Rain follows reward as Belview Brangus sale tops at $18,000 twice

Confidence in Brangus genetics was evident at the Belview Brangus annual bull sale at Myall Creek, NSW, on Friday, June 19, where a 100 per cent clearance was achieved and two bulls topped the offering at $18,000.

Competition came from a solid mix of returning and first-time buyers from northern and central west NSW and Queensland, with rain arriving at the fall of the hammer to cap off the day.

Across the catalogue, 44 rising two-year-old bulls sold to a sale top of $18,000 achieved twice and averaged $8190, while seven yearling bulls sold to $9000 to average $7430.

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Leading the sale at $18,000 on one of two occasions was first-time buyer Scott Grummitt, purchasing under SR Grummitt and EM Smy, Warwick, Queensland, who took home Belview Voice Of Reason V234, a homozygous polled son of Belview Spectrum S034 from a Belview Varino J144 female.

The 22-month-old weighed 770 kilograms, had an eye muscle area (EMA) of 124 centimetres and carried 13mm and 8mm of fat over the P8 and rib scan sites.

Mr Grummitt said he was searching for an easy-doing bull that had performed from an early age, combined softness, balanced figures and natural fat cover.

After discussing the offering with Belview stud principal Trevor Jorgensen and outlining the key traits he was targeting, Mr Jorgensen recommended Belview Voice Of Reason V234 along with some other bulls that met those requirements.

Mr Grummitt said once he inspected the bull, he knew Belview Voice Of Reason V234 was the one he needed for his operation.

Operating an organic farming enterprise at Augathella, Queensland, Mr Grummitt primarily runs Brangus cows with a focus on producing cattle that meet target kill weights for the organic market.

He said he was excited to see the first progeny by Belview Voice Of Reason V234 on the ground and evaluate the contribution the sire could make to the performance of the herd.

The second of the equal top-priced bulls was secured by an online buyer through StockLive for $18,000.

The 22-month-old weighed 706 kilograms, had an eye muscle area (EMA) of 116 centimetres and carried 10mm and 6mm of fat over the P8 and rib scan sites.

Online bidding remained active throughout the sale, with the volume buyer Top X, Cloncurry, Qld, purchasing eight bulls through StockLive to top at $7000 on two occasions and average $6250.

The on-site volume buyer was Ram Station, Dungog, NSW, purchasing a total of six bulls to top $9000 four times to average $8166.

New buyer Sam Maroulis, Nunyard Pty Ltd, Dubbo, NSW, secured four bulls to top at $7000 on two occasions and averaged $6500.

Having known the family through work, Mr Maroulis said he was keen to do business with good people and valued the strong personal and business relationship established with Belview Brangus.

When selecting bulls, Mr Maroulis was targeting genetics capable of consistently producing black calves from his commercial herd of mixed-breed cows, with structural soundness and strong EBVs among his key selection criteria.

Mr Maroulis said the trip from Dubbo was definitely worthwhile.

Closing the sale, stud principal Colleen Jorgensen thanked everyone for their support over the years and acknowledged the friendships formed along the way.

Mrs Jorgensen also extended her best wishes to daughter Emily Roberts and husband Nathan as they take over the Belview Brangus stud, saying she looked forward to supporting the next generation and helping where needed while allowing them to make the operation their own.

Mrs Emily Roberts said she was delighted with the 100 per cent clearance and the strong support shown by both returning and first-time buyers.

She thanked repeat clients for their loyalty to the Belview Brangus program over many years and acknowledged the confidence shown by new buyers.

"To our repeat buyers, thank you for your continued support and to our new buyers, thank you for entrusting our program and supporting Belview Brangus," Mrs Roberts said.

Mrs Roberts thanked new buyers for the confidence they placed in the Belview Brangus program.

Mrs Roberts said it was pleasing to see buyers represented across central and northern NSW and Queensland and believed purchasers had secured quality genetics offering strong value for money.

The sale was conducted on-property at Myall Creek by APL Tenterfield, with auctioneer Blake O'Reill, APL Guyra & Armidale taking bids alongside online competition through StockLive.