Speckle Park bulls in hot demand at JAD's second annual Queensland sale

Speckle Park bulls were in high demand at the Dickens' second annual Queensland JAD bull sale at Rolleston on Friday, August 22.

Held at the Rolleston Livestock and Grain Selling Complex, the sale marked the 10th annual stud bull sale for JAD Speckle Park and Angus stud principals, Justin and Amy Dickens and family from Yeovale, NSW.

Overall, 58 of 59 bulls were sold to 38 successful purchasers, representing a sale clearance of 98 per cent, for a strong sale average of $10,224.13.

Bulls were sold into three states, with buyers from Queensland, New South Wales, and even Western Australia securing genetics.

The Speckle Park draft was in particularly high demand, with a 100 pc clearance on all bulls, including the sale's top price of $30,000 and averaging $11,096.

In the Angus draft, 27 out of 28 bulls sold, reaching a top price of $22,000 and averaging $9,222.

At the 2024 inaugural sale, 22 Speckle Park bulls sold for a top price of $12,000 and averaged $6316, while 13 Angus bulls sold for a top price of $18,000 and averaged $11,692.

In a hotly contested bidding battle, Biloela-based commercial Droughtmaster breeder Helen and Ian Bryant, Burnside Beef, placed the top bid of $30,000 to secure the top-priced commercial Speckle Park bull, lot 45, JAD U507.

The purchase marks the Burnside Beef operation's first foray into Speckle Park genetics.

Ms Bryant highlighted the bull's outstanding structure and commercial appeal for their decision to purchase the bull on the day.

"He's got the length and he's got the top line," she said.

"Can't fault his structure, good tidy sheath, nice bully head, and a good hooded eye. He ticked all the boxes."

The decision to introduce Speckle Park genetics is part of a broader strategy to improve carcase quality and market adaptability within their Droughtmaster-based herd of around 170 breeders.

"Speckle Park bulls have a lot of traits going for them, especially with intramuscular fat and their ability to finish steers, which is what we're aiming to do. Whether we sell them off as feeders or weaners, that finishing ability is key," Ms Bryant said.

She added that targeting markets like the EU and Teys Grasslands is central to their commercial direction.

"In the past, we've struggled with finishing ability and getting top price at the meatworks. We think this bull is going to do the job for us," she said.

The top-priced bull will be joined to Droughtmaster cows and first-calf heifers that have recently weaned.

The 25-month-old sire prospect was sired by Maungahina Promise and out of JAD U507.

Weighing 816 kilograms, the white polled Speckle Park bull recorded an average daily weight gain of one kiligram, scrotal measurement of 40 centimetres, P8 and rib fat measurement of 16 and 10 millimetres, respectively.

He had an eye muscle area of 125 square centimetres and recorded an average IMF score of 7.3 pc and morphology of 86 pc.

His dam, L594, remains in the Dickens' herd today as a 10-year-old cow.

In addition to lot 45, Burnside Beef also purchased a second Speckle Park bull, lot 62, JAD Venus V2, a 17-month-old yearling registered bull.

"He was just too good to leave there. I think he's going to grow into a cracker of a bull," Ms Bryant said.

Their marketing approach will remain flexible, depending on rainfall and pasture availability.

"We're targeting the feeder market, but if the seasons are good, I'd like to grow them out and finish them straight to the meatworks," Helen said.

Returning clients Chas and Judy Nobbs, Cordelia, Moura purchased the top-priced Angus bull, lot 3 JADA Unanimous U616, for $22,000.

At 25 months old, he had an EMA of 133 sq cm, IMF of 7.3 pc, and a scrotal circumference of 41 cm, with P8 and rib fat measurements of 17 mm and 11 mm, respectively.

The HBR-registered Angus sire weighed 892 kilograms and recorded an ADG of 1.11 kg.

Unanimous U616 was the first of seven sons of US-sire, Musgrave 316 Exclusive, to be offered in the JAD catalogue.

In another generous gesture by the sale vendors, the Dickens family have kindly donated 10 pc of the auction sale price of this bull to the Black Dog Institute.

Unanimous U616 was used as a yearling stud back-up sire in the JAD program last Spring.

The Warrian family of GKW Pastoral Holdings, Injune, were the top volume buyers, securing 13 bulls for a top of $16,000 and an average of $9692.

Golden Pastoral Holdings of Yuleba also made a significant purchase, taking home four Speckle Park bulls for a top price of $19,000 and an average of $17,250.

The sale attracted buyers from across the country, with four Speckle Park bulls selling online to Gemma Cripps of Gabyon Station, near Geraldton, in Western Australia for an average of $6500.

The Nobbs family from Cordelia, Moura, secured four Angus bulls for an average of $13,000, while Rhondhu Stud, Grass Hut Station, Mingela, picked up three Angus and one Speckle Park bull at an average of $6750.

Nutrien stud stock agent Dane Pearce commented on the sale's success, noting the strong support from both new and returning clients.

"A very positive sale result for the vendors once again. I think we've seen a bit of a turnaround this year in support for the Speckle Park bulls, and that's a trademark of what the vendors are known for," Mr Pearce said.

"It's widely known they're big supporters of the breed, and the support for the Speckle Park bulls was very strong.

"Both Angus and Speckle Park bulls right through central Queensland, New South Wales, and we've also sold three bulls into Western Australia.

"A lot of repeat buyers were operating, but a few new buyers too. Many of those buyers who were here last year lined up once again."

The selling agents were Nutrien Ag Solutions, interfaced with AuctionsPlus.