NSW and SA buyers chase docility and carcase at Elite Poll Herefords
Return buyers from NSW and South Australia chased temperament, structure and carcase traits at the 39th annual Elite Poll Herefords on-property sale, at Eulalia, Gundy, on Thursday, September 3.
Via Helmsman auction, 21 of 33 bulls offered sold to a top of $12,000 and an average of $5820.
That was compared to last year's result of a $13,000 top and average of $7145, when the season had been kinder.
The sale topper, Elite W217, was bought by long term buyer, Manna Station, Forbes, via AuctionsPlus, and was described as "balanced" with a "valuable performance." profile.
Sired by Elite S353, the June 2026-drop bull had top growth traits with 200-day growth in the top 5pc at +47, 400-day in the top 1pc at +82 and 600-day EBV of +108, in the top 5pc.
His carcase traits also ranked in the top 1pc, with 1pc,with a carcase weight EBV of +90 and eye muscle area (EMA) of +8.5.
His intramuscular fat and yield were also ranked top 5pc, which Kay Payne, Elite Poll Herefords, said was an overall combination of traits "extremely hard to find" but what she strived for in her breeding,
The second top-priced bull, Elite V119, was bought by Laurie Chaffey, Weeroona, Somerton for $9000.
The bull was described as having a "great outlook" with homozygous poll genetics,
He was in the top 1pc for 400-day growth with an EBV of +89 and top 5pc for EMA with +7.2.
The Chaffeys have had notable MSA awards with Elite genetics.
Other notable sales included Elite V154 to Tomlinson Agriculture, Moree, for $8000.
The bull was described as having "outstanding" calving ease and ranked in the top 5pc for 400-day growth with an EBV of .+78.
The main volume buyer of the day was not local, however, with the Bell family, Millicent, SA, loading three bulls on the truck, all at $5000.
All three bulls ranked in the top 5pc for EMA.
Among the crowd was Byron Hubbard, who has been attending Elite sale for a decade.
Mr Hubbard said he used to buy bulls for a Hunter Valley property he managed up until two years ago.
At that property they switched from Angus bulls to joining Hereford bulls with Angus cows due to "calving ease" and the "cost relationship".
"Using Elite bulls we had a high percentage of calves and no breakdowns," Mr Hubbard said.
"We ended up trading cows with black baldy calves at foot and that became the program."
While Mr Hubbard now has his own operation trading cattle, he still attended the annual Elite sale to secure bulls for other clients.
"I've had a great relationship with Kay and her cattle, "he said
"They're profitable cattle that are sound and have a great temperament."
Elite Poll Herefords' Kay Payne said she was pleased with the result given a tougher season.
"The season was particularly ordinary up until May when we got a little bit of a break and pasture which pushed the bulls along really well then," she said.
"Everybody was happy with the presentation of the bulls and the quality of the bulls.
"We had 100 per cent repeat buyers and that's very gratifying because the bulls are working out for them.
"Soundness is certainly a big thing in our selection, but obviously we go into the the growth and the muscle and IMF to try and get a good carcase for the the better quality markets as well."
The Helmsman sale was conducted by Hunter Stock and Land and interfaced with AuctionsPlus.
