CENTRAL Queensland producers grabbed a rare opportunity to secure Angus genetics for local herds at the fifth Murdeduke bull sale at Gracemere on August 27.
Forty-nine bulls, the oldest of which was 25 months, went under the hammer for an average of $6071 and 82 per cent clearance, leaving vendor Lachie Wilson, Murdeduke Angus, Winchelsea, Victoria, "content under the circumstances".
Mr Wilson said seasonal issues had an impact on buyer activity but he was quick to thank CQ's beef community for its support.
"The catalogue was held at about the same level as it had been in the past and because of the conditions we held it at a B-double load," Mr Wilson said.
"No doubt the bulls that had the right genetic package in EBVs and had cleaned up in the coat presented well and sold well and that was especially pleasing.
"This was our fifth sale at Gracemere and it was very pleasing that many of the clients who bought at the first sale have had a good experience and returned and we see this sale as being entrenched in our program."
Simon Falkiner, one of Mr Wilson's colleagues, said Murdeduke had been encouraged to offer Angus genetics to CQ producers by meat processors.
"The industry is eager for better quality in the carcase and Angus can deliver with softness and a higher marbling rate," Mr Falkiner said.
"People might wonder why we come all this way but there is a gap in the market we are trying to service and and our history suggests things are going well."
Mr Wilson said lessons learned from previous CQ sales led to a mid-May relocation of his consignment to Raglan Station, Raglan.
"We got them to Raglan to acclimatise, to get them used to the heat, ticks and the three-day sickness and having them up here well before the sale is an essential part of what we do," he said.
"We have learned from the past that if the bulls can get through that first season they will be as good as gold."
Nogoa Pastoral Pty Ltd, Duckponds, Emerald, had the last call on the top priced bull, knocked down for $16,000. Murdeduke Complement N29, a 25 month-old son of EF Complement 8088 and Murdeduke Jedda L295, walked into the selling ring weighing 896kg and featured an EMA of 132 sq cm and a scrotal circumference of 41cm. Nogoa also signed for Murdeduke Complement N39 and Murdeduke Krakatoa N287, paying $9500 and $6500, respectively.
Another five bulls sold for five figure sums, including $15,000 for Murdeduke Hussar N134, a 982kg son of Murdeduke Hussar H211 and Murdeduke Panda J49, which entered the ring with an EMA of 130 sq cm, marbling of 7.0, scrotal circumference of 46cm and motility of 95pc.
The 820kg Murdeduke Western Express N353 sold for $13,500 and Murdeduke Upward went for $13,000.
Murdeduke Hero N225, by Coonamble H176 from Murdeduke Panda J5, went to C and Nobbs Pastoral Company, Cordelia, Moura, on a bid of $10,000.
Nobbs Pastoral Company, Moura, was the big volume buyer, picking up seven bulls - Murdeduke Western Express N400, Murdeduke Complement N315, Murdeduke Upward N363, Murdeduke Lariken N406, Murdeduke Kicking N322, Murdeduke Jamboree N60 and Murdeduke Western Express N470 for an average of $7785. McAulay-Powell P/L, Stockyard Creek Marlborough, Nell Partnership Lenopus Park Springsure and Clematis Pastoral Company, Emerald bought five bulls apiece.
Agents: Savage Barker Backhouse and Elders Rockhampton.
Alan Welburn
Lover of sport, particularly horse racing and all things Olympic. Have spent my entire working life in journalism, mostly with News Corp on its major metro mastheads. Done plenty of things but the best by far is having a teenage son who calls me dad.
Lover of sport, particularly horse racing and all things Olympic. Have spent my entire working life in journalism, mostly with News Corp on its major metro mastheads. Done plenty of things but the best by far is having a teenage son who calls me dad.
