Softness, structure and survivability drive record-breaking Minnie-Vale sale

Demand for softness, survivability and structural soundness sled an interstate buyer to set a new on-property record at the annual Minnie-Vale Charolais bull sale, held at Bexley, near Narrabri, on July 24.

Living up to his starring role, Minnie-Vale Understudy U110E, sold for $42,000, with repeat buyers Mac and Gayle Shann, Cantaur Park, Clermont, Queensland, securing the bull.

Son of Silverstream Padra P7 and out of Minnie-Vale Milly R25E, the 23-month-old homozygous polled bull weighed 855 kilograms.

He scanned six millimetres and 8mm over the rib and rump, respectively, along with 143 square centimetres eye muscle area and 3.8 per cent intramuscular fat.

"On the whole, it was [Understudy's] softness and muscle pattern [that appealed to us] as he is just a beautifully sound bull," Mr Shann said.

"Also, his sire appeal, and being homozygous polled, is certainly a big benefit.

"We breed a lot of Droughtmaster/Charolais bulls for the north, and they're really chasing a polled animal up in northern Queensland."

The Shanns also paid $22,000 for the second top-priced bull, 21-month-old Minnie-Value Urquart U170E, and $18,000 for Minnie Vale Ultrasound U71E.

Sired by Anc Oscar 2ND and out of Minnie-Vale Slumber Q175, Urquart weighed 830kg with 5mm rib fat, 7mm rump fat, 143sq cm EMA, and 5.5pc IMF.

Also travelling south of the border, Nogoa Pastoral managers Peter and Vicki Howard, Duckponds, Emerald, secured a draft of four bulls to average $13,000.

The top bull in the first-time buyer's draft, Minnie-Vale Universal U177E, was knocked down for $20,000.

Son of Glenlea Qbrick and out of Minnie-Vale Deacon Q84E, the 19-month-old weighed 724kg with 7mm rib fat, 8mm rump fat, 140sq cm EMA, and 5.6pc IMF.

Bone, fat cover, docility, and structural soundness topped Howard's wishlist.

They manage a 1500-head commercial Charolais, Angus and Brahman crossbreed operation which targets Teys' grass-fed market.

"We aim for 320kg to 350kg dressed weight at about 18 to 24 months of age in a good fattening country," Mr Howard said.

Volume buyer and first-time client, Paul Frampton, Merriwa, purchased a draft of five bulls to average $6000.

Minnie-Vale co-principal Jason Salier was elated to achieve a new on-farm record.

"It tells me that our program is heading in the right direction, but even more so, it's about the full clearance," he said.

"We've made a gentle transition over the last seven or eight years to improve softness while keeping muscle in a polled package.

"It's been difficult to do as it is a real balancing act, but we're really proud of the lineup of bulls."

Kelvinside Pty Ltd, Scone, bought two bulls to average $13,000.

TA Conroy, Grafton, purchased four bulls to average $10,000.

Glen Hamblin, Hamblin Pastoral, Narrabri, secured three bulls to average $7333.

Davidson Cameron and Co conducted the sale with Tom Tanner, Quirindi, as auctioneer. AuctionsPlus provided the online interface.