Proven sires pave the way at the Wirruna Poll Herefords spring sale
Young sires used throughout the Wirruna Poll Hereford's herd proved their worth at the stud's spring sale on Wednesday, August 27, held on-property near Holbrook.
The top-priced bull Wirruna Ulitmate U078 was purchased by Ardrossan, Batlow, for $14,000.
The 24-month-old bull, by former Herefords Australia Super Sire, Quamby Plains Rival R629, weighed 886 kilograms, and recorded and daily average weight gain of 1.12kg, with a scrotal measurement of 45 centimetres.
He ranked in the top two per cent in his gestation length estimated breeding value with a figure of -6.2, was top 7pc for intramuscular fat at +1.9, and was top 8pc for carcase weight with +74.
Continuing the high percentile figures, he ranked in the top 15pc for his 200-day and 400-day weights, as well as his scrotal size figure, days to calving figure and his rump fat figure of +42, +72, +3.4, -5, +2.5, respectively.
Rod Sturt, manager of Ardrossan, Batlow, said the mixed farming operation had purchased bulls from the stud before, with their progeny performing well.
Ardrossan runs about 350 females, with steers grown out to feeder weights and the heifer portion retained.
Mr Sturt said the new sire would join the operation's first calving cows.
"All his figures were spot on," he said.
Several volume buyers were active, with Wiltara Farms, Tongy Station, Cassilis, taking home six bulls for a top of $13,000 to average $10,666, while Ryder Pastoral Company, Tawonga, Vic, secured four bulls averaging $5750.
The top-priced heifer, Wirruna Circle U318, was purchased by Avonview Herefords, Yelbani, Western Australia, for $7500.
The Wirruna Querido daughter was one of the sales 'star lots' and was pregnancy-tested-in-calf to the Toburk Southern Cross S15 son, Wirruna Umpire U036.
The 24-month-old female, from Wirruna Circle S154, a Tarcombe Cadbury P181 daughter, ranked in the top 2pc for her eye muscle area, rib fat and IMF at +7.9, +2.8 and +2.6, respectively.
She also ranked in the top 4pc for her rump fat figure of +3.5 and in the top 6pc for her days to calving figure of -6.7.
There were two pens of pregnancy tested in calf heifers which reached a top of $2300 to average $2280.
Wirruna stud principal Ian Locke said although he was expecting it to be a tougher sale, he was very pleased with the average.
He said the surprise of the sale was the top-priced heifer.
"I did feel before the sale there was a lot of energy around the heifers and that's turned out to be quite right," he said.
Overall, 38 of 58 bulls averaged $8929, while all seven stud heifers reached a top of $7500 for an average of $3875.
Cattle sold into four states including Western Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and throughout NSW.
The sale was conducted by Nutrien Ag Solutions, Holbrook, while AuctionsPlus provided the online selling platform.
