Carcase weight, yield drive Truro Whiteface sale with increased competition from Qld
After 17 millimetres of rain to settle the dust, long-term clients and Queensland buyers dominated the Truro Whiteface Hereford bull sale at Bellata on Monday, August 24.
Nineteen of 24 bulls sold to a top of $30,000 and an average of $10,333, with five lots of semen also sold.
Top-priced bull Truro Van Gogh V113 was the standout of the sale, selling to Hunter Lakes Poll Herefords, Richmond Vale.
The stud was also a partner in the purchase of the $130,000, Truro Sherlock S188 three years ago.
Sired by TR Sasquatch S026 and out of Truro Unity P093,the July 2024-drop 1040-kilogram bull was described as Truro's "most complete sire ... ever presented for sale" and was awarded 2026 Sydney Royal Show supreme Hereford exhibit.
With a scrotal circumference of 43 centimetres, the bull's estimated breeding values for growth were all in the top percentiles, with its 200-day growth of +48 in the top 3pc, 400 day growth of +79 in the top 5pc and 600 day growth of +115 in the top 4pc.
A carcase weight EBV of +76 landed the bull in the top 6pc of the breed.
The second top-price was Truro Valentino V108 with a price tag of $20,000, selling to the Eldorado Partnership, Glen Innes.
Another July 2024-drop bull, the 1020kg son of Karoonda Yackandandah R276 had a carcase weight EBV of +74 - sitting in the top 8pc, as was mature cow weight at +98.
Another standout lot of the sale was Truro Van Halen V114, which sold to Hunt Ag, Moree for $18,000.
While the three top bulls were sold into NSW, many others went across the border to Queensland, including the districts of Augathella and Jandowae.
Arm and Dagger Cattle Co, Augathella, secured two bulls for $6000 and $12,000, while The Hoare family, Jandowae, secured a bull for $6000.
Manilla's Forrest family secured three bulls to a top of $10,000 and average of $8000.
Local buyer Koiwon Enterprises secured a bull for $8000 as well as buying several semen straws.
Truro principal Scott Hann said he was pleased to see more Herefords make their way to Queensland.
"It's been great to clear more bulls to some new people, people at Queensland and we had the support of local, long-term clients too," Mr Hann said.
He also said the stud had worked hard to increase carcase weight and yield.
"We go in as many carcase competitions as we can and we're changing our cattle to increase carcase, which in turn increases yield.
"I think as far as traction goes there's a lot of crossbreeding and I believe that going forward crossbreeding into Northern Australia is where we're really going to gain some traction, and that's where we're aiming at."
The sale was conducted by Elders, Gunnedah, and BJA Stock and Station Agents, Inverell, with Paul Dooley the auctioneer. AuctionsPlus ran the online interface.
