Rayleigh Poll Hereford swansong sale highlighted by generational client support
Bittersweet emotions flooded Jeff and Robyn Holcombe as they bid farewell to the seedstock cattle game with their 17th and final Rayleigh Poll Hereford bull sale on-property at Kombali, Narrabri, on Friday, July 10.
The pair said they were "humbled" by the strong support shown by their clients on the day, but that it had been hard to say goodbye to what has been one of their greatest lifelong joys: breeding Poll Hereford cattle.
The support for the Holcombes was evident from the first lot to the last, which led to a total clearance of the 23 bulls offered on the day, resulting in an average price paid of $13,179, to top at $26,000. The average was an increase of $3487 per head on what was paid at the 2025 sale.
"Our clients saw the bulls in the pens and were ready to have a red hot go. The result highlighted the highly consistent line-up of bulls we catalogued for this year's sale," Mrs Holcombe said.
The Rayleigh stud, which was established in 1957, has attracted strong generational support from clients since that time. This was evidenced by two lots being secured by families that have been sourcing Rayleigh genetics for about seven decades.
"The majority of the bulls stayed in the north-west, though a buyer from Toowoomba in Queensland, did pick up a bull."
The homozygous polled Rayleigh Valedictorian claimed top price honours on the day in lot 7. He was purchased by Gisela and Wilfred Steiner, Coonamble, for $26,000.
Mrs Holcombe said Valedictorian was the first son by Rayleigh Terrance T22 that they have offered. Terrance T22 sold for $30,000 at the Rayleigh Poll Hereford Complete Female Dispersal sale in September, 2025.
The Steiners, based 54km north-east of Coonamble, run a mixed breed program, which is predominantly Poll Hereford, with Charolais and Angus to increase the hybrid vigour of their commercial herd.
Mrs Steiner said they were drawn to Valedictorian as he was the youngest bull catalogued for the sale and weighed 908kg.
"We think he still has a bit more growing to do, he has impressive phenotype," she said.
"He's structurally sound, walked and presented well, and has that nice, dark Poll Hereford colouring.
"We believe he'll produce a nice female for us in the future."
The Steiner family has been long-term clients of the Holcombes, buying bulls since the 1970s, relying on a quite temperament for easy management.
"They have good fertility and are easy-doing types, which don't break down in our environment. They're adaptable," Mrs Steiner said.
"We get especially good carcase traits in the Poll Hereford/Charolais."
She said the entire Holcombe family had been a pleasure to work with over the years.
"They have always been very accommodating and answer all of our questions," Mrs Steiner said.
"We trust their opinion on their bulls, as we know they put 110 per cent effort into their program and the bulls they produce.
Valedictorian was one of three bulls the Steiner family took home, at an average of $21,333.
Also purchasing three bulls on the day were the Carberry family, Narrabri, and Steve and Sandra Sykes, Moree, the lots they took home averaged $10,667 and $11,667, respectively.
While it was sad to say goodbye to what has been a lifetime's work, the Holcombes said it had been a "terrific journey".
"As we close the door on Rayleigh Poll Herefords, we look back with enormous pride on the journey we've shared over the past 69 years," Mr Holcombe said.
"We are incredibly proud to see our Rayleigh genetics continue on in herds across the country, beginning a new chapter of breeding in their new homes.
"We are looking forward to slowing down and spending more time with family and friends, while helping our children with their farming businesses."
