Bendoc Park smashes record as Victorian stud picks up top-priced bull
The first lot of the sale eclipsed Bendoc Park's record by $13,000 during the stud's annual bull sale held at Delegate showground on Friday, August 21.
The Cootralantra stud sold a total of 19 of 23 Poll Hereford bulls to a top of $28,000 and for an average of $8500, to a mix of new and repeat buyers from five states.
The top-priced bull was Bendoc Park Wilbur W7, which sold for $28,000 to Tarcombe Herefords and Charolais, Ruffy, Victoria.
The 17-month-old bull, sired by Wirruna Titus T167 and from Wirruna Doreen T596, weighed 690 kilograms and had a scrotal circumference of 40 centimetres.
He ranked in the top 1 per cent for intramuscular fat (IMF) with a figure of +3.1 and top 2pc for gestation length and rump fat with figures of -6.4 and +4.0 respectively.
The PP bull also ranked in the top 3pc for carcase weight and eye muscle area with figures of +82 and +7.9 respectively and top 4pc for calving ease with a figure of +15.5.
Buyer Tim Hayes, Tarcombe, said he was drawn to the bull by his BreedPlan figures.
"His calving ease, early growth, muscle, marbling, fertility - he was well balanced," he said.
"Those sort of numbers don't come along too often."
The bull will go into the stud operation where they run 350 stud Hereford cows, focused on breeding for calving ease and carcase.
"Efficient cattle, have the the ability to finish cattle as quickly as possible, structurally sound and good temperament," he said.
Mr Hayes said it was the first time he had purchased from Bendoc with the bull attracting him to the stud.
"He's a bull we can use genetically," he said.
Bendoc Park Poll Herefords' Lucy Sellers said the bull was a standout on figures.
"Not only was he top 1pc in the breed trait index, he was also phenotypically good," she said.
Ms Sellers said she was very happy with the sale, having beaten their previous top-price by $13,000 and also increased their average.
"We had 10 new buyers and a lot of returning customers as well," she said.
Ms Sellers said new buyers had bulls heading to Western Australia and Tasmania with buyers chasing the bulls with the top figures.
"A few bulls were placed into studs, which is always pleasing," she said.
"That's what we're aiming to do - breed bulls that the studs want to buy."
Guest vendor Telfordvale sold two of three bulls for an average of $6000.
The Helmsman sale was conducted by Nutrien Ag Solutions. AuctionsPlus provided the online interface.
