Victorian finisher secures top-priced Charolais bull at Minnie-Vale sale
Strong support from both new and returning clients underpinned the success of the Salier family's 23rd annual Minnie-Vale on-property sale at Narrabri on July 30, with Charolais bulls selling to a top of $20,000.
The stud recorded a full clearance, with all 40 bulls offered selling for an average of $10,925.
Minnie-Vale principals Jason and Susan Salier were pleased with the result and the widespread buying support, with bulls finding new homes from as far north as Emerald, Queensland, down to north-east Victoria.
Mr Salier said the full clearance and strong average were particularly pleasing given a number of local clients had not operated, due to the widespread cow sell-off through March, April and May as a result of the dry seasonal conditions.
"It was really encouraging to see buyers from other areas, both new and repeat, coming to fill that gap," he said.
"Having bulls head both north into Queensland and south into Victoria was a real positive and shows the confidence producers have in our genetics."
The top-priced bull, lot 24 in the sale catalogue, Minnie-Vale Volute V164E, sold for $20,000 to first time buyers, Alloa Pastoral Company, Milawa, Vic, operating through Corcoran Parker.
The 802-kilogram, 20-month-old bull, sired by Rosedale Raphael MR R90E and out of Minnie-Vale Marilyn L67E, ranked in the top 30 per cent of the Charolais Breedplan analysis for all growth traits and the top 20pc for milk.
Described by Mr Salier as a "really interesting bull", both his sire and dam carried the red factor gene, meaning when joined to Angus cows he had the potential to produce high-performing black calves with added growth and yield.
Reiley Murtagh, Corcoran Parker, Wangaratta, Vic, said the Milawa-based Angus operation was impressed with the quality of the Minnie-Vale draft, which lead to them securing 10 bulls on the day for an average of $13,200.
"The top-priced bull really stood out with his figures, structure and overall type," Mr Murtagh said.
"The red factor was certainly a bonus, but it was the shape, conformation and overall performance figures of the bull that attracted our clients.
"Alloa Pastoral Company are introducing Charolais genetics over their Angus cows to add more stretch, growth for age and improved carcase performance in their calves."
Mr Murtagh said Alloa Pastoral Company specialises in supplying cattle into the Coles Finest program, working closely with the processor to produce a consistent, premium product.
The operation's focus is on improving carcase weight and quality, with cattle finished to achieve dressed weights between 260kg and 340kg.
Alloa Pastoral Company paid a second top price of $17,000 twice, firstly for lot 8, Minnie-Vale Vagabond V1E, a homozygous poll, red factor bull sired by Glenlea QBrick GLE Q906E,
The volume buyer also paid $17,000 for lot 40, Minnie-Vale Viscount V93E. Sired by Rosedale Raphael and out of Minnie-Vale Moonbeam N28E, the red factor bull sits at breed average for all growth traits, ranks in the top 20pc for milk and the top 30pc for rib and rump fat.
Also operating at the top end of the catalogue were repeat buyers Nogoa Pastoral, Emerald, Qld, which after buying four bulls last year returned for another four bulls, averaging $15,250.
The operation paid an equal second-top price of $17,000 for lot 31, Minnie-Vale Valentine V127E, another red factor bull sired by Rosedale Raphael.
Other buyers included Rangan Charolais stud, Charleroi, Victoria, which paid $14,000 for lot 3 and $10,000 for lot 20, while Futurity Shorthorn and Charolais, Baradine, secured lot 5 for $14,000. Grassbrook P/L, Rushes Creek, purchased three bulls, paying to $8000, and Hamblin Pastoral Company, Tarriaro, also bought three bulls, averaging $8333.
The sale was conducted by Davidson and Cameron with Hunter Harley from Davidson and Cameron's Gunnedah agency performing the auctioneering duties. AuctionsPlus provided the online interface.
