Lotus Hereford bulls bring buyers keen on frame with meat and bone
Buyers looking for powerful Hereford sires competed for the fall of the hammer at Lotus bull sale, Old Farm at Pinkett via Glen Innes, on Thursday.
Best selling Lotus Unequivocal U196, artificially inseminated by Ironbark 7131E Domino S649 made $21,000 to lead the draft, with 34 of 40 bulls sold to average $9323.
First time Lotus buyers and top-priced bidders Neil and Nina Kehl, Taroom, Qld, were recommended the stud to service their herd of horned Hereford cows with steers and spayed heifers sold to the feedlots.
"We liked the size of this bull with his length and stretch," said Mr Kehl. "We just loved him."
Lotus Unequivocal, 24 months, presented on sale day weighing 998 kilograms - the heaviest of the draft, with the largest eye muscle area of any bull offered on the day at 137 square centimetres and a 43 centimetre scrotal circumference.
His softness matched the power with scannned Intra Muscular fat recording 6.5 per cent while his sperm motility read at 84pc.
The Kehls also purchased Lotus U0020 by Karoonda Yoshi R139 for $15,000 with top 15 per cent estimated breeding values for retail beef yield and mature cow weight, while sitting in the 25th percentile band for carcase weight and eye muscle area. His scanned details included a 131sqcm EMA and 5.8pc IMF while presenting with a 43cm scrotal circumference and tipping the scales at 940kg.
Lotus Hereford bull sale, July 24, 2025
Volume buyers CA Hauff and Sons, Blackall, Qld, who run 2000 Hereford breeders, came away with six Lotus sires to average $8500 and top at $14,000 for Lotus Ultra U105 by Glendan Park Quarterback Q027.
This bull weighed 874kg on sale day, at 23 months, and scanned with a 129sqcm EMA and 7pc IMF with EBV figures in the top 15pc.
Buyer Bevan Hauff, whose grandsons are fifth generation on the 2800 hectare family property, said he had known about Lotus bulls for many years but this was the first time purchasing.
"We have gone with the horned bulls for their bigger bone and bigger structure," he said. "They fit our program which is selling to the feedlots. As well we have a market for our heifers as breeders.
"We saw these bulls as representing value with length and meat hanging on frame."
Also bidding online were repeat Lotus clients Shaun and Mindy Durdin, Heathwood at Springsure, Qld, who purchased four bulls to average $12,500 and top at $15,000 for Lotus U0057 by Mawarra Hi Card P139.
Presenting with a semen motility of 90pc and the largest scrotal circumference of the draft at 44cm, he weighed 936kg with a 131sqcm EMA while maintaining 6.5pc IMF. His EBV figures recorded in the top 15pc for 200, 400 and 600 day growth and in the top 30pc for IMF.
The Durdins will put their draft of bulls to Santa Gertrudis cows on buffel and native grass country to produce cross bred progeny for the 100 day feeder market.
Victorian agent, David Phelan, Koonawarra, Vic, who buys for himself as well as clients, paid $14,000 for Lotus underscore U195 by Karoonda Yoshi R139 and $7000 for Lotus U0072 by Sugarloaf Rapture R119 with top 3pc figures for retail beef yield.
The sale was hosted by Colin Say and Co, Glen Innes, with Stocklive handling the online bidding.
