Wongawilli Poll Herefords fetches record top price from new NSW stud buyer

Stud and commercial support underpinned a solid result at the annual Wongawilli Poll Hereford bull sale, headlined by a record top price.

Of the 17 bulls offered by the Keilira-based stud, nine sold to a top of $39,000 and averaged $10,333.

The $39,000 record bull was lot 4 Wongawilli Virat, by Wirruna Quambone Q135 from Wongawilli Duchess N033, and was secured by Yavenvale Herefords, Adelong, NSW.

The March 2024-drop bull impressed with a balanced estimated breeding value profile, highlighted by an intramuscular fat figure in the top one per cent of the breed at 2.6, while his growth figures ranked in the top 2-6pc.

The bull carried EBVs of 39 for 200-day growth, 67 for 400-day growth and 100 for 600-day growth, and 67 for carcase weight, combined with a 5 eye muscle area and a .7 fat cover, reinforcing his all-round performance and carcase credentials.

Yavenvale Herefords' James Pearce, Adelong, NSW, said the bull ticked all the boxes.

"He's got the EBV profile that we strive for," Mr Pearce said.

"So he's very good across the board, and that balanced trait selection is paramount for us, probably highlighted by his IMF, which is top 1pc of the breed.

"He's very complete across the board."

Mr Pearce said the stud runs well over 1000 registered females and the bull would be used across both autumn and spring-calving programs.

"It's good to see such a good bull come from a herd that might not have the profile of some of the others around," he said.

"It shows there's a bit of depth in the Hereford genetic base and they're obviously heading in the right direction with bulls like this."

Wongawilli stud principal Nathan Clarke said the result was pleasing.

"Good average, but it would have been nice to clear a few more," he said.

Mr Clarke said the top price was a record for the stud and the bull had been consistently admired for his phenotype and performance data.

"He's pretty correct on paper and in life he was put together quite well," he said.

"He had some outstanding figures and his sire has been doing a consistent job for us over the last three or four years."

Repeat buyer Whitty Pastoral, Furner, purchased two lots to average $6500.

Mr Clarke said ongoing support from returning clients was encouraging.

"It means you're turning out a product they're happy with," he said.

"They've been returning clients for several years now."

O'Connor and Graney livestock agent Bryn Weaver said the sale reflected the stud's continued genetic progress.

"Overall it went very well," he said.

"The figures on the top bull were outstanding and that's what the studs were chasing.

"They're definitely getting the right genetics for the type of bulls they're buying out of other studs and they're moving in the right direction.

"You can see over the last couple of years they're getting a bit of recognition for it."

The sale was conducted with O'Connor and Graney as the supporting agent.