THE annual Rockhampton Santa Gertrudis bull sale was held in Gracemere on Wednesday where vendors Rowanlea, Glencol and Yarrabee Santa Gertrudis studs collectively drafted 64 bulls of exceptional quality through the CQLX ring.
As the crowds gathered at the Gracemere selling complex the sale saw over 60 bid cards register for the day. With strong demand the bulls went under the hammer to see a total of 55 bulls sell to gross $344,000 for an average of $6255 and an overall clearance of 86 per cent.
Breaking all records for the top priced bull ever sold at the Rockhampton Santa Gertrudis sale saw the Barlow family, Yarrabee Santa Gertrudis, Dingo secure the title with the 24 month-old 998 kg bull Lot 14 Yarrabee Gunyah 1377(P) fetch a whopping $53,000.
As Gunyah 1377 was worked through the ring the bids flew hard and fast with the record breaking bid sealing the deal for buyers Scott Ferguson, Glenn Oaks, Nobby and Roger Hatton, Diamond H, Wandoan.
Both Ferguson and Hatton had been following the bull over the last six to eight months while watching him prepare for Beef and The Royal Queensland Show. With both buyers saying they had no hesitation in paying the top dollar on the day and had their eye on the prize, making the 6 hour drive to take home just the one bull.
Gunyah bull had all the figures to back up the top price as he boasted a 39cm scrotal circumference with 132cm sq eye muscle area and an semen motility rate of 75pc.
“He has the length, balance, good bone, with a perfect sheath and testicles” Mr Ferguson said. Scott Ferguson also went on to say the bull holds style and presence with quality bloodlines.
Gunyah is sired by Glenn Oaks Jumbo Bwana J26 (P), a bull sold to the Barlow family years ago in which Roger Hatton, Diamond H was the underbidder. The bull will be joined with females across the Nobby and Wandoan operations.
Vendor Margaret Barlow, Yarrabee said she was pleasantly surprised with the results.
Reaching a strong second top price for the day was again from the Yarrabee stable going to Yarrabee Guardian 135 (S) reaching $12,000 selling to KM Cattle Company, KM Stud, Biloela.
Auctioneer Mark Scholes, Landmark, Rockhampton said the sale was quite strong all the way through with a good yarding of bulls this year.
“The sale saw the sale average increase by $1200 with a similar clearance to the 2017 sale” Mr Scholes said. He went on to mention the Yarrabee record breaker had a really strong sirey head for a poll bull, with a tidy sheath and a good smooth body throughout.
Repeat and bulk buyers for the day saw Hazeldean Grazing, Eidsvold secure 8 bulls to gross $38,000 for an average $4,750 and Consuelo Cattle Company, Rolleston take home 7 bulls to gross $24,500 for quality buying to average $4083.
Agents: Landmark and Elders.
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