ON Thursday, December 4-5 the annual Kandanga Valley Charolais and Charbray bull sale will be held at the Braeside saleyards, Nebo, commencing at 10am.
This year John and Roz Mercer will present 45 quality, well-muscled bulls consisting of 19 Charolais and 26 Charbray.
Stud principal John Mercer predicts that the Australian cattle industry is on the verge of a golden era.
“Once some general rain covers our state, cattle breeders should achieve prices never seen before,” Mr Mercer said.
“Demand for Australian beef globally is unprecedented and thanks to a lot of good marketing and hard work by all interested bodies and the present Australian government, the image of Australian beef has never been more respected,” he said.
“To be part of this new positive trend we’re going to need to breed more and better cattle. Now is the time to buy young, fit bulls to maximise calving percentages and profits into the future.”
All the bulls have been reared in coastal hills around the Gympie district and have experienced some tough seasonal conditions plus plenty of exposure to cattle ticks.
Kandanga Valley bulls are noted throughout Queensland for their survivability and constitution. This line-up has proven to be very good performers at Kandanga in an extremely tough season.
Included in this year’s Charolais line up are nine polled and three red factor bulls. In recent years the Mercers have been steadily increasing their polled genetics in the herd but would like to emphasise that polled cattle in the Kandanga Valley herd must pass the critical eye of stud principal John plus perform as well as the horned cattle. Underperformers polled or horned are culled as quickly as possible.
Two great old polled herd sires – Kandanga Valley Zergo and Zealot are represented by some very meaty bulls that would complement any herd of bos indicus cows. Both retired this year, at 10 years of age, they are prime examples of the longevity of Kandanga Valley bred bulls.
A new polled sire, Baroola Ed, is represented by four quality sons that come with impressive growth EBV’s and display plenty of length and the ability to fatten easily. Lot 13 is a feature – he’s an impressive polled red factor bull that will turn a few heads. Also included early in the catalogue are some rising three year old Charolais bulls that are ready for serious work.
“Charolais and Charbray cattle weigh heavy and that’s what we get paid for at market time.”
Clients in the Mackay district this year have reported back to the Mercer’s that their Charolais/Brahman-cross weaners have received a premium of over $100/head more than their pure Brahman weaners.
The Charbray section of the catalogue is comprised of 26 quality bulls to suit all markets and environments. They vary from big boned growthy types for breeding heavy bullocks to some earlier maturing, heavy muscled, high yielding bulls that will breed quality weaners for the feedlot sector.
The Charbray bulls also come with a range of Brahman and Charolais content to suit any preference. The majority are, however, generation bred Charbrays, helping to improve the consistency of progeny.
Two outstanding old stud sires, Kandanga Valley Activ-8 and Meat Pak are once again represented by some eye catching sons with great carcase attributes. Dallas Ranch Hollywood also has six sons catalogued.
A feature bull of this draft is Lot 21 – he’s a big, quiet fellow that’s so long he struggles to fit in his catalogue photo! Three Charbray bulls are polled or scurred.
Mr Mercer is very pleased with the correctness of these bulls and would like to point out that they have very sound legs and feet, sheaths and testicles and no bulls offered have had any feet trimming or hair clipped.
All bulls are vaccinated with 7-in-1, 3-germ blood and 3-day sickness and are semen tested. They will be presented with weights, and muscle and fat scans on sale day.
Both breeds also come with EBV figures and will be presented free of ticks to clear into clean country if required.
The bulls are used to being handled with horses, dogs and quad bikes.
Sale agents are Landmark, Mackay and Hayes & Co, Nebo.
Catalogues are now available and photos are on our website - www.kandanga-valley.com
