Elite Raven Limousin heifer makes $11,000

Raven No It All N607 was among the first progeny of United States bull, LFLC Ace 750A, to be offered in Australia.

The young homozygous polled female was bought by Tony and Liz Sutcliffe, Toebelle Limousins, Dunns Creek, NSW, who were impressed by the outcross female and her tremendous figures.

“We see her as a top potential donor – she is going to be a big, powerful cow,” Mr Sutcliffe said.

It was one of many highlights for stud principals Jason and Penny Schulz, who attracted stud and commercial interest from across Australia in their elite offering of Limousin females and Limousin and Limflex bulls.

In the breakdown eight of nine females, mostly weaned heifers, averaged $5750.

The industry innovators also posted a new stud record sale average of $6192 for their 26 bulls sold– up $352 on their 2017 sale.

Toebelle Limousins continued their strong support of Raven’s breeding program buying the top priced bull for the second year in a row.

The Sutcliffes outlaid $10,500 for Lot 8, the aptly named Raven Man O Man M617.

“It is really well muscled and will add that shape to our commercial and stud herd,” Mr Sutcliffe said.

The 20-month-old, homozygous polled, black coated bull was out of a first calver and a son of Raven Jager Bomb J850.

It was the heaviest bull in the draft at 200 day weighing and had many traits in the top 10 per cent of the breed, including +2.8 for eye muscle area and +61 for docility.

“A lot of people tell me you can’t get a black Limousin with the same muscling as a red,” Mr Schulz said.

“I beg to differ –  Lot 8 has plenty of muscle.”

Toebelle also bought the top priced apricot bull in the sale, Lot 4, Raven Memphis M381, for $9000.

WA stud breeders, PR&CM Kupsch, Tara Limousin stud, Allanooka,  secured one of the star lots, Raven Mandate M349, for $10,000.

Mandate was one of the few black sons of Greenwood PLD Zambuka for sale in Australia and had great carcase shape and softness.

It had the figures to match being in the top 1pc for scrotal, eye muscle area and positive fat and top 10pc of all growth traits, carcase weight, EMA and docility.

Raven had used Mandate over heifers and retained 100 straws of semen in the bull.

Beltana Station, via Leigh Creek, were the volume buyers with three bulls to a $6500 high, while CJ&YM Butcher, Coonalpyn, bought two Limflex at $5000 and $6000.

Mr Schulz was rapt with the result of the video auction which attracted 40 registered bidders, plus another 26 logged on through AuctionsPlus.

“Penny and I have been working for a long time on our program and are big believers in it but it is always  nice to get that backing from fellow stud breeders which we really appreciate,” he said.

Despite the strong highs Mr Schulz was pleased there was still good value for their commercial clients.

Elders auctioneer Tony Wetherall had high praise for the muscling, growth and easy fleshing of the cattle.

“Repeat commercial buyers have had the performance out of these cattle so they have turned up to Raven again to get their requirements," he said.

“It is about genetics making dollars for producers and these cattle will certainly do that.”