Top buyer sees 'second to none' herd transformation with Futurity genetics

Moderate heifer bulls with high calving ease and growth topped buyers' lists at the Futurity Pastoral Shorthorn and Charolais sale, held on-property at Glen Ayr, near Baradine, on Thursday.

Overall, 92 of 97 bulls sold to a top price of $70,000, to average $12,793.

In the breakdown, 49 of 51 Shorthorn two-year-old bulls hit $70,000 to average $15,000, while five of eight yearling bulls made $16,000 to average $8600.

The sale celebrated 50 years of Temana Charolais genetics, clearing all 38 bulls to a $17,000 top and $10,433 average.

Bidding action matched its name as Futurity Up n Go U628 sold to Emma Bowman and Johno Martin, Tinman Farming Trust, Dunedoo, for $70,000

Sired by Weebollabolla Route R81 and out of Futurity Quests Enia S425, the 24-month-old homozygous polled bull weighed 848 kilograms with a scrotal circumference of 37 centimetres.

He scanned 11 millimetres and 17mm over the rib and rump, respectively, along with 126 square centimetres eye muscle area and 7.2 per cent intramuscular fat.

Up n Go also displayed estimated progeny differences (EPDs) in the top 10pc of the breed for calving ease at +13, -0.2 birthweight, +9.1 maternal calving ease, and -0.063 fat.

From the moment Ms Bowman spotted Up n Go in the paddock, she knew he was the "complete package."

"He has a beautiful red colour, structure, depth and phenotype that drew me in," she said.

Ms Bowman is a repeat buyer at Futurity and said the program had transformed their herd.

"We were having some calving issues, so we purchased a heifer bull about five years ago, and what he did for us in one generation is second to none," she said.

The pair runs a mixed operation with a 250-head split Shorthorn and Poll Hereford herd.

They target the feeder market, selling cull cows through Milling Stuart, Dunedoo, and 420 to 500kg steers to JBS.

Up n Go will join cows in about a month, with plans to also collect semen.

A buyer through Colin Say and Co, Glen Innes, secured Futurity Untouchable U648 for $56,000.

Son of Bayview Daytona Q34 and out of Futurity TS Enia S538, the 24-month-old weighed 796kg with 15mm rib fat, 26mm rump fat, 119sq cm EMA, and 7.8pc IMF.

Untouchable displayed EPDs in the top 1pc for +21.5 calving ease, -4.7 birthweight and +0.45 marbling.

Will and Tim Bowman, Glen Iris, Tooraweenah, purchased Futurity Unsurpassed U630 for $50,000.

Sired by Futurity Scotch Fillet S373 and out of Futurity Quinellas Enia S475, the 24-month-old weighed 966kg with 10mm rib fat, 17mm rump fat, 137sq cm EMA, and 7.5pc IMF.

He also displayed EPDs in the top 2pc with +16.3 calving ease, -1.9 birthweight, +21.5 carcase weight and +142.38 all purpose index.

They also bought Futurity Updated U725 for $14,000.

Volume buyers, Rachel and Cameron Greig, Weemabah Pty Ltd, Moombidasy Station, Hungerford, Queensland, secured a draft of seven bulls to average $6571.

Seeking fertile, mobile, soft, and moderate bulls, they run 3500 Shorthorn/Droughtmaster breeders and 700 replacement heifers at Hungerford, joining year-round to target feedlot and weaner markets.

In the Charolais, Futurity Vantage V207E sold to Kate and Darren Mackaway, Stony Creek Beef, Walcha, for $17,000.

Son of Ayr Alex's Eltree AYRN402F and out of Temana Q151E, the 16-month-old homozygous polled bull weighed 708kg with a scrotal circumference of 36cm.

He scanned 4mm and 6mm over the rib and rump, respectively, along with 119 square centimetres eye muscle area and 5.9 per cent intramuscular fat.

Temperament, homozygous polled, weight and shape for age were at the top of Mackaway's list.

Their 2000-head Charolais and Shorthorn/Angus operation, which includes 600 breeders, targets the grassfed market.

They aim to turn steers off young, joining heifers for six weeks and cows for eight from October 10.

The Mackaways purchased three other bulls to average $13,750.

Futurity co-principal Jason Catts said the result and strong support for their program was wonderful.

Burleigh Estates Pty Ltd, secured four Shorthorn bulls to average $14,000.

Threesons Grazing Co, Autumnvale, Injune, Qld, bought four Charolais bulls to average $9000.

Elders conducted the sale with Scott Cooper, Elders studstock, and Lincoln McKinlay, Linc'D Pty Ltd, as auctioneer. AuctionsPlus provided the online interface.