Wirruna Poll Hereford dispersal tops $30,000 at Holbrook on day one
Summary
Studs were particularly active on day one of the Wirruna Poll Herefords female dispersal sale, held on-property near Holbrook on Wednesday, October 14. Buyers from as far away as the United Kingdom bought cows with calves, heifers and embryo transfer calves.
At the end of day one, 114 of the 129 cows with calves had sold to a top of $30,000 for an average of $6316. A total of 179 from 191 yearling heifers also hit a top of $30,000 and averaged $5156, while 28 of 31 embryo transfer calves sold for an average of $7714.
The top-priced older cow with calf at foot was Wirruna Last Day R006, which made $30,000 to Callaway Poll Hereford stud, Irvingdale, Queensland, and Talbalba Herefords, Millmerran, Queensland. The July 2020-drop cow, sired by Wirruna Justin J13 and from Wirruna Last Day P057, ranked in the top 3 per cent for calving ease daughters at +16.2. She also sat in the top 10 per cent for gestation length, mature cow weight, scrotal size, days to calving and carcase weight at -4.5, +98, +3.6, -6.4 and +72 respectively. Her two-month-old calf was sired by Tobruk TopGun T17.
The sale continues with about 300 more lots on offer.
Key Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Cows with calves sold, top, average |
114 of 129 to $30,000 at $6316 |
| Yearling heifers sold, top, average | 179 of 191 to $30,000 at $5156 |
| Embryo transfer calves sold, average | 28 of 31 at $7714 |
| Top embryo transfer calf |
$16,000 |
| Notable cow sale |
$25,000 |
| Top cow calving ease daughters | +16.2, top 3 per cent |
| Lots remaining for day two | About 300 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What did the Wirruna dispersal top at on day one?
Day one topped at $30,000, a price reached by both an older cow with calf at foot and a yearling heifer. The cows with calves averaged $6316 and the yearling heifers $5156.
What sold on day one?
Of the cows with calves, 114 of 129 sold. A total of 179 from 191 yearling heifers sold, along with 28 of 31 embryo transfer calves at a $7714 average. Buyers came from as far away as the United Kingdom.
Who bought the top-priced cow?
Wirruna Last Day R006 made $30,000 to Callaway Poll Hereford stud, Irvingdale, and Talbalba Herefords, Millmerran, both in Queensland. The buyer had visited in July and picked the cow for her ideal skin and eyes. She will go straight into an embryo transfer program running about 120 stud cows.
What figures did the top-priced cow record?
The July 2020-drop cow ranked in the top 3 per cent for calving ease daughters at +16.2. She was also top 10 per cent for gestation length, mature cow weight, scrotal size, days to calving and carcase weight at -4.5, +98, +3.6, -6.4 and +72. She is by Wirruna Justin J13 from Wirruna Last Day P057.
Who bought the top-priced heifer?
Netherhall Herefords, Cumbria, in the United Kingdom, paid $30,000 for Wirruna Madam W498. The August 2025-drop heifer, by SHF Houston D287, ranked in the top 1 per cent for 200, 400 and 600-day growth at +62, +105 and +140. She was also top 2 per cent for mature cow weight at +112 and top 3 per cent for gestation length at -5.5.
Why did overseas buyers travel to the sale?
The United Kingdom buyers made the trip to Australia to buy three yearling heifers and shares in an embryo transfer calf on the first day. They run a Poll Hereford stud calving about 300 a year and were chasing females for carcase, milk and easy calving.
What other notable lots sold?
Wirruna Madam T030 made $25,000 to Mawarra Genetics, Longford, Victoria, and Holbrook, in that stud's first purchase from Wirruna. The July 2022-drop cow ranked in the top 1 per cent for calving ease daughters, gestation length and intramuscular fat. The top-priced embryo transfer calf, Wirruna Janette U302, made $16,000 to Days Whiteface, Bordertown, and Talbalba Herefords.
What is still to come?
The sale continues with about 300 more lots on offer. A syndicate of Netherhall Herefords, Tobruk Poll Herefords, Wagga Wagga, and a commercial buyer from Millicent, South Australia, also took shares in Wirruna Last Day S218 for $14,000. The sale was conducted by Nutrien Ag Solutions with AuctionsPlus providing the online interface.
