Glenellerslie smashes sale record as high-yield sires boost bottom line

It was a record-breaking day at the 33rd Glenellerslie Hereford and Poll Hereford Bull Sale on Tuesday, February 10, with the previous high price of $22,000, set in 2022, being eclipsed by $3000.

In all, 27 lots were offered, with 19 of these selling to buyers from New South Wales and Victoria for a clearance rate of 70 per cent. Bulls that sold on the day averaged $8000 to gross $152,000, while the sale record was reset at $25,000.

These figures compared favourably to the 2025 result, where 32 bulls were offered, with 15 selling for a 47pc clearance, to average $7900 for a $118,500 gross, and a high of $15,000.

The Helmsman auction, conducted via AuctionsPlus and livestreamed from Glenellerslie stud principals Ross and Mandy Smith's property in Adelong, reached its peak mid-sale when the $25,000 winning bid on lot 18, Glenellerslie Yesteryear V080 was made by commercial operators Murray and Leanne Jones, Windcrest, Harden, NSW.

This 18-month-old horned 748kg sire prospect by Hylands Hi Class S413, out of Glenellerslie Doreen 146, has had an average daily weight gain of 1.31kg/day since January 16, 2026, with a 200-day weight in the top 20pc for the breed at +41, milk in the top 15pc at +24 and retail beef yield in the top 7pc, at +2.

Mr Smith said he was the quietest, best put-together bull they've likely offered at their sale.

"We bought Hi Class S413 a couple of years ago, and Yesteryear is the first bull we've offered by this sire. We have other bulls by this sire coming along, so we're hopeful for how they'll perform," he said.

Mr Jones said Yesteryear V080 caught his eye as he had the "figures to match his looks".

"He had good style and outlook. He'll fit in well with our other bulls," he said.

Mr Jones said they'd had bought two bulls from the Glenellerslie sale five years ago, which had gone on to perform well and produce good calves.

"The bull we bought today will be put in with our 240 Hereford breeders in November. We'll join him to a dozen of our spare cows for the time being."

While Hillcrest received 30mm the weekend before the sale, Mr Jones said conditions had been "a bit dry" on their undulating granite country.

It's for this reason that he has loved Herefords his entire life.

"They'll get you through a drought, and they have a good temperament, as well as doing and milking ability."

The next highest price paid was $14,000 for Glenellerslie Yard Boss V069 in lot 6, purchased by Ross Trethowan, Coorkardinia, NSW.

Mr Smith said the 21-month-old, 876kg son of Glenellerslie Unorthodox, out of Glenellerslie Daisy 208, was the best Unorthodox son that they've produced over the last couple of years.

"He's a big bull, that will sire some big cattle. Sons of Unorthodox topped our sale last year."

Yard Boss V069 measured in the top 2pc of the breed for 200 and 400-day weight at +50 and +87, respectively, and in the top 1pc for 600-day weight and mature cow weight at +130 and +118, respectively. He also measured in the top 1pc and top 3pc for carcase weight and retail beef yield at +87 and +2.4, respectively.

Mr Trethowan also won the bidding, at $10,000, on lot 30, Glenellerslie Young Gun. His two purchases on the day averaged $12,000.

The volume buyer for this year's sale was Tim Woodgate, Buchan, Vic, who bought lots 7-9 on a string at an average price of $6500.

Mr Smith was pleased with the result, saying "a lot of good clients looked after us again.

"After I looked through the sale sheets, I saw that everyone was a past buyer."

Breaking the lots down by Hereford and Polled Hereford, saw the Herefords come out on top, averaging $8833, while the Poll Herefords averaged $6571.

"We've been breeding Herefords for 50 years and Poll Herefords for about 20, so its just a case of most of our clients being Hereford breeders, hence the higher demand."

Mr Smith thanked all those who bid on the day, and is looking forward to hosting 34th annual sale in 2027.

The selling agents were Elders and AuctionsPlus.