Bulls to four states at Yavenvale as buyers chase marbling, growth traits

Stud and commercial beef producers from four states were able to select performance genetics from one of the single biggest offerings of Hereford bulls across the nation this year at the Yavenvale Poll Herefords autumn bull sale.

Hosted on property at Adelong by the Pearce family, the 26th annual sale on February 19 drew existing and new buyers from NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania.

From the 131 bulls offered, 94 were sold for a 72 per cent clearance, a top price of $32,000 and average of $8702. There were seven bulls sold after the sale.

The sale featured the first sons to sell in Australia of Matariki Nautical (NZ), Limehills Stellar (NZ) and Morganvale Rookie.

The top-priced bull, Yavenvale Under The Radar U556, sold over the phone to new clients Ben and Leanne Rumbel, Supple Whiteface, Llangothlin.

By the New Zealand sire Matariki Nautical and out of Yavenvale Cora Q665, the August-2023 drop ranked in the top 1pc for eye muscle area (EMA) at +8.9 and intramuscular fat (IMF) at +2.7, top 3pc for rump fat at +3.6, top 9pc for scrotal size at +3.5 and top 15pc for milk at +23.

Mr Rumbel inspected the bull at the recent Beef Week open day and was impressed with his outcross pedigree, balance and structure.

"He has a good dataset and will be joined to selected stud cows," he said.

The second top price of $24,000 was reached twice by Yavenvale Unbelieveable U480 (PP) and Yavenvale Upbeat U466 (PP).

Eddie Sellers and daughter Lucy Sellers, Bendoc Park Poll Herefords, Bendoc, Vic, bought Yavenvale Unbelievable, an August-2023 drop son of Matariki Nautical and out of Yavenvale Loyal Q014. He ranked in the top 2pc for scrotal size, top 3pc for 400- and 600-day weight, and top 7pc for 200-day weight.

The family was seeking a new stud sire and was impressed with the bull's depth of body, figures and carcase.

Yavenvale Upbeat is an August 2023 drop son of Morganvale Rookie R306 and out of Yavenvale Doreen S739, and ranked top 1pc for IMF at +3.1 per cent, top 3pc for scrotal and top 7pc for 400- and 600-day weight. The bull was bought online with AuctionsPlus by Sam McDouall, Pipersleigh, Upper Horton.

The McDouall family was chasing high marbling genetics and also purchased for $15,000 Yavenvale Unforgettable U363 (PP) who ranked top 1pc for IMF.

Return buyer Tim Hayes, Tarcombe Herefords, Ruffy, Vic, outlaid $22,000 for Yavenvale Umzingeli U806 (AI) (PP), another Matariki Nautical son and out of Yavenvale Fancy R397. The bull ranked top 5pc for scrotal, top 7pc for rump fat, and top 9pc for EMA.

Mr Hayes liked the young sire's type, structure and outcross genetics.

"His gestation length, calving ease, EMA, positive fat, marbling and fertility will give our herd a lift," he said.

"The cattle here are performance bred, they are good types and have outcross genetics - the sale was good considering the seasonal and market conditions."

Eight sons of Matariki Nautical averaged $14,500.

Repeat buyers and commercial producers, the Weston family, Tewallewah Pastoral, Harden, paid $20,000 for Yavenvale Unlimited Potential U274 (PP), while Yavenvale Ultimate U355 (PP) also made $20,000 on AuctionsPlus to Jeff and Robyn Holcombe, Rayleigh Poll Herefords, Narrabri.

Philip Davie, Guilford Poll Herefords, Ouse, Tas, paid $20,000 for Yavenvale Upshot U369 (PP), a Yavenvale Rainmaker R464 son with growth, marbling, milk and fertility traits.

South Australian commercial Hereford breeders, Andrew and Annie Bell, Red Gum Herefords, Millicent, bought eight bulls, including Yavenvale Unreal U698 (PP) for $17,000.

Mr Bell was selecting bulls ranking +$200 on the new breed Sustainability Production and MSA Production indexes, growth for age, low birthweight, and high EMA and IMF.

The family run a large commercial Hereford with all steers turned off to Princess Royal Feedlot, Burra, SA, at 450 to 500 kilograms liveweight for a 120-day European Union program.

Mr Bell said the last consignment of Yavenvale blood steers averaged 0.32kg per day weight gain above the average daily gain across all British bred cattle in the feedlot, and the carcases had an average marble score of 1.6 and MSA Index of 61.2.

Other notable purchasers included Kay Payne, Eilte Poll Herefords, Scone, paying $17,000 for Yavenvale Uphill U455 (PP), Daniel McMahon, Oberon, outlaying $16,000 for Yavenvale Undaunted U012 (PP), Allan Morgan, Morganvale Poll Herefords, Willalooka, SA, paying $14,000 for Yavenvale Uno U366 (PP), Richard Long, Howitt Plains, Tamleigh, Vic, two bulls to a top of $13,000, Dallas Hurst, CADC Investments, Jindera, with two bulls to a top of $12,000, Bayrook Pastoral, Gelantipy, Vic, one bull to $13,000, and Paul and Robyn Quilty, Darlow, one bull to $13,000.

The Hicks family, Gundowring, Vic, loaded six bulls for a $5500 average.

Interfaced with AuctionsPlus, the sale resulted in 11 lots sold on the digital platform to a top of $24,000 and an online average of $13,182. There were 2673 catalogue views.

Guest auctioneer Brian Leslie described the sale as a "sensible result" considering challenging seasonal conditions for the southern states.

"There were quite a few bulls over $20,000 but there are people who have bought bulls for prices very realistic with today's market, and I bet they will be back for more next year," Mr Leslie said.

Yavenvale principal James Pearce said the large catalogue tested the market but was pleased commercial producers were able to obtain value for money with their purchases.

"Many people were complimentary on the structure of the bulls and the overall evenness. There were commercial breeders prepared to pay up to $20,000 for bulls so that's indicative of what they thought of the cattle," Mr Pearce said.

"We always want to provide choice, and it was satisfying to see how well the new bloodlines sold as it is a point of difference we offer, bringing new genetics to Australia. The stud support was exceptional with 11 bulls selling to 13 top quality registered herds."