CONTINUED tough Northern conditions adversely impacted the 2014 Gold City Brahman Sale held at Charters Towers on Friday but the figures showed a marked improvement upon the 2013 sale.
A total of 92 bulls sold for $345,250 at an average of $3752.72 for a clearance rate of 83 percent.
The sale topped at $12,500 for a superb Grey in Lot 29 Elrose Randall 10051 (P). The winning bid on Randall was placed by Barry and Bev Hannam of Batandra Brahmans, Milman.
Randall was the Hannam’s sole purchase at the sale who said he was exactly the kind of bull they were looking for.
“He’s a good-even-bodied poll bull, with a lot of conformation about him,” Mr Hannam said.
Elrose Sir Allan (AI) (ET) (H) continued the solid sale run for the stud selling for $10,000 to David Roberts, Swans Lagoon Pastoral Company, Ayr.
Swans Lagoon put together an exceptional sale team picking up five highly coveted Grey’s.
Brian and Glenda Kirkwood, Somerview Brahmans, Charters Towers, sold the top price Red in Lot 104 Somerview Justin 2226 (P) for $9000 to Yvonne Cox, Belmore Down, Collinsville.
Justin was one of five bulls (four red and one grey) Mrs Cox purchased during the sale.
“What caught my eye with Justin was his length and width, which are both ample, he also has an excellent temperament,” she said.
Mrs Cox also took home the second top price Red, Lot 96 Bungarribee Finnegan 12 (P) for $7000 sold by Jim and Bonnie Besley, Bungarribee Brahman Stud, Barmoya.
A photo gallery from the sale can be accessed by clicking on the photo below.
Other volume buyers at the sale included John and Marilyn Toohey, Glen Dhu St, Mt Garnet, who took home a solid team of nine Red’s and Grey’s; AH Pastoral Co, Allan Hills St, Homestead, finished the sale with eight bulls; and David Kemp from Eight Mile Pastoral Co, Lotus Park, Marlborough, purchased six bulls.
Roger and Lorena Jefferis, Elrose Brahmans, Cloncurry, was the equal highest volume seller with eight of their sale bulls snapped up; Troy Lindsay, Toy Boy Brahman Stud, Caboolture, also sold well with eight of their bulls purchased; Alan and Penny Wallace, Black Wattle Brahmans, Marlborough, saw eight of their sale team picked up.
After the sale Australian Brahman Breeders Association (ABBA) General Manager John Croaker said it was always going to be a tough sale “due to the effects of the season which has impacted heavily on producers in the North and seen a reduction in cow numbers in traditional Brahman breeding areas”.
“We were also a bit short on buying strength which led to a solid yarding of cattle underachieving slightly in relation to what they probably should have sold for in optimum conditions,” Mr Croaker said.
“We certainly would have liked to sell a few more bulls, but all things considered it was still a noticeable improvement on the 2013 sale figures,” he said.
“So coming out of the sale I’m optimistic that it will be business as usual sooner rather than later.
“I’d like to say a special thank you to the regular sale vendors who were prepared to sell their bulls in a tough environment, their loyalty in selling at the sale through thick and thin is greatly respected and appreciated.”
“I’d also like to thank the sponsors, buyers and underbidders for their support, and look forward to seeing you at the 2015 Gold City Sale.”
