Tarcombe sells to a top of $12,000 twice, with stiff bidding on top bulls

The operators of a commercial herd in far western Victoria have picked up the two top-priced bulls at Tarcombe Hereford's annual production sale.

Tarcombe sold 13 of 39 bulls and 16 of 29 heifers at its 51st production sale, held on the Ruffy property.

Two bulls sold for the top price of $12,000, while the most expensive heifer went for $4000.

Last year, Tarcombe sold 18 bulls to a top of $18,000 and 12 heifers, the best of which reached $4400.

Stud co-principal Tim Hayes said he was pleased with Tarcombe's 51st annual production sale results, given the tight conditions in much of the state.

"It was what I expected; it wasn't much of a surprise, but it was a pleasing result as far as the good bulls have sold and gone to good homes," he said.

He said the best trait of the two top-priced bulls was their carcase.

"It's been a big focus of ours for a number of years now, adding carcase quality," he said.

The top-priced bulls, lots 32 and 33, sold for $12,000 each to Andrew and Kevin Harvey, Inva Loch Pastoral, Strathdownie.

Lot 32, Tarcombe Quambone U054 (P) was a March 2023-drop bull by Wirruna Quambone Q135 (AI) (PP) out of Tarcombe Cora Q021 (P) (A1).

He had a birthweight of 5.4 kilograms, a 200-day weight of 41kg, a 400-day weight of 65kg and 600-day weight of 92kg.

In early March, he weighed 832kg and had a scrotal circumference of 40 centimetres.

Quambone's eye muscle area (EMA) was nine square centimetres, while his Hereford Breedplan Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) were a 2.8 millimetre rib and 3.3mm rump.

He had a retail beef yield (RBY) of 0.7 per cent and intramuscular fat (IMF) of 3.1pc.

The second top-priced bull, Tarcombe Quambone U085 (AI) (PP), was also by Wirruna Quambone, out of Mount Difficult Lorna B123 (P).

He had a birthweight of 1.8kg, a 200-day weight of 35kg, a 400-day weight of 60kg and 600-day weight of 80kg; he weighed 798kg.

The bull had EBVs of a 5.3 sq cm EMA, 1.2mm rib, 1.1mm rump, 0.9pc RBY and 2.1pc IMF.

Andrew Harvey said lot 32 was a "cracking-looking bull" with outstanding figures.

"I like the way he is made up, great shoulders and heaps of carcase in him," Mr Harvey said.

"Lot 33, again, a very nice heifer bull; he is really quite outstanding, and hopefully, calving ease will come with him."

The Harveys run about 450 cows, turning off half their steers as weaners through Mount Gambier, SA while retaining the balance to either feedlot or kill weight.

He said that half the females were usually retained, but expansion meant that all would be kept this year.

He said it was the third time he and his father had been to Tarcombe.

"I've been going to the Wodonga National Hereford Show and Sale for probably 10 years now and have always been impressed by what Tim does," he said.

"What he has in Wodonga certainly does reflect what he has in his commercial herd."

Data and carcase resulted in "very functional bulls.

"They are not super 'fed' up; they are very 'easy doing', and it's not like you have to feed them all the time," he said.

"The IMF on both bulls is quite good; eating quality is a massive thing in the industry now. If we can keep improving that, the benefits will certainly show up."

Mr Hayes said Tarcombe was continually striving to improve by introducing new genetics.

In February, Tarcombe paid $22,000 for Yavenvale Umzingeli U806 (AI) (PP).

At the time, Mr Hayes said the Matariki Nautical son boasted high calving ease and carcase merit.

"I liked his type, structure, outcross genetics, gestation length, calving ease, EMA, positive fat, marbling and fertility," he said on social media.

The top selling heifer, lot 48, Tarcombe Venus U043 (P) was bought by a Queensland buyer for $4000.

She was by Tarcombe Trust Q299 (AI) (ET) (P) out of Tarcbome Venus M098 (P) (P).

Venus had a BW of 3.1kg, a 200-day weight of 32kg, a 400-day weight of 60kg, and a 600-day weight of 76kg.

Her EMA measured 6.3sq cm, while her rib measured 2.7mm and rump measured 3.7mm.

Venus had an RBY of -0.1 per cent and an IMF of +1.7pc.

Nutrien South East stud stock manager Peter Godbolt, Albury, NSW, said while Tarcombe cleared the females, the bull sale was "a little bit tougher.

"Buyers got onto the top five to six bulls and chase them pretty hard, a few of the commercial buyers were taking a bit of value for money in a tougher season and got in and bought bulls, rather than holding off until next year.

"I think if we get a good seasonal break, prices could be up 25-30 per cent on last year."

He said three animals were sold to Queensland buyers.

"The program here at Tarcombe is doing a pretty good job of getting the type of cattle right; they are getting the Breedplan data on these cattle spot on," Mr Godbolt said.

"It's well worth people having a look at the program, definitely."

Bulls and heifers sold into South Australia and locally.

"There's one bull that's been sold into a stud; half the females have gone to stud herds, and the rest are going to commercial operations."