Yavenvale Poll Herefords to five states with carcase traits in demand
Bulls with carcase traits and cutting-edge genetics were in demand at the 27th annual Yavenvale Poll Herefords sale at Adelong on February 18, with good support from new and existing buyers across NSW, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, and Queensland.
The Pearce family offered 120 bulls and sold 91 to a $56,000 top and $9670 average. A further seven bulls afterwards.
The sale's top price bull came early on, with Yavenvale VIP V365 selling to repeat clients Andrew and Annie Bell, Red Gum Herefords, Millicent, SA.
By the New Zealand sire Matariki Nautical, the July-2024 drop was homozygous polled and considered by Yavenvale to have the best overall estimated breeding value profile offered.
The young sire ranked in the top one per cent for eye muscle area (EMA), top 2pc for milk, top 3pc for scrotal size and rump fat, top 4pc for intramuscular fat (IMF) and 600-day weight, top 5pc for 400-day weight, and top 7pc for calving ease.
The bull also has a Sustainability Index of +$277 and MSA Production Index of +$276.
Yavenvale retained semen for within herd use and Red Gum Herefords plan to have semen for sale.
Taking home a total of 12 bulls, Mr Bell was looking for low birthweight, high-growth bulls with strong carcase data and indexes over +$200.
He was impressed with VIP's balanced figures.
Red Gum Herefords supply around 1000 steers and surplus heifers a year to Princess Royal Feedlot, Burra, SA, for 120-day grain fed programs at an entry weight of at least 480 kilograms. Grassfed steers are also sold over the hooks to Coles Graze.
The second top price of $24,000 was paid by repeat clients and commercial producers Will and Sandra Weston, Tewallewah Pastoral, Harden, for Yavenvale Variable V500.
The homozygous polled son of Matariki Nautical ranked top 1pc for EMA, 200-, 400- and 600-day weights, top 3pc for milk and IMF, and top 6pc for scrotal size. The young sire also had a Sustainability Index of +$217 and MSA Production Index of +$200.
The Westons also paid $12,000 for Yavenvale Velocity V906.
Mr Weston said the young sire would inject growth and marbling in the couple's 500 head autumn and spring calving herd.
He said the Yavenvale genetics performed well on both grass and grain, with the family supplying both Teys grass fed brands and feeder steer markets.
The sale also featured the first sons to sell in Australia of Koanui Milton S420 (NZ), with Ross Triffett, Ouse, Tas, securing the highest priced Milton son, Yavenvale Visa V639 (PP) for $15,000.
Other notable purchases included Ivan and Amanda Burcher, Binara Poll Herefords, Goondiwindi, Qld, paying $14,000 for Yavenvale Vision V231; Josh Eats, Coleraine, Vic, paying $13,000 for Yavenvale Venom V074; Tom Honner, Minlacowie Poll Herefords, Brentwood, SA, outlaid $13,000 for Yavenvale Voltage V954; and Brayrook Pastoral, Butchers Ridge, Vic, bought Yavenvale Vermont V156 for $13,000.
Scott Lewington, Kymarney Herefords, Uranquinty, paying $12,000 for Yavenvale Victor V474; Bev Reece, Whregarwen, Vic, paid $12,000 for Yavenvale Vantage V732; Simon and Sonya Lawlor, Omeo, Vic, paid to $11,000 for three bulls; Tom Lewis, Cooma, took home Yavenvale Verification V259 for $11,000, Craig Lloyd, Omeo, Vic, paid $10,000 for Yavenvale Vaboom V363; and Peter Smith, Omeo, bought Yavenvale Viking V374 for $10,000.
Yavenvale co-principal James Pearce welcomed the fact commercial producers were prepared to pay up to $24,000 for bulls despite seasonal challenges.
Mr Pearce said there was a clear demand for dual purpose bulls with high EMA and IMF.
"We are continuing to try new genetics from all over the world and the favourable reception of those genetics gives me confidence we are on the right track," he said.
"Our aim is to keep presenting big, even drafts of bulls that are structurally sound and with those commercial attributes we strive for."
Auctioneer Brian Leslie was pleased with a higher clearance and average than the 2024 autumn sale, underpinned by strong commercial demand.
Duty agents were Ray White Rural Albury and the sale was interfaced with AuctionsPlus.
