SA Murray Grey stud makes Platinum purchase at Silver Lining sale
A proven matron described by her Victorian owner as a "low maintenance front paddock cow" has topped the inaugural Silver Lining Elite Murray Grey Sale at Wagga Wagga, NSW.
Lot 18, a six and a half year old female, Ganado Platinum and her nine month old bull calf made $8000.
Ganado Greys stud principal Courtney Hazeldene from Bendigo, Vic said she was easily the best female she had offered for sale in 20 years in the breed.
As a committee member of the Silver Lining sale, Ms Hazeldene said she was reluctant to part with Platinum but wanted to add to the top quality offering. She had also retained two of Platinum's daughters.
"She is one of those rare front paddock cows that needs no special treatment who looks amazing all year round while raising exceptional calves," Ms Hazeldene said.
"She has a beautiful udder and is so refined through the front end."
Platinum- who was sired by Melaleuca Locky L164 had the runs on the board in the showring winning reserve junior champion as a heifer at the Melbourne Royal Show. She made a triumphant return in 2023 to win reserve senior champion female.
Earlier this year she was supreme beef exhibit at the Rochester Great Northern Show from 70 entries.
She was snapped up by Mick and Kirsty Grady, Grovene stud, Naracoorte, who inspected Ganado's show team back in March and bid over the phone.
Mr Grady said his family had been breeding Murray Greys for 30 years but he and his wife had recently taken over the Grovene stud.
"We have a specific plan on what we are doing and how we are going to rebuild it and Courtney's cow fit that plan," he said.
"She has good feet and leg structure which is always good at Western Flat because they need to walk in sand.
"She also has a beautiful bull calf which suits us, we can either do something with him stud wise or he can cover the commercials."
The sale's top priced heifer was lot 28, Ganado Anna 7thwhich was snapped up by Glanmire Murray Greys, Bathurst, NSW, for $5000.
Steve and Katrina Sanders, Ballyvaughan stud, Clare had a successful trip selling a two year old bull, Ballyvaughan Universal U38 for $5000 to the Ernst family,Dehavalyn Murray Greys, Singleton, NSW as well as a heifer, Ballyvaughan Titian U7 at $2500.
The heifer sold to Sue Francis, Onward Murray Greys, Dorrigo, NSW.
Mrs Sanders described it as a "tough sale" but were pleased they had a full clearance and sold both their lots to studs.
"We were honoured to be invited to be part of the sale because it was such a high quality line-up and an enthusiastic group to work with, " she said.
"We are hoping the sale will continue next year in more favourable conditions- it is a really good sale for the breed."
Carrsview stud, Mount Torrens, sold an unjoined heifer at $2000.
Overall 21 of 39 lots found homes in four states.
Seven bulls sold at $5000 each from 14 offered, six cow and calf units averaged $4167 of 10 lots offered and eight joined and unjoined heifers topped at $5000 and averaged $2813.
Ms Hazeldene was pleased with the inaugural sale and said it provided a solid foundation to make the 2026 sale "bigger and better".
"There were a few things going against us season wise with SA, Vic and half of NSW in drought and the other half of NSW and Qld in floods but we were exceptionally happy with the quality of the line-up from the vendors which enabled us to put the breed's best foot forward," she said.
"We of course would love to have tripled the top price and got more money for bulls but the demand was good from those at the sale and bidders online."
