New player pays top price for Oak Downs son at Wilkah Herefords bull sale

A new client paid the top price of $9000 at this year's Wilkah Hereford bull sale at Vasey.

Garry Anthony, Ponderosa Herefords, Meeniyan, bought Wilkah Surgeon V038 in a sale that had a 58 per cent clearance with 11 of the 19 bulls sold for an average of $6100.

The two-year-old bull is by Oak Downs Surgeon S261 and out of Wilkah Josphine R051.

Mr Anthony attended the stud's Stock & Land Beef Week open day in February and decided to go back for the on-property sale.

Wilkah Surgeon V038 caught his eye because he was "just a handy looking bull".

Mr Anthony said he expected the bull to go for a higher price so he was especially pleased with his purchase.

"A lot of blokes go for figures but I chuck them out the window; I like to see what I'm getting," he said.

He said he consulted with the agents about the bull for another perspective and heard only good things.

"They see things a bit differently and see traits that I might miss," he said.

The bull's carcase frame stood out for him as did his weight for age and temperament.

Wilkah Surgeon V038's sound foot structure helped seal the deal with Mr Anthony saying it was a critical trait needed for his land type and conditions.

Ponderosa Herefords joins about 600 cows and heifers in spring.

Mr Anthony said the bull won't be put to work until November so he would have plenty of time to get used to his new surroundings.

He said even though the property had missed out on recent rains, the place had "greened up a bit", which should help see it through autumn and winter.

He paid credit to the overall line of bulls in the sale and their potential for longevity.

"As a breeder, we need to be breeding good functional cattle," he said.

"That's what the industry needs - good reliable cattle."

Last year's sale saw 12 of 20 bulls sold to a top price of $10,000 and average of $6450.

The sale attracted new clients this year, including some locally from Hamilton and Casterton, and from South Australia.

Wilkah Herefords stud principal Andrew Lyons said the sale went well, especially considering the tough conditions some of the regular clients were facing due to a lack of water.

"We're hoping the rain in the past 24 hours will help," Mr Lyons said.

Buyers of the 2025 sale's top-priced bull, Ruth and John Toleman, Gringegalgona, bought the second top bull this year, Lot 11, Wilkah Surgeon V015, for $7500.

The bull was also by Oak Downs Surgeon S261 but out of Wilkah Joy S052.

Kevin Fitzgerald, Coleraine, was the volume buyer, purchasing two bulls, Lot 2, Wilkah Queenstown V054, for $5500 and Lot 12, Wilkah Queenstown V068, for $5000.

"He was after cattle that were deep in the body, good colour and cattle that weighed," Mr Lyons said.

Nutrien agent Nicholas Farley, Bendigo, said it was a solid sale even though some in the area were feeling the pinch as water levels dropped.

Mr Farley said the draft was a very even line with particular interest in the Oaks Down progeny, a line the Lyons family bought into in 2023.

"It was probably the most even line of cattle he's produced," he said.

"If you're going to Andrew's sale, you're chasing heavy-boned cattle."

He said this gave commercial breeders the option to carry calves through to bullocks if needed.

Wilkah Herefords is a family affair with Mr Lyons' wife Angela and children William and Kaylah heavily involved in all aspects.

Having completed the sale, the family now shifts its focus onto its sheep flock.

In fact, the lead-up to the sale was anything but calm with Mr Lyons deeply involved as president of the Hamilton Campdraft which took place the weekend prior to the sale.

"You've got to keep the wheels going," he said.

With free delivery within a 100-kilometre radius included for buyers, Mr Lyons will deliver the bulls personally in the next few weeks.

He said it gave him a good opportunity to catch up with buyers and see where the bulls will be used, or the herds produced by repeat buyers.