Trojon Viper sets buyers' pulses racing at Naracoorte Shorthorn bull sale

A nearly 1000 kilometre journey has paid off for NSW Shorthorn breeder Trent Johnstone, achieving the $36,000 sale high at the Naracoorte multi-vendor bull sale.

Mr Johnstone says he identified Trojon Viper V36, as a stud sire prospect many months ago and earmarked him as their sole entry for the SA sale held at the Pathfinder sale complex.

One of the youngest lots in the catalogue, the 18 month old which was sold as lot 7 weighed 798 kilograms.

"I was losing bidder on his sire (Outback Sprys Solar) a few years ago when his sire made $36,000 and then I bought some semen in him," he said.

"I am actually going to try and get some semen in this bull since his mother has bred so well for me over the years and I have a full sister in my herd in production doing an excellent job.

"I just want more of these type of industry focused cattle."

Mr Johnstone says it is a big thrill to top the Naracoorte sale for the first time.

He supports the sale. which has been running for more than 70 years. because of the "good cattle and good selling complex".

It also "helps with cashflow" .being held at a different time of the year to their Northern Exposure sale in Taroom,Qld

"We have our own sale but I will always keep coming here to Naracoorte to make sure it keeps going," he said.

Viper V36's buyer was Ken Tippett and his daughter Hannah Macartney, Tippett's Glengyron stud, Newlyn, Vic, who have bought many high priced bulls from SA in recent years.

It has paid off with one of their bulls topping the Dubbo Shorthorn National Show & Sale last year.

Ms Macartney said Viper had a "lot of presence and sire appeal"

"He has a lot of presence and sire appeal and we are confident he will breed us some good bulls and cows," Ms Macartney said.

In a far cry from last year's result the sale average nearly doubled to $14,080 and 10 more bulls were sold.

Overall 25 bulls sold from 29 offered by six SA, Vic and NSW studs.

In comparison in 2025, 15 of 30 bulls found homes for a $7800 average.

The second highest priced lot at $26,000 was lot 3, Caskieben Special V82, offered by the Williamson family, Carisbrook, Vic.

After an outstanding bull sale the previous day at the Naracoorte sale complex, the Thompson family, Bayview stud, Yorketown, were the successful bidders on the son of Sprys Extra Special N61.

TheJune 2024 drop which weighed 846kg was backed by some strong EPDs including ranking in the top 10 per cent for weaning weight and stayability (longevity in the herd).

For the second year in a row, Caskieben easily topped the stud averages with their nine bulls averaging $16,777.

Despite these strong stud sales it was the commercial buyers, many who have stuck with the breed for generations, which ensured such a great result.

There were 33 registered bidders in the gallery from WA, Vic, NSW and SA plus more on AuctionsPlus.

Nutrien Jamestown's Tom Allen and Grace Teate continued their buying spree, securing eight bulls for Cowarie Pastoral Co via Marree for a $8750 average,

These were in addition to the five bought the previous day at Bayview's sale.

In the stud breakdowns, the Brook family, Eloora stud, Bulart, Vic, sold all seven bulls to a $16,000 high twice and averaged $14,000, while Peter Mills, Wynyard stud, Northwood, Vic, sold all four bulls to a $13,000 high and averaged $9250.

First time Naracoorte vendor, Gary Andrew, Migz Shorthorns, Earlston, Vic, sold his two bulls for $8000 and $10,000.

The sale's only SA vendors Matt and Toni Ashby, Bundaleer stud, Gulnare, had a tougher day selling two of their six bulls at $6000 each.

In the past few years, bull entries have dwindled at Naracoorte so to add to the catalogue's appeal the vendors introduced some commercial heifers for sale.

Two pens of five Shorthorn-Angus PTIC heifers from Trojon sold particularly well topping at $3000. These 10 heifers are due to calve in August.

Mr Johnstone- who is a Shorthorn Beef director - is confident the breed will continue to make inroads in the beef industry which is on the up and up.

He said they are "the right cattle that crossbreed so well with every other breed" and have proven their weight gains and feedlot performance.

" I feed a lot of cattle as well with some feed space in Qld and I am trying to buy as many Shorthorns as I can because I see the kill sheets , I had a pen of cattle up there 230 and they averaged 2.3kg /day.(weight gain) and they were pure Shorthorns," he said.

Elders southern livestock sales manager and auctioneer Laryn Gogel said it was a very good draft of bulls which buyers were willing to pay up for.

He said the industry was looking strong for the next three to five years which was adding to confidence.

"What I like most about the industry at the moment is there are opportunities for cattle not to be discounted for coat colour, instead producers are being paid on carcase quality," he said.

"The buyers here today know it is all about kilograms of red meat and getting cattle to grade so if you have the right article you will be rewarded accordingly."

Elders and Nutrien were joint selling agents.