Goonoo Red Angus Red Reflections sale brings breed together in tough season
Genetic excellence and breed resilience were top on the shopping list for Goonoo Red Angus' Red Reflections sale, held at Tamworth Regional Livestock Exchange on Saturday, May 2.
Interstate buyers made the most of a challenging season across the state's north and across the New England, drawing competitive bids from northern producers to secure the top priced cow and calf, and bull.
Stephen Hayward, K5X Angus, Allora, Qld purchased Goonoo Red Twilight T16 and her bull calf for the top price on the day, reaching $8000. Typically providing sires to Goonoo, Mr Hayward said the time was right to bring back breeding stock to Allora.
"I just liked her confirmation and the bone and the strong head and jaw," Mr Hayward said.
"She had a good bull calf with her."
By Goondoola Latitude L25 out of Goonoo Red Milgate JSJM25, Goonoo Red Twilight T16 was accompanied by a December-drop bull calf, and had been depastured with her bull's sire until sale day.
The August 2022-drop cow recorded an estimated breeding values (EBVs) of +65 for 600 day weight, and +1.9 for eye muscle area.
The cow would join the 60-strong Red Angus breeding herd at K5X Angus, though Mr Hayward said time would tell as to whether the bull calf would join the stud, or be sold on.
Mr Hayward also purchased lot 1, Goonoo Red Quick Q5, by Red BVR Rab-Star 56C out of Goonoo Little Cassie GSJL9, for $5000.
The entire buying gallery was composed of stud breeders, with a mix of return clients joining first-time buyers, nearly all from Queensland.
Of the bulls sold, both were quickly purchased for $6000, headed to two vastly different pastures.
Goonoo Van V23, by K5X Significant S117 and from Goonoo Red Quera, sold to Phil and Linda Matthews, Pledge Red Angus, Haly Creek, Qld.
The 810kg, September 2024-drop bull was described by the vendor as holding "pretty impressive breedplan figures", with rump and rib measurements of 13mm and 8mm, respectively, an EMA of +2.4 sq cm and a 600 day weight of +64.
Mrs Matthews said they had purchased Goonoo cattle in the past and were looking for a young replacement bull.
"This bull had everything going for him," Mrs Matthews said.
"A slick coat for up here with the heat, some very good breeding behind him as well and structurally sound and perfect.
"He continues on in the style of what we like in our cattle."
Two "three-in-one packages" of heifers back in calf with calf at foot would also be going home with Pledge Red Angus.
By Goonoo Red Tommy and from Goonoo Red Quick, Goonoo Volvo V19 sold for the same price via Ray White Dorrigo.
The 882kg, August-2024 drop bull had rump and rib measurements of 11mm and 8mm, a scrotal circumfrence of 41cm and an EMA of +1.6 for 128 sq cm.
At the fall of the hammer, 12 of 31 lots sold to average $5583, including 10 of 17 cows, and two of nine bulls.
Stud principal Graham Jordan said he expected the bull-selling season would be "very tough" for producers battling a "terrible" season, but still held onto hope for key genetics to shine through.
"So many cows have been slaughtered in the last couple of months, they won't have a need for a bull," Mr Jordan said.
"Optimistically, I think cows and calves will be worth their weight in gold, if there's a season break in the spring."
The sale was conducted by Elders Tamworth with auctioneer Paul Dooley, interfaced online with StockLive.
