Queensland and Northern Territory leads the way at Merawah Poll Herefords
The strength of the export cattle market and record volumes of beef exports provided the impetus for a 90 per cent clearance at the Merawah Poll Herefords annual sale, Boggabilla, on Tuesday, July 15.
The top-priced lot was Merawah Ricardo U030 at $32,000, with 47 sold at auction out of 52 offered, averaging $11,659.
Merawah co-principal Andrew Mackay, in his pre-sale remarks, said the predictions were for a continuing rise in strength of the market, while the imposition of a 10 per cent tarriff in the United States was causing little to no effect on the demand for Aussie beef.
The James family of Noel, Rosie and Donella, Mossvale Herefords, Wandoan, Queensland, bought the sale topper, a May 2023-drop, 964-kilogram son of Yarrandabbie Richard R004, out of Merawah Shamrock Q089.
Donella James said a prominent female in the bulls pedigree, Merawah Shamrock A87, had first caught their attention, followed by good estimated breeding values (EBVs) data and physical appearance, a quiet temperament and fertility.
"When you combined it all together, it equalled perfection in our eyes," Ms James said.
She said the data for the bull's short gestation and low birthweight (BW) EBV at +4.7 were also contributing factors.
It had an eye muscle area EBV of + 6.2, and EMA scan of 133 square centimetres, as well as an intramuscular fat (IMF) percentage of 5.3 and a scrotal circumference (SC) of 40 centimetres.
Its 200-day growth EBV was +37, 400-day +62 and 600-day +84, while its milk EBV was +15. The IMF EBV was +1.2 with +1.3 for fat at the rib and rump of +1.7.
Ms James said her parents had set a goal at Mossvale to breed fertile cattle with great ease of calving, with heifers calved out at 20 months.
The co-vendor at Merawah was Kelly Runzer, Tenaru, who sold Tenaru Uniontown U17 for $28,000 to Bogong Pastoral Company, Condobolin.
U17 is a 890kg, July 2023-drop, son of Armada Roff out of a Merawah Highlight E62 female. Its breeding data also stood out, with a BW EBV of +3.8, a milk EBV of +19, EMA of +4.5, rib +1.5 and rump +2.3 and an IMF of 0.5.
Bogong Pastoral Company bought four bulls averaging $17,000.
Repeat buyer strength was the foundation of the sale, with Central Australian's Mt Riddock Station the volume buyer with 14 bulls set for a ride to the Northern Territory.
Mt Riddock Station covers an area of about 2635 square kilometres and is managed by Steve Cadzow, who said his family had been buying at Merewah since 1976.
"We're having an average season out there but the stock are doing well," Mr Cadzow said.
Another NT buyer was the Hayes family, Undoolya Holdings, Alice Springs, with three bulls averaging $16,000. Their top-priced choice was Merawah Success U145, a September 2023-drop son of Kanimbla Successor R098, weighing 818kg.
Nicole Hayes said Undoolya was enjoying a run of good seasons over the past four to five years.
Another Qld buyer was CA Flower and Co, Roma, Qld, paying $18,000 for the 790kg, Merawah High Rise U135. They bought three bulls averaging $14,666, while the Sparkes family, Hornet Banks, Taroom, bought the $16,000 Merawah Riocardo U163, a half-brother to the sale topper.
Thorn Estates, Arden Downs, Bungunya, Qld, bought four bulls averaging $8250, while Goorarooman Pty Ltd, Thallon, Qld, bought two bulls averaging $14,000.
Epsilon Pastoral Company, an organic beef enterprise near Innamincka, South Australia, bought three bulls averaging $6666, while the Brook family, Adria Downs, Birdsville, Qld, another organic beef enterprise, bought two bulls averaging $6000.
The selling agents were Elders stud stock and Wilks and McKean Livestock. The auctioneer was Paul Dooley and AuctionsPlus provided the online interface.
