The Locke family at Wirruna Poll Herefords Holbrook held their Spring Bull & female sale on Wednesday 22nd August 2018 selling 71% (40 of the 56 offered) for an average of $6,063.
“It was always going to be tough to shift all the bulls when many of your clients are in survival mode!” Ian said. “Although there are many clients concerned about the season, it was heartening to see the support from many repeat clients, and a few new ones, showing faith in Wirruna’s genetic program and an understanding that investments in genetics are long term in nature and the positive outcomes will be felt beyond the current season difficulties being experienced”.
Repeat stud buyers saw 3 bulls making the top price of $10,500. Matt Kelly of Warragundi Poll Herefords secured a Spark son in Lot 4. Allan Morgan of Morganvale Poll Herefords in South Australia purchased a Fletcher son in Lot 48. Garth Hancock of Hancock Pastoral in Queensland purchased both the equal highest price bull, Lot 7, and the highest price female, Lot 74. Both of these were progeny of Allendale Anzac E114, and represented high-end growth and carcase genetics.
The surprise of the sale was the strength in the female lots. Matt Kelly from Warragundi PHS took home a couple, also studs such as Millarah PHS, Jawilo PHS and Enderley Pastoral Stud. The two group lots of heifers sold to repeat Wirruna commercial clients.
There were a few clients taking home more than 2 bulls including Yarran Agriculture at Young, Jigsaw Farms at Hensley Park, Ryder Pastoral Co at Mount Beauty and Okeview Pastoral Co at Wagga.
This seasonally challenged sale was certainly in contrast to Spring 2017, where 59 bulls sold for a $7,610. Nevertheless, there were some familiar themes, High Index bull lots and particularly those with high marbling showed very good support. Also the bulls tested homozygous Poll achieved an average of $850 beyond those that carried the horn gene.
The Locke family extend our thanks to all of the successful purchases and underbidders at the sale and appreciate their ongoing support.
| 22nd August 2018 Spring 2018 Sale | Bulls | Females (indiv lots) |
| Number offered: | 56 | 9 |
| Number sold: | 40 (71%) | 9 (100%) |
| Highest price: | $10,500 (x3) | $4,400 |
| Average price: | $6,063 | $2,339 |
| Name of animal receiving highest price: | Wirruna Melrose M256 (Lot 4) Wirruna Maximum M345 (Lot 7) Wirruna Melville M243 (Lot 48) |
Wirruna Victoria M397 (Lot 74) |
| Purchaser of highest priced animal: | M & D Kelly, Warragundi PHS, Currabubula, NSW Hancock Pastoral P/L, Cambooya, Qld Allan Morgan, Morganvale PHS, Keith, SA Hancock Pastoral P/L, Cambooya, Qld |
Hancock Pastoral P/L, Cambooya, Qld |