NSW studs secure top lot at Marellan sale, Alpha client buys 28pc of bulls
The annual Marellan Shorthorn 'Bred for Bos Indicus Cows Bull Sale' at Emerald Downs, Emerald, produced a two-state buyers panel and sustained solid demand from commercial and stud producers across a wide geographical area.
So strong was the support from commercial clients on Tuesday, September 30, that repeat buyer, Appleton Cattle Co, Alpha, secured 28 per cent of the offering.
Lincoln and Lisa Job and family, Marellan Shorthorns, Emerald saw a near full clearance at the on-property bull sale, with 52 of 55 bulls sold for a 94 per cent clearance, reaching a top price of $36,000 on the way to setting a $11,576 average.
In 2024, the Jobs sold 47 bulls for a 96pc clearance, $12,149 average, and top price of $24,000.
Sale topper at $36,000 was Marellan Asher purchased by a partnership between Neilson and Sue Job, Royalla Shorthorns, Yeoval, NSW, and Liz and Kim Williams, Polldale Shorthorns, Dubbo, NSW.
The underbidder was the Appletons from Alpha.
Speaking on behalf of the partnership, Mr Williams described their new bull as "a very complete animal" that immediately stood out due to his "tremendous fat cover" and balanced physical traits.
"(Marellan Asher) has the right maturity pattern for what we're both looking for, and we know his family line well. We believe he will breed exactly the way we want," Mr Williams said.
The Polldale operation currently calves down approximately 350 stud cattle and is based in Dubbo, NSW, with additional property holdings between Nyngan and Nevertire, NSW.
"It's hard to find a sire that can contribute to what you already have, but we think this bull will," Mr Williams said.
"You're always looking to add something extra to your cattle."
The 25-month-old sire prospect produced a sale weight of 788 kilograms.
He delivered muscle scans of 22mm and 12mm, respectively, for P8 and rib fat, 120 square centimetres for eye muscle area, and 6pc for intramuscular fat.
Sired by Warraberry Sensation S142, the homozygous polled Shorthorn bull ranked in the top 1pc for the breed for mature cow weight, top 5pc for IMF, fats, 600-day weight and yearling weight, top 10pc for carcase weight, and top 15pc for weaner weight.
The bull will initially join the Polldale herd for a brief joining before moving to Royalla, Yeoval.
Semen will be collected for artificial insemination purposes.
In the catalogue, the Jobs described Asher as exhibiting three supreme traits, "carcase, coverage, and constitution".
Marellan Shorthorns stud principal, Lincoln Job, said it was pleasing to see both returning and new buyers from more marginal country investing in their genetics on the day.
Bulls were sold as far north as Charters Towers, as far west as Longreach, and as far south as Forbes, NSW.
Long-term supporter, Fred Appleton, Appleton Cattle Co, Islay Plains, Alpha, outlaid $166,000 to secure 15 Shorthorn bulls for an average price of $11,066.
Khris Appleton trading as Strathmore Exports Pty Ltd, Clermont, purchased seven bulls at an average price of $7714.
The Knuth family of Saint Paul's Station, Charters Towers, picked up four bulls for an average price of $11,500.
Collinsville client, CM Cattle Company Pty Ltd, secured three bulls at an average price of $8666.
- Selling agents: H & W Livestock and Property
