Mountain Valley achieves record result with buyers across four states
Loyal clients and strong bidding helped set a record on-farm average for Herefords at the annual Mountain Valley Poll Hereford and Angus sale at Coolatai, on Wednesday July 15.
The 81 bulls sold to buyers across four states including Queensland, NSW, Victoria and Tasmania .
The sale had strong local support in the stands with a number of online buyers as well..
There was a full clearance across both breeds, with all 36 Poll Herefords selling to $28,000, averaging $16,000 and 41 Angus reaching $20,000 for an average $11,853.
The Hereford average was well up on last year's average of $12,350.
All up, the 81 lots averaged $13,625.
Mawarra Genetics, Longford, Victoria, took home the top lot in Mountain Valley Volunteer V134, by Quamby Plains Quantum Q506 and from Mountain Valley Mayflower Q011.
The August 2024-drop bull weighed 880 kilograms and scanned 6.7 per cent intramuscular fat, 127 square centimetres eye muscle area, 20 millimetres and 12mm over the rump and rib, respectively, with a 37cm scrotal circumference.
The bull was also in the top 5 per cent for all estimated breeding value (EBV) growth traits, top 10pc for milk at +25 and eye muscle area at +6.8.
Buyer Peter Sykes said the bull stood out for his structure and was an outcross pedigree, which they were looking for.
"I loved the style and structure of the bull and he has plenty of volume and muscle," Mr Sykes said.
"He has beautiful head, eye and skin and has the natural lift and structure I like and he has a strong set of EBVs.
"He'll fit really well into our operation - we've got some Ultra Star (Mawarra Ultra Star) daughters he'll go well over. Should be a perfect mix."
The second top-priced Hereford at $26,000 was Mountain Valley Vavoom V161, purchased by Karoonda Herefords, Victoria.
Also by Quantum Q506 and out of Mountain Valley Matchless P342, the 808kg, September 2024-drop ranked in the top 10pc for 400 and 600-day growth rates.
Another notable sale in the Hereford run included Mountain Valley Vegemite V115, which sold for $24,000 to the Eddie family of Roma, Qld.
TooBrack Grazing Company, Longreach, Qld, bought four Hereford bulls to a top of $14,000 and an average of $12,500.
The top-priced Angus sold to Ian Darmody, Burbong Angus, Bungendore.
Mr Darmody has been a repeat buyer with his latest acquisition, Mountain Valley Sensation V366, bought for $20,000.
The July 2024-drop, 994kg bull was by Banquet Sensation S005 and from Mountain Valley Eva Q999.
It was in the top 1pc for docility and feed efficiency.
The second top-priced Angus at $18,000 was Mountain Valley Precidence V447, by Peakes Bowen Precidence Q760 and from Kidman X-Clusive M48.
He sold to Moss Rose at Inverell.
Nutrien Dubbo agent John Settree said the draft of bulls was impressive.
"Overall a very, very good draft of bulls in both breeds and I think the passion and commitment that Ian and Shelley Durkin put into their cattle was reflected today," he said.
"It's obviously an indication of the strong presentation of the bulls, the genetic investment that has been put in to these cattle along with better season conditions and a really strong and buoyant cattle market."
Inverell AWN Squires agent Terry Pyne shared Mr Settree's sentiments.
"It was a line of very even, well grown bulls with sires that have performed well in the past," he said.
"Outstanding quality given the conditions."
Mountain Valley's Ian Durkin said he was humbled by 100pc clearance and the loyalty of return buyers.
"We've been breeding for 40 years, battling away," he said,
"Mum and Dad started this and it's all I've ever wanted to do.
"In 2017 during the drought we sent cattle to Longreach and had cattle on five properties across Tasmania and we've finally built back up.
"To see the conditions heading into the sale, you sit back and worry, especially when inquiry was pretty quiet. So to see people turn up and step into the bulls like they did, it validates your hard work."
Three Angus heifers were also sold, to a top of $10,000 for an average of $9333.
Nutrien and AWN Squires conducted the sale with guest auctioneer Paul Dooley, Tamworth. AuctionsPlus provided the online interface.
