Local buyers active at Tycolah bull sale, seeking volume and muscle traits

Despite cow numbers declining due to seasonal conditions, local buyers secured a number of bulls at the annual Tycolah Poll Hereford sale at Cobbadah on July 17.

Thirty-five of 38 bulls sold at auction to a top of $16,000 and an average of $8114.

Top-priced bull Tycolah Yabuzuka V143 sold to Bill and Deborah Plevey of Manilla, NSW.

By Supple Rat A Tat Tat and out of Tycolah Miss Moonbeam M069, the August 2024-drop bull weighed 992 kilograms and scanned 14 and 9 millimetres over the rump and rib, respectively, with 137 square centimetres eye muscle area and 5.9 per cent intramuscular fat.

Mr Plevey said the bull would suit his cow herd and he was impressed with its growth traits.

"He's well muscled and his weight and growth for age are very good," he said.

"He has a lot of growth left yet and we like to breed volume and weight at a young age."

Nutrien agent Howard Carter said the bull was impressive for his age.

"He's got growth, volume and a good temperament," he said.

Lisa Hannaford, daughter of the Crowleys, bred the bull and said she was happy with the sale result.

"I'm very happy with him and the turn out we saw today," she said.

"Dad and Ben have been working hard feeding stock as well as getting bulls ready so the result is pleasing."

The second highest price of the day was $14,000 for Tycolah Yazir V172, to repeat buyers Iventure Pastoral Company, Bundarra.

The September 2024-drop, 897kg bull had an estimated breeding value (EBV) of +5.4 for birth weight (BW) and +39 for 200-day growth, +70 for 400-day growth and +97 for 600-day growth.

A significant buyer was Charles Weyman-Jones, Roma, Qld, bidding on behalf of Birdsville's Brook Pastoral Company.

The operation, which supplies OBE Organic beef, bought 12 bulls, all at $6000.

Mr Weyman-Jones said the bulls' length and volume suited the operation.

"We're looking for bigger, longer bulls that breed bullocks for the OBE Beef program, which exports to 46 different countries," he said.

Other notable buyers included Pocupar Poll Herefords, Old Bonalbo, which bought three bulls to a top of $14,000 and an average of $10,000.

Farram Pty Limited bought two bulls, including Tycolah Yeoman V124 for $14,000 and Tycolah Yokel V044 for $12,000.

Bull Tycolah Yarran V032 sold for $12,000 to repeat buyer Culley family at Woodbine Park, NSW.

The 904kg, March 2024-drop bull had a scrotal circumference of 40cm and and scanned 124 square centimetres for eye muscle area.

Three bulls were also sold to online bidders.

The Cottage sold three bulls, included in the overall results, to an average of $8000.

Tycolah's Ben Crowley said the clearance was pleasing in a tougher season and he was very grateful for the local support.

"The local support in particular has been strong considering the cow numbers have been cut back," he said.

"The bulls look really good and we were very pleased to have local buyers here.

"We breed a distinct type and we won't sacrifice our phenotype for EBV's from a marketing point."

Two lots were sold after the sale.

Nutrien conducted the sale with guest auctioneer Paul Dooley, Tamworth. AuctionsPlus provided the online interface.