RECORD prices weren't just broken at the Baker family's 10th annual Elite Production Sale at Furner on Thursday last week; they were obliterated when 1030-kilogram lead sale bull – Woonallee Los Angeles L124 – sold for a mind blowing $160,000.
Sired by top New Zealand bull Glen Anthony Y-Arta AY02 and out of Woonallee Kathie B111 of South African bloodlines via Buzzard Hollow Ranch in the United States, the 18-month-old attracted a huge amount of pre-sale interest.
The buyer was Brett Nobbs, Nobbs Cattle Co, Duaringa via Rockhampton, Qld, who may be relatively new to Simmental breeding, but is one of the most widely-respected Brahman breeders in the country.
“I see a lot of beef bulls, and this bull is extraordinary – a once-in-a-lifetime bull,” he said.
“With that weight for age, its softness, skin, fat cover, performance levels and pedigree, it’s got it all, plus such an amazing temperament.”
It is very early in the development of Nobbs Cattle Co’s pure Simmental breeding program, with 100 traditional coloured females and two herd sires, of which Los Angeles is one.
The herd is based on quality South African bloodlines that Mr Nobbs has brought in, with the aim of being able to market a top line of Simmental bulls in 2019.
Mr Nobbs first bought from Woonallee at its 2015 Elite Female Sale, taking the “pick of the entire 2014-drop heifers” for $16,000.
Ultimately his selection – a fill sister to Los Angeles – went on to be the junior champion female at Melbourne Royal and reserve at the Royal Adelaide Show.
He also bought the same “pick of the 2016-drop heifers” at the Baker’s female sale on Wednesday for $17,000.
The underbidders on Los Angeles were Doug and Jan Bradshaw and family, Blue Dog Simmentals, Wandoan, Qld, who bid via Elite Livestock Auctions.
They had previously had great success with Woonallee genetics, including Woonallee Justified, bought in 2015 for $45,000.
The previous $46,000 breed record was set by Woonallee in 2013, while Los Angeles has also surpassed all previous Bos Taurus prices in Australia.
Sometimes there is a real lull after a record sale, but not this time, with lot 2 – Woonallee Lampoon, an impressive Starwest Total Value son – going for $37,000 to Rob, Elisabeth, Rebecca and William Skene, Meldon Park Simmentals, Dalby, Qld.
Post-sale, Woonallee stud principal Tom Baker described it as “just the ideal and best-ever sale result”.
“While the records are mind blowing, the most pleasing aspect was all our regular commercial clients were able to buy bulls at good value,” he said.
Bidders from every state of Australia and New Zealand competed, with 103 registrations at the sale, plus a further 26 registered online through Elite Livestock Auctions.
Local buyers included Chris and Maris Bateman, Furner – fresh from morning success with their commercial heifers in the Woonallee future breeders and feeder commercial weaner female sale where they achieved up to $1830 a head – with two traditional bulls at $14,000 each.
James and Georgie McKay, Egremont, Lucindale, paid $13,000 for a red bull and $10,000 each for two Black Simmentals, while Artimore & Partners, Meningie, paid $13,000 for a traditional bull and $10,000 for a Black Simmental.
Lewis Bruggemann, Glental Simmentals, Mallala, paid $16,000 for Woonallee Lightning – a son of CCR Cowboy Cut 50482.
Elders Naracoorte conducted the sale.
