Top seedstock and commercial genetics in Celamba Speckle Park Sale offering

THIS IS BRANDED CONTENT FOR CELAMBA SPECKLE PARK STUD

Affordable, high-quality cattle will be offered at the second annual Celamba Speckle Park Bull Sale and Speckle Park Infused Commercial Sale to be held at the Dalby Saleyards from 10am on Friday, October 24.

Celamba stud principal Celia Mackay said she will offer 30 registered stud bulls, while several vendors will offer terrific lines of Speckle Park-infused steers and females in the commercial section.

On the bull front, she said these large or medium-framed, commercially-orientated sires have excellent temperaments, and are well-suited to either heifer or cow joinings.

"Two of these sires, Oakey Creek Colby and JAD Quistacat, will be represented by their respective sons, Celamba Cooper and Celamba Quince, at the Ekka later this month and will then be offered in the sale draft," Ms Mackay said.

In addition to the sires mentioned above, this year's Celamba draft will also feature sons of Oakey Creek Panda and Wattle Grove Easy Rider, among others.

For the 2024 sale, buyers were active from Queensland and New South Wales, which resulted in a full clearance of the bulls, and the commercial cattle offered on the day sold for 20 to 30 per cent above the market value at the time for a standard sale at Dalby or Roma.

"I was very happy with the result, with it being the first time the sale had been held. It wasn't stupid money, just affordable, commercially-viable bulls. The commercial offering was met with great demand from backgrounders and lotfeeders in the region.

BRED TO PERFORM

Like many in the region, the Celamba herd endured a tough summer.

"We missed out on the rain, and we've had a dry winter. The season around here has been hit or miss, with some enjoying a good season, while others haven't."

She said the bulls have been prepared so that when they go out in the paddocks at their new homes, they don't fall in a heap.

"They've been on leauceana since weaning unassisted, and went onto a 90-day ration leading up to sale day. Buyers will be purchasing grass-fed bulls that have been raised to walk and forage under their own steam."

She said she focuses on structure, temperament and fertility, first and foremost, when selecting bulls for sale.

"These traits are closely followed by weight for age and IMF to max kilo returns for purchasers of our bulls."

COMMERCIAL INCENTIVE

She said the commercial sale will present an opportunity for buyers of Speckle Park bulls to put their progeny through the sale, providing a guaranteed sale avenue for what they produce.

"The cattle in the commercial sale don't necessarily have to be by Celamba bulls. It's all inclusive," Ms Mackay said.

As an added incentive for commercial producers, a total of $20,000 in prize money will be up for grabs on the day, with the three steers and three heifers judged the best, and sold on the day, to win $500 for third place, $2000 for second, and $5000 for first in both sections. The first-placed steer and heifer will then square off for a $5000 grand prize.

"This opportunity should be attractive to smaller-scale producers as well, as only three heifers or steers need to be offered on the day.

"It won't necessarily be the heaviest animals that will win either. It could be a great line of weaners, breeder heifers, or a pen of fat steers."

GDL sale agent Wyatt Wrigley is expecting close to 800-head to be yarded for the commercial sale.

"These are weaner, feeder and backgrounder-type cattle from southern, south-east, and south-west Queensland, along with a couple of pens each from Central Queensland and Northern New South Wales. This year's offering will include grain-fed and grain-assisted Speckle Park yearlings."

Mr Wrigley said GDL is continuing to take bookings from outside vendors for the commercial sale.

"We are more than happy to accommodate any agency that wants to market Speckle Park cattle with us through the sale."

BREED SHOWCASE

Ms Mackay is looking forward to people attending the sale, even if it's just to come and have a look.

"It's the biggest offering of Speckle Park cattle at one sale in Australia, so there is value in attending for those that may be interested in getting into the breed as well as those who're already using Speckle genetics."

Before the Celamba bulls enter the ring, Ms Mackay will be offering a heifer with calf at foot, with all proceeds going to the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

"She's a proven breeder and sound stud female."

Those who are unable to make the trip to Dalby for the sale can bid from home through the AuctionsPlus online platform.

In addition to the two bulls being exhibited at Ekka, inspections of the sale draft can be conducted at any time by contacting GDL sale agent Wyatt Wrigley.

The catalogue will be available to view on the GDL and AuctionsPlus websites from mid-September.

For enquiries, please call Celia Mackay, Celamba Speckle Park stud, 0428 275 375, Wyatt Wrigley, GDL Dalby, 0474 462 318, or your preferred GDL branch.

THIS IS BRANDED CONTENT FOR CELAMBA SPECKLE PARK STUD