Producers invest in softness and low birth weight at Remolea Hereford sale
The annual Remolea Hereford sale was a family affair, with a mother and son being two of the buyers of the three bulls who tied for the top price on the day.
Seats in the shade went quickly at the sale at Pat and Chloe O'Leary's property at Ellangowan south of Toowoomba on August 28, which saw a strong turnout from local, Wallambilla, and Murgon audiences - with buyers from Western Australia bidding online through AuctionsPlus.
The sale saw 49 bulls offered, and 38 sold for a clearance rate of 77.55 per cent, a gross of $348,000, and an average of $9157.89.
The three top bulls were all homozygous polled and sold for $17,000 each.
The first of the three top bulls was Remolea Vibrant V196, which was 22 months old, weighed 754 kilograms, had an average daily weight gain of 1.07kg, a scrotal circumference of 39 centimetres, and a morphology of 87pc.
Remolea Vibrant V196 was by Tobruk Quinn Q006, and out of Remolea Favourite Q023, and was purchased by Kell Freeman, who owns Ballandean Station, a 4850 ha property .
Ms Freeman runs a breeding and fattening operation with her Santa-Hereford herd, which she puts Angus bulls over, but said while the figures of Remolea Vibrant piqued her interest, she has some Remolea genetics in her herd, and wanted something different to go over her cows.
"He's beautifully conformed, and I was looking at their calving and 600-day weight, but you have got to lay eyes on them, and he stood up beautifully," she said.
Ms Freeman said Remolea Vibrant V196 will return to Ballandean Station and go in with her current herd.
The second of the top-price bulls was Remolea Vernie V061, 24 months old and weighing 774 kilograms.
He had an ADG of 1kg, a scrotal circumference of 37cm , and a morphology of 86pc.
Remolea Vernie V061 was by Tobruk Shepherd S3 3RD and out of Remolea Jane, and was purchased by Gavin and Narelle Miller for Rob and Zoe Freeman, who are their daughter and son-in-law.
Rob Freeman is also Kell Freeman's son.
Rob and Zoe Freeman run cattle on another of the Freeman's family properties, Miley View at Roma; Remolea Vernie V061 is the second bull Mr Freeman has bought since he and his wife took over their share of the property in July.
"We have about 150 breeders, 100 replacement heifers and about 8000ha," Mr Freeman said.
They are building their own commercial operation, and said they trusted in Remolea genetics
"Our family has developed a reputation for producing a really good product for our market, and we want to maintain that with our business," Mr Freeman said.
"He looks fantastic on paper and beautiful in the pen - he's within the profile of what we look for, and what I believe my father always taught me that he looked for."
Mr Freeman said Remolea Vernie V061 will be used in their current herd to sire replacement heifers and feeder steers, which Mr Freeman typically sells to feedlots, abattoirs, or through the Roma saleyards.
The third of the top-price bulls was Remolea Vinson V088, which was 24 months old, weighed 844 kilograms, had an average daily weight gain of 1.01kg, a scrotal circumference of 40 centimetres, and a morphology of 89pc.
Remolea Vinson V088 was by Yavenvale Rainmaker R464 and out of Remolea Jane R024, and was purchased by Murray and Jane Walsh of Taylor Grazing.
The Walsh family are repeat buyers at the Remolea sale, and run a Hereford-Santa cross operation on 12,150ha at Injune in central Queensland, producing weaners and finished cattle.
Mr Walsh said he was interested in Remolea Vinson V088 for his softness, low birth weight, and positive fat, and will go with second-calf heifers in his herd.
Vendor Pat O'Leary said the day was successful despite a difficult season, and felt encouraged by the numerous new buyers in attendance.
"They're really good bulls, very soft, easy fleshing, and plenty of muscle... they're solid bulls that are going to go out and get the work done," Mr O'Leary said.
GDL agent Mark Duthie said he feels Herefords are gaining popularity, which was reflected in the O'Leary family's increased profit compared to last year.
"The Hereford job seems to be a bit more positive in the industry, so we're looking forward to continuing with the whitefaces," he said.
- Selling agents: GDL interfaced with AuctionsPlus.
