NSW stud secures top-priced bull at Hopgood Charolais sale in Clermont

A first-time New South Wales stud buyer secured the top-priced bull at the 17th annual Hopgood Charolais sale in Clermont on Friday, September 5.

Mark and Sue Hopgood and family, of Hopgood Charolais, Goovigen, achieved a 100 per cent clearance at their annual Clermont sale, selling all 43 bulls for an average of $10,953.

In 2024, all 44 bulls sold for a top price of $18,000 and an average price of $9046.

It was Minnie Vale Charolais stud principals Jason and Sue Salier, Bexley, Narrabri, NSW, who outlaid $36,000 via AuctionsPlus to secure the sale topper, lot 5, Hopgood Underwraps.

Speaking to Queensland Country Life, Mr Sailer said he was pleased with their sire purchase, highlighting the bull's structural soundness, which aligned with their breeding goals.

"I just saw (Underwraps) only about three or four days ago, just on a video," Mr Sailer said.

"I've looked at a lot of bulls and other catalogues this season, and from what we're doing, I just love the structure of this bull, just his overall soundness, and he's just in that light red homozygous polled package."

The Saliers plan to use the bull to maintain their red factor program, servicing about 35 stud cows, mostly polled red factor and white breeders.

"I bought him basically to keep our red factor program going," Mr Sailer said.

Sired by Hopgood Lightning and out of Hopgood Reckon 66, the sire prospect tipped the scales at 906 kilograms and measured 43 centimetres in the scrotum.

He scanned 140 square centimetres for eye muscle area, 12mm and 9mm, respectively, for P8 and rib fats, and 5.8 for intramuscular fat percentage.

He had strong growth traits, ranking in the top 8pc for gestation length and the top 20pc for 600-day weight, mature weight, and carcase weight.

Three sires attracted the second top price money of $20,000 on Friday.

Hopgood Up and Coming was knocked down to repeat clients Shane and Trisha Benney, and their son Jonty, Bennigang Grazing, Clermont.

The 25-month-old was another son of Hopgood Lightning and out of Hopgood Passive 35.

Weighing 930kg and measuring 41cm in scrotal circumference, the sire scanned 147sq cm for EMA, 8mm and 7mm, respectively, at the P8 and rib, and 5.5pc for IMF.

Bennigang Grazing purchased two bulls in total at an average price of $15,500.

The Rickertt family, Curra Rural, Clermont, secured Hopgood Ultimate for $20,000.

Sired by Palgrove Pablo and out of Hopgood Diamond 30, the 24-month-old weighed 882kg and measured 41cm in scrotal circumference.

He scanned 141sq cm for EMA, 10mm and 7mm, respectively, at the P8 and rib, and 5.1pc for IMF.

The Purtora Family Trust of Purtora, Blackall, outlaid $20,000 via AuctionsPlus to secure lot 41, Hopgood Vincent.

The 19-month-old red factor bull was a Palgove Pablo son and weighed 708kg, scanned 135sq cm for EMA, 10mm and 7mm, respectively, at the P8 and rib, and 5.3pc for IMF.

Jim and Lyda Kelso, Charters Towers, put together the biggest draft, selecting eight bulls for an average of $6125, while Neverfail Cattle Company, Blackall, purchased five for an $11,600 average, and Mt Flora Cattle Company, Nebo, successfully bid on four for an $11,250 average.

• Agents: Elders and Kennedy Livestock, interfaced on AuctionsPlus.