Northern demand backs Coota Park's first Blue-E Santa Gertrudis bull sale
The combination of fertility, high growth and feed efficiency, coupled with tropical adaptability, drew strong support from northern buyers at the inaugural Coota Park Blue-E Santa Gertrudis composite bull sale, held online on April 24.
In total, the Woodstock-based stud sold 17 of 23 bulls, topping at $11,500 to average $6441.
Coota Park stud principal Jon Wright said he was pleased with the result, hosted by AuctionsPlus, given the sale marked a new concept for the operation.
"The Blue-E Santa Gertrudis composite bulls are a new addition to our breeding program, aimed at opening opportunities in the northern market," he said.
"These are the first group of Santa Gertrudis infused bulls we have offered, so we weren't quite sure how they would be received or how many bulls we would sell."
He said the composite comprised about 50 per cent Santa Gertrudis, 25pc Angus, 12.5pc Shorthorn and 12.5pc Simmental, combining the complementary traits of all four breeds.
The top-priced bull, Coota Park Blue-E V194, by Coota Park Blue-E T651, was bought by Duncan Ball, Dimby Downs, Quirindi.
The September 2024-drop homozygous black bull recorded expected progeny differences in the top 2pc for weaning weight and yearling weight, the top 23pc for birthweight as well as ranking in the top 9c for residual feed intake.
He was also in the top 1pc for rib eye area with a $Profit index in the top 17pc at $16,039.
Angus McGilvray, Womblebank Cattle Company, Mitchell, Qld, purchased the second top-priced bull, Coota Park Blue-E V152, sired via artificial insemination by Santa Gertrudis bull, Red Doc Fuego 1032, for $8000.
The August 2024-drop red bull is ranked in the top 9pc for weaning weight, the top 12pc for yearling weight and the top 6pc for residual feed intake, with the second highest $Profit index in the sale at $20,046.
Mr McGilvray also bought Lot 20 in the sale, Coota Park Blue-E V118, by leading United States Santa Gertrudis sire, QVF Jackpot 5369G8, for $6000.
Volume buyer on the day was Ben McGlynn who purchased 12 bulls for an average of $6000 on behalf of clients in Queensland and the Northern Territory.
Other buyers included EM Campbell and JS Campbell, Clarevale, Mitchell, Qld, and Michael Flemming, Carranya, Windorah, Qld.
Mr Wright believes the bulls offer strong potential for northern production systems.
"We've incorporated Santa Gertrudis genetics to deliver feed efficiency, improved meat quality, fertility and potential methane reduction, while maintaining adaptability to tropical conditions," he said.
"I think Coota Park is in a relatively unique position to bring these traits together for the northern market and we're excited about the future."
The sale was conducted online by AuctionsPlus, with Belvedere Livestock as the settling agents.
