Top price Devon Court bull with 11 breed leading traits bound for stud herd

A bull in the top 25pc of the breed for 11 different traits secured the top price at the Nixon family's Devon Court Hereford sale at Drillham on Tuesday, September 2.

The family partnership of Robyn, sons Tom and Alec and his wife, Ellie, sold 36 of 40 bulls, or 90pc, to average $9250 and top at $22,000.

Buyers were active from as far south as Wodonga, Victoria, west to Cameron's Corner and north to Nebo, with many places in between represented.

The sale topper was the highly sought-after son of the $130,000 Mawarra Ultra Star R182, Devon Court Ultra Star U101, who was out of the Devon Court Lady Alice O241 female.

Devon Court Ultra Star U101 was selected by GDL stud stock agent Mark Duthie for his client Wesley Lowein, WRL Herefords, Kaimkillenbun.

Mr Duthie said he had seen the bull on four occasions this year, and he loved his depth and softness.

"He really has that extra punch required for a stud sire," Mr Duthie said.

"He has great weight, sitting on 900 kilograms, and an eye muscle area of 141 square centimetres."

Tom Nixon said the sale topper was the pick of the sale bulls.

"This was evident in his estimated breeding values, where he was in the top 25pc of the breed with 11 different traits," he said.

"It is very pleasing that he will be used for stud duties, as he represents both our horned and polled genetics."

Mr Nixon said apart from the top-priced bull, it was pleasing to see commercial cattlemen representing a large spread of the Australian map active.

Noel and Rosie James, Wandoan paid $15,000 for Devon Court Ultimate U156, a son of Mawarra R140, from the Devon Belle family. They topped up their order, paying $7000 for another lot.

Mossgiel Farming, Miles paid $14,000 for another son of Mawarra Ultimate U156, while they selected another sire for $13,000.

Volume buyers signing off on three bulls include Denise Hartwig, Biloela, whose lots averaged $9333.

Mrs Hartwig said that where once she and her late husband, Robert, ran a purebred Hereford herd, they then moved into crossing breeding.

"Now we are looking to add more Hereford genetics through the herd," she said.

Dack Cattle Co, Taroom, also bought three for an average of $6000 for their lots, as did Will Davidson, Middlemount, paying an average of $11,333.

In 2024, Devon Court sold 33 of 34 bulls for a top price of $36,000 to average a record $13,100.

• Selling agents Nutrien, GDL, Stocklive