'A blessing': Brewer Beef bags strong sale result after devastating bushfires

A north-east Black Simmental, Sim Angus and Angus stud has secured a strong bull sale result after being hit with devastating bushfires in January.

Brewer Beef stud principals David and Tara Brewer, Tallangatta Valley, held their on-property bull sale on Friday, with an 85 per cent clearance secured.

The stud's annual bull sale was postponed due to the bushfires, which left not a "blade of grass" on their property.

Ms Brewer said the couple were very grateful for the ongoing support of their client base, with many of those who bought bulls on Friday having donated hay in recent months.

She said the stud wouldn't survive without their clients' faith in their program.

Overall, Brewer Beef sold 35 from the 40 bulls they offered for an average of $6286 and to the top of $9000.

"We're very happy with the clearance given today's climate," Ms Brewer said.

She said of the 35 bulls sold, approximately 20 went to Gippsland, a few went local, three to Echuca and two to Colac.

The top-priced bull, Lot 19, Brewer Beef Momentus V43, was picked up by Wellington Livestock agent Jake Abrahall for client Bruce Herbert, Dargo.

Mr Abrahall picked up a total of three bulls at the sale, including Lot 5 and Lot 20, and has been using the Brewer Beef genetics for three years.

The cattle producer runs 150 Sim Angus breeders and sells calves as weaners or into the feedlot.

Mr Abrahall said he and Mr Herbert had been impressed with the "growth and stretch" of the Brewer Beef cattle.

"It's the performance of the calves and their weaning weight," he said.

He said the top-priced bull had excellent structure, particularly when lined up against other bulls.

The August 2024-drop bull was sired by Kenny's Creek Momentus R123 and out of Sylvandale Dream Wilcoola N109.

The sale-topper recorded International Genetic Solutions evaluation birth weight figures of -1 kilograms, carcase weight of +30.6kg, milk of +22.4kg and marbling of +0.49pc.

Ms Brewer said the bull was a stand-out as a calf and son Henry had picked him out early in the bull draft.

"Buyers were chasing that softer Sim Angus bull today," she said.

She said Lot 19 would breed calves with excellent fat cover and moderate frames.

She said the Sim Angus cattle were gaining in popularity and more commercial cattle breeders were chasing them for their hybrid traits.

"They're looking for that little shot of growth and that weight for age," she said.

The Brewer family was relieved to have the bull sale behind them, and planned to continue their bushfire recovery over the coming months.

Ms Brewer said fellow farmers, bull clients and Blaze Aid had supported them since the fires, and that Friday's sale result was a "blessing".

Fortunately, their property had received 120 millimetres of rain in recent weeks.

"The grass is starting to kick away again up the top [of the hills]," she said.

The family purchased a record-priced Black Simmental bull at the Woonallee Simmental stud, Furner, SA, for $70,000 last month.

Ms Brewer said the bull had already paid for himself through semen sales to New Zealand and Canada.

"It's taken the pressure off," she said.

She said Brewer Beef would sell the top bull's first progeny at its autumn 2028 on-property sale, all going well.