A poll-heavy draft assembled for the 21st New Dimensions Braford Sale

THIS IS BRANDED CONTENT FOR THE AUSTRALIAN BRAFORD SOCIETY

A superlative 66-lot draft is set for the 21^st New Dimensions Braford Sale on Saturday, August 30, from 11am at the Bell Showground.

In all, 18 registered bulls and 48 registered heifers have been catalogued by 12 vendors for this year's sale. Two studs based in central west New South Wales, Double C and Chadwick Downs, will make their sale debut.

Sale committee secretary, Amy McNamara, said the draft for the 2025 sale is replete with consistently strong cattle from the first lot to the last.

"This year's draft has a strong poll presence. About 40 per cent of the draft is homozygous polled, while 90pc of the draft is polled," Mrs McNamara said.

"This year, the sale committee has introduced a bull purchasing incentive through heifers purchased. If you buy one to three heifers, you will receive $250 off each bull purchased. If you buy four or more heifers, you will receive $500 off each bull purchased.

"There will also be an incentive for heifer purchasers to gain a 12-month membership with the Australian Braford Society for half price."

She said New Dimensions has held sustained appeal to its central location.

"Vendors have always assisted with deliveries, and buyers have a cross-section of well-established Braford stud genetics to select from."

For the 2024 sale, buyer interest came from as far south as Blayney in the Southern Highlands of NSW, to Winton in Western Qld.

"Last year, we had continued strong support for the females and the small selection of bulls that were presented were met with a solid market."

This support resulted in 10 of the 13 bulls offered selling to average $6800 and reaching a high price of $12,000, while 43 of 44 females sold to average $3953 to top at $6500 on two occasions.

The Graving family, trading as Mrs E.R Graving, have purchased bulls and heifers out of the sale since it began.

The family began utilising Brafords 50 years ago, when Erald and Evelyn Graving, due to a need for better tick resistance in their base herd.

Mrs Graving and her son, Brett, now run the business on Kurrajong and Grevillea, which are situated halfway between Biloela and Monto, in Central Queensland.

Brett Graving said the Brafords' ability to thrive in good seasons and survive in drought is a great motivator to have them in their herd.

"We mainly keep a core purebred Braford herd on Grevillea, and on Kurrajong we put some Droughtmaster bulls over Braford cows and vice versa," Mr Graving said.

"This cross has provided even more tick resistance and drought tolerance. We usually aim to sell weaners straight off their mothers at 250-300kg."

To bolster their Braford genetics, Mr Graving and his mother have attended nearly every New Dimension Sale since they started, only missing a few due to other commitments.

"I usually attend the sale alone now, but I still buy bulls and heifers in my mother's name. The sale is one of the few outings that Evelyn and I go to in the year, and it is great to catch up with people that you haven't seen or spoken to in 12 months."

He said it's not just a sale, but a "Braford enthusiast reunion".

"What were once kids when we first started going are now adults, and some are even running their own studs now."

The Gravings purchased two bulls at the 2024 New Dimensions sale, which have performed admirably.

"I'll be attending the sale again this year, and I'll be looking at polled bulls that are naturally quiet."

Mrs McNamara said, excluding Victoria, the season had been quite good leading up to the sale.

"The cattle market has been strong, so purchasers can have confidence in their investments."

Those who're unable to make the trip to Bell on sale day can bid from home, online, through Stocklive.

All lots will be penned for inspection at the Bell Showground from 3pm on Friday, August 29. A meet and greet function will be held at the showground from 6pm on the Friday night.

The catalogue can be viewed on Stocklive and through the Australian Braford Society website.

Vendors will again support the New Dimensions sale with post-sale delivery of lots purchased.

All lots catalogued will be sire verified.

For enquiries, please contact sale secretary, Amy McNamara, 0438 335 765, Elders sale agent, Andrew Meara, 0427 210 634 or the Elders Dalby office, (07) 4696 9300.

THIS IS BRANDED CONTENT FOR THE AUSTRALIAN BRAFORD SOCIETY