Femininity, fertility and futurity encompassed in Braford heifer offering
A handpicked 43-lot draft has been catalogued by the Wide Bay Burnett Braford Promotional Group, for the fifth annual Elite Braford Breeders Heifer Sale.
This year's sale will see 38 registered heifers and five commercial heifers (of which 88 per cent are polled) offered from 10.30am at the Gayndah Showgrounds, on Saturday, March 22.
The 11 returning seedstock vendors for this year's sale include: Stuart and Janelle Dingle, Chasewater stud, Mt Perry; the Donavan family, Ashby stud, Jimbour; Robert and Lesette Hoffmann, Downfall Creek stud, Guluguba; Malcolm and Sandra Kenny, Abernethy stud, Gayndah; Russell and Donna Kenny, Harriett Valley stud, Gayndah; Robert Kliese, Teviot Hills stud, Mutdapilly; Cameron and Sarah Bennett, Little Valley Grazing Company, Casino, NSW; the McNamara family, Strathgyle stud, Bell; the McNamara Partnership, MCN stud, Bell; Rhonda Ryan, Banyula stud, Emerald; and the Webster family, Goomora stud, Goomboorian.
Wide Bay Burnett Braford Promotional Group spokesperson Ness Bambling said these returning vendors would be joined by sale newcomers and commercial breeders, Peter and Anna Dingle, The Willows, Mt Perry, who she said would have "some really good heifers going up for grabs".
"This is a strong line-up of heifers that will bring femininity, fertility, and futurity to stud and commercial operations. Braford females are always exceptional mothers," Ms Bambling said.
She classed the 2024 sale, in which all 44 females sold to average $3465 and gross $152,450 as a"strong result". Breaking this down, 39 registered females sold to average $3595, and five commercial females averaged $2450. The top price reached on the day was $8000.
"Considering the poor seasonal conditions it was heartening to see so many young people purchasing heifers.
"Since its inception, the sale's central location has allowed buyers from three to four hours distance away to attend the sale to purchase quality affordable cattle.
"These heifers have been dispersed as far as Rockhampton in the north to Casino in the south and west to Emerald."
It's expected that live auctioneering and the ability to bid online through Stocklive will open up opportunities for more people to purchase the ideal heifer for their programs at this year's sale.
"This is the first time we will have online bidding as opposed to live video on the day of the sale."
All interested parties are welcome to attend the presale dinner to be held at the Grand Hotel from 6pm onwards on Friday, March 21. Guests will include representatives of sale sponsors Rabobank, Norco, Riverina, and Virbac, who'll be happy to discuss their specialist knowledge and the products their businesses have available to assist beef cattle producers.
For further information please contact the sale vendors and review the photos and videos of individual lots on Stocklive or the Elite Braford Breeders Heifer Sale Facebook page. The catalogue can also be viewed on the Australian Braford Society website.
All lots will be available to inspect on the vendors' properties two weeks out from sale day via appointment. The heifers can also be previewed over complimentary morning tea from 8am on sale day.
Those who get hungry during the sale can tuck into the delicious steak burgers to be prepared by the staff from the Gayndah Primary School.
GDL's Mark Duthie will be the sale agent for the fifth straight year. For enquiries please call him on 0448 016 950. Alternatively please call Sandra Kenny on 0429 014 502.
