculture secured 12 bulls for Wingadee, Coonamble, to a top of $12,000 three times, to average $9166.
Richard Boland, Nara Pastoral Holdings, Burnie, bought nine bulls to a top of $22,000, to average $14,666.
5. Futurity Pastoral, Baradine
Breaking into the top five, Futurity Pastoral, Baradine, sold 90 of 92 bulls to $32,500 to average $10,172 at their on-property sale.
Overall, 55 of 56 Shorthorn bulls reached $30,000 to average $10,636, while 35 of 36 Charolais bulls hit $32,500 to average $10,358.
The overall sale topper, Charolais bull, Futurity Ultimate U232E, son of Palgrove Quintessential Q1544, was knocked down to Ross Sticklen, Lilydale Charolais, Lockyer Valley, Qld.
Long term clients, Will and Tim Bowman, Gundy, Tooraweenah, secured the top-priced Shorthorn bull, Sprys Thermal Energy Q71 son, Futurity Tennessee T615.
6. Wirruna Poll Herefords, Holbrook
Across two on-property sales, Wirruna Poll Herefords, also cleared 90 of 131 bulls offered to a top of $42,000 to average $10,121.
The stud's autumn sale reached $42,000, with 52 of 66 bulls sold to average $11,711. The top-priced bull, Wirruna Shea S222, by New Zealand-bred Limehills Starter 160062, sold to Bendoc Park Poll Herefords, Delegate.
At the spring sale, 38 of 65 bulls sold to $15,000 to average $7947. Kay Payne, Elite Poll Herefords, Gundy secured the sale topping Tarcombe McLaren Q203 son, Wirruna Top Stuff T150.
7. Injemira Beef Genetics, Book Book
With a solid top-price of $75,000, Injemira Beef Genetics, cleared 85 of 91 bulls to average $11,929 at their annual autumn sale.
The top price bull, Injemira Patriarch T340 by Bowen Patriarch was bought by sisters Grace and Emily Elsom, Emigrace Poll Herefords, Macarthur, Victoria.
That price equalled the amount paid by the sisters last year for another son of Bowen Patriarch.
Injemira Patriarch T344 and Injemira Heidelberg T343 were also purchased by Ardno Livestock Trust, OB Flat, South Australia, and Willinga Pastoral Co, Wandoan, Qld, for $40,000 each respectively.
8. Yulgilbar Santa Gertrudis, Baryulgil
Queensland studs were the bidders to beat at Yulgilbar's Santa Gertrudis spring sale which saw 71 bulls sold to a top of $34,000 to average $10,535.
Of that, 40 stud registered bulls reached $34,000 to average $12,250 while 27 commercial bulls averaged $8518. Four Sangus bulls also made $7000 each.
Scott and Rebecca Dunlop, Dunlop Cattle Co, Jingeri, Proston, Qld, secured the sale topper, homozygous poll Yulgilbar Titanic T156.
His sire, Cardona Patterson P53 son, has had a big influence on the Yulgilbar herd.
9.Merawah Poll Hereford, Boggabilla
Hitting a top-price of $24,000 five times, Merawah Poll Hereford, cleared all 54 bulls to average $14,370 at their spring sale.
Vendors Andrew and Carolyn Mackay offered 46 Merawah prefix bulls to average $14,664, while their long term managers Kelly and Teeny Runzer offered nine Tenaru prefix bulls to average $13,012.
Buyers of the top-priced $24,000 bulls included; M and R Dawson, Moura, secured Merawah Big Deal T032; an undisclosed buyer through Nutrien Coonamble purchased Merawah Enduro T106; the Standiforth family, Bogong Pastoral Company, Condobolin bought Merawah Phantom T102; while Merawah Lay Off T128 and Merawah Showtime T015 were knocked down to Mt Riddock Station, Alice Springs, NT.
10. Palgrove, Ben Lomond/Inverell
Clearing 100pc of their offering, Palgrove sold all 53 Charolais and Ultrablack bulls to $28,000 to average $12,754 at their Hunter Valley sale.
In the breakdown, 39 Charolais bulls sold to $20,000 five times, to average $13,154, while 13 Ultrablack bulls reached $28,000 to average $12,077.
The sale topper, Palgrove Tutor, son of Milwillah Jaal, was purchased by Richard, Tracey, and Jess Hulme, Holbrook.
Repeat buyers, Simon and Mym Daley, Injune, Ben Avery, Blackall, Qld, Ellerston Pty Ltd, Scone, and the Inder Family, Rockwell Charolais, Merriwa, secured the top five highest-priced Charolais.
More high performers
With a tight margin separating some operations in the top 10, there were plenty of other studs that achieved some promising results worth mentioning.
Bellview Brangus, Myall Creek, cleared 51 of 61 bulls offered at its on-property sale, with a top price of $31,000 to average $9686. Top-priced bull, Bellview Trifecta T145, by Bonox 806, was purchased by Dan and Jay Lowe, Sunday Camp Brangus, Nulla Nulla Creek Road, Bellbrook.
Weebollabolla Shorthorns, Moree, cracked six figures, setting a new stud record, at its spring sale, clearing 48 of 53 head to a top of $105,000 to average $11,416. The sale topper, Weebollabolla Tinkler T109, son of influential Weebollabolla Quanto Q9, sold to The Grove Shorthorns, Condamine, Qld. It marked the first sale since director Sandy Munro's passing.
Cascade Studs, Currabubula, also hit six figures, more than doubling their on-property record at its spring sale. In the Poll Hereford portion of the sale, they cleared all 31 bulls to $110,000 to average $11,257. Cascade Tosca T042, son of Injemira Fortune M152 Q034, fetched the top-price and was knocked down to Glendan Park, Kyneton, Victoria and another whiteface stud from eastern Victoria.
Yamburgan Shorthorns, Narrabri, sold all 42 bulls at its spring sale, to a high of $28,000 to average $11,595. Malcolm and Mary Smith, Laguna, Forbes, secured the top-priced bull, Yamburgan Octavius T169, son of Yamburgan Emperor J396.
JAD Speckle Park, Yeoval, cleared all 36 bulls to a $27,000 top to average $9843 at its spring sale. The top-priced bull, JAD Tax Man T274, son of Maungahina Promise, was purchased by Benbullen Speckle Park, Boisdale, Vic.
Catch up on previous episodes:
- Most influential NSW Angus studs in 2024 season revealed: The Land's Last Lot
- Sales belie wool market, buyers travel for best rams: The Land's Last Lot
- Dry out west but buyers prepared to pay for quality: The Land's Last Lot
- Top end stays strong, data proving a selling point: The Land's Last Lot
- Ram sales start well and yet more stud records: The Land's Last Lot
- Four different sales smash stud records: The Land's Last Lot episode two
- Catch up on studstock sale trends and results with The Land's Last Lot
