THE bids were flowing straight off the bat at the annual PB Fenech Spring Invitational Brahman Sale in Sarina on Saturday, with the first lot taking out the top price for the day.
Vendors Paul and Brigid Fenech, PBF Stud, Sarina and their invited vendors, the Pioneer Park Stud, Mackay, and Stewart Park Stud, Comet, watched their physical product sell to all parts of the state with strong, repeat buyer support evident.
Setting the pace early was Rob Flute of Chatfield Station, Richmond, who made the top bid of $42,500 to secure PBF Garside Manso 490/17.
The Fenech’s had identified Garside as the pick of the day, describing the young sire as a big, imposing, dark grey sire prospect with length, bone, breed character and real genetic strength.
The 23-month-old sire entered the ring weighing 1019kg, had an eye muscle area of 140sq centimetres and scrotal circumference of 43cm.
Mr Flute was a repeat buyer of Fenech bulls and said Garside had caught his eye due to his breeding and confirmation.
“We’ve bought Fenech bulls before and they do well in this country,” Mr Flute said.
“They adapt easily and do well, they are good cattle.
“We breed bulls out of them.”
Mr Flute said they run about 1200 grey Brahman breeders, and breed about 200-300 bulls a year, which are sold as herd bulls.
He said that while his country remained dry, this season was the best rain they had seen since 2010.
“It doesn't matter how dry it is, you’ve got to keep buying to keep the operation running,” Mr Flute said.
In total, 23 Brahman bulls sold to average $12,087.
The second top price of $37,500 was for 25-month-old bull PBF Campbell Manso, a long bodied, strong muscled son of PBF McCheeko, purchased by Frank Jodrell, Delaym Pastoral Company, Mingela.
Campbell entered the ring weighing 947kg, had an eye muscle area of 141sq cm and a scrotal circumference of 43cm.
Gordon and Sue Rickertt, Curra Rural, Clermont, were at the sale and shopped early, purchasing PBF McKeon Manso for $18,000.
The 24-month old weighed 913kg, had an eye muscle area of 142sq cm and a scrotal circumference of 41cm.
McKeon was described as a robust hardy bull that would handle any cattle country and seasonal conditions.
Also among the buyers was the Mount Stuart Trust of Capella, who outlaid $17,000 for the 23-month-old sire PBF Fearnley Manso.
Fearnley weighed in at 843kg, had an eye muscle area of 138sq cm and a scrotal circumference of 45cm.
The young bull was noted for his wonderful, natural carcass qualities, his length, strong and straight on top into a good hindquarter. He was noted as a hardy, hard working type that would breed prolifically.
Ken McCaffrey of McCaffrey's Australian Livestock Marketing said the sale had a large attendance of buyers from across Queensland, with the Brahman section selling to a strong market.
Brahman heifers also sold well, with 22 sold, topping at $21,000 to average $7841.
The top selling heifer, Pioneer Park D Lady Chantilly 151, sold to Ruan Grazing, Clermont.
Agents: McCaffrey’s and Elders.