Kidman Head Master goes to top of the class with stud record result

Kidman Hereford genetics are heading international after the sale of one of the best bulls the stud had bred and a stud on-property record.

Bidding reached a top of $50,000 at the Kidman Hereford on-property sale at Dulcidene, near Dubbo, on Monday, July 14.

All eyes were on Kidman Head Master U070, a June 2023-drop Yarrandabbie Richard R004 son, out of Kidman Duchess, a Wirruna Lego L395 daughter.

Bidding started at $10,000 and quickly climbed to the $50,000 high, with interested buyers online, inside the shed and via the telephone.

In the end, it was Victorian stud Newcomen Herefords, Ensay, that secured the 908-kilogram bull, with 44 centimetres scrotal circumference.

Newcomen's Barry Newcomen bought the bull sight unseen, saying the figures had impressed him.

He said it was "hard to get the perfect bull" but Head Master had ticked plenty of boxes, including his eye muscle area estimated breeding value of +55, in the top three per cent, and low birthweight of +3.2.

The bull also sat in the top 1pc for rib and rump fat, at +3.8 and +5.5 respectively, and top 4pc for intramuscular fat at +2.2.

He also had a Sustainability index figure of $207 - in the top 5pc - and Meat Standards Australia index of $214, in the top 10pc.

Mr Newcomen said Head Master would be put to use next season, likely with their heifers.

He said he had bought a Kidman bull in the past and been pleased with the results.

Mr Newcomen said they had been looking for some bulls ahead of next year, so took advantage of the chance to snatch up "a good bull".

"I think it's only going to get dearer from here," he said.

Kidman offered the bull with 100 straws of semen, but will be retaining 50pc of marketing rights.

Involved in the deal was New Zealand semen rights to Otago Hereford stud Stoneburn.

Andy Denham, Stoneburn, Palmerston, New Zealand, first saw the bull on the Australian Herefords website and made inquiries, eventually flying across to see the bull and complete the deal.

"I think he's a well put-together bull," he said.

"I liked his breeding and he's got a good bit of data."

Mr Denham had bought semen rights from other Australian bulls but this was his first time buying at Kidman.

He said the bull would go into an AI program with their 170 Hereford cows.

Mr Denham said he was impressed by Head Master's figures, saying it was not something they had worried about too much in the past - focusing more on type - but this was a chance to get some more data in their breeding.

Kidman studmaster Nelson Carlow described the bull as a "star lot".

"Figures-wise and phenotype, he's amongst the best bulls we've bred - he's a handy animal," he said.

Overall, 21 of 41 bulls sold under the hammer for an average $11,600.

There was a strong start to the sale with the first 10 bulls averaging $15,800.

There were two bulls sold at the second-highest price of $16,000.

The first of these was Kidman Enchant U063, a Kidman Hitmand Q067 son, bought via AuctionsPlus by Gunyah Hereford stud, Cooma.

The second was Kidman Casino U032, a twin-born son of Wirruna Rockefeller R355, bought by Delmar Pastoral Co, Forbes.

Casino had an IMF EBV of +3.0 and rib fat of +3.5 and rump fat of +5.2 - all in the top 1pc, as well as EMA of +7.4, in the top 4pc.

Delmar Pastoral Co also bought a second bull for an overall average of $11,000.

There was good interest via AuctionsPlus, with eight bulls sold online, including two heading to Tasmania, to the Poulsen family, Lynwood, for an average $8000.

Also picking up a double via AuctionsPlus was Melrose Farming, Condobolin, averaging $8000, and McGlashan Ag, Bugaldie, averaging $11,000.

BW and BJ Roberts, Glen View, Pilliga, bought two for an average $11,000, ME and PR Wilkins, Bexley, Braidwood, bought two at $6000 and Julucy Pty Ltd, Yavendale, Adelong, bought two at $6000.

Mr Carlow said the sale was a bit tough, with some of their regular clients not requiring bulls this year.

"There was good support from new clients and some return clients" he said.

"And the bulls were as good a lineup as we've had."

The sale was conducted by Nutrien Stud Stock with Paul Dooley the auctioneer and AuctionsPlus the online interface.