Amos-Vale Herefords proves commercial relevance as repeat buyers and new faces bid up

Repeat buyers and new faces vied for horned Hereford genetics with commercial sensibility at the 42nd annual Amos-Vale Herefords bull sale.

The Pinkett stud, via Glen Innes, offered 27 sires in this 59th year of stud breeding on property at Brooklington, selling 26 to a top of $27,000 twice to average $14,307.

Double top-priced buyer Denise Hartwig, Glandore, Camboon via Monto, Qld, said she picked out her preferences and was determined to "run them up".

Her first successful bid secured Amos Vale Michigan V111, by a son of Newcomen Paris in Amos Vale Jamaica S018 from a daughter of Talbalba Black Heart L172.

This phenotypically attractive, 23-month-old sire tipped the scales at 844 kilograms with a 36 centimetre scrotal circumference and 93 per cent semen morphology.

Michigan V111's estimated breeding values showed positive growth and milk, including +56 kilograms at 400 days and +83kg at 600 days and +3.6 for eye muscle area.

Ms Hartwig's second stab at a $27,000 top price went to the heaviest bull of the draft, Amos Vale Medcalfe V116, by a son of Mawarra Glory in Amos Vale Jetstar S003 from a daughter of Talbalba Storm J224.

At 23 months he weighed 950kg, with 42cm scrotal and 88pc morphology, presenting with EBVs including +60kg at 400 days and +89kg at 600 days, +15 for milk and +3.2 for EMA.

"We are looking for bulls with strength of spine, depth and capacity that are soft with good temperament," said Ms Hartwig, who attended the sale with her daughter Nicole Coombes and her young family, who help work the beef enterprise.

The pair of Hereford bulls will be put to composite cows with Simmental, Charolais and Santa Gertrudis blood. Weaner steers off their mothers typically sell on property through AuctionsPlus. Heifers are retained for breeding.

Their black speargrass country backing onto forest has struggled this summer with one decent shower of rain carrying them through.

"Conditions are patchy right through Central Queensland," Ms Hartwig said.

Long-time repeat buyer Robert Reid, Howlong, Vic, returned for yet another sire to help serve his horned Hereford herd of 550 cows, living through a "magic season".

About to turn 80 and looking a decade younger, Mr Reid successfully bid on Amos Vale Morocco V028, by Yarram Raffle R143 from a much-revered daughter of Hylands Baker in Amos Vale Favourite 280 P038.

Amos-Vale Herefords bull sale, July 23, 2026

Weighing 886kg at 23 months, he presented with a 40cm scrotal diameter and 90pc morphology.

Mr Reid, who is helped by his son Scott and grandson Marcus, will put this bull and a prior Amos-Vale purchase to Hereford heifers, prepared on rye grass and sub clover.

This year's crop of yearling steers, from similar blood, 14-15 months, are hitting the scales at 450 to 500kg with feedlot offers of 580c/kg not uncommon.

Repeat client Jolly Coward, Wirrialpa at Hernani, paid $20,000 for another Raffle son, from the stud's Favourite, 890kg at 23 months with a 41cm scrotal and 89pc morphology.

Volume buyer and repeat client Greg Gallagher, Red Range, bought five bulls to average $11,600 and top at $23,000 for Amos Vale Manikato V030 by Yarram Raffle from a daughter of Devon Court Eclipse in Amos Vale Pansy 185 P034, 846kg with a 41cm scrotal and 89pc morphology.

Mr Gallagher grows out his Hereford progeny to bullocks, tipping them into a grass-finished program through Teys.

Selling agent Brian Kennedy, Elders Stud Stock, said the commercially-relevant draft of bulls appealed to good commercial operators.

"The sale got dearer as it went and the bulls looked in excellent condition considering the drought conditions earlier in the year," he said.

The sale was hosted by Elders Glen Innes with Colin Say and Co, while AuctionsPlus handled the online bidding.