Second on-property Canowindra sale reaps $10,448 average

It's been difficult for Australians to cross the Tasman Sea to New Zealand this year but Strathmore Santa Gertrudis stud principals Ian and Kerry Walker have brought the Tasman to Blackall.

They were the purchasers of the top-priced bull at the third Canowindra Santa Gertrudis bull sale on Wednesday, outlaying $24,000 for Canowindra Tasman T44 (P).

The 23-month-old bull, the son of Yarrawonga Eureka L592 (P) and Canowindra M133 (P), was the sixth new sire for the Blackall-based stud, which had two bulls from Yarrawonga, one from Yugilbar, one from Cree, and one from Dangarfield sales unloaded in their home paddocks from this year's sales.

Ian Walker said it was the first time he'd bought a Canowindra bull but he liked his new purchase's type.

"He's got beef character and the type of confirmation we're looking for," he said.

A poll bull, Canowindra Tasman weighed 880kg, had P8 and rib fat measurements of 13mm and 10mm, an eye muscle area of 135 square centimetres, intramuscular fat of 4.6 per cent, and a scrotal circumference of 41cm.

Related: Canowindra blasts a $22,000 top price

The early lots in the Wolff family's catalogue of 29 classified bulls and eight herd bulls were in demand among Queensland's Santa Gertrudis studs.

Mr Walker's brother-in-law Bevan Pearce, Bendalla Santas at Longreach, outlaid $19,000 for Canowindra Taronga T161 (P), a 19-month-old homozygous poll son of Yarrawonga J1220 (PS) whose daily weight gain of 1.34kg was the highest in the catalogue.

Shane Hatton from the Diamond H Santa Gertrudis stud at Wandoan successfully secured the third bull into the ring, Canowindra Touch Down T6 (P) (AI) for 20,000.

Two lots later he was adding Canowindra Three D T32 (PS) to his buyer's instruction card, paying $22,000.

The first, a homozygous poll, was sired by Yarrawonga Drover J586 (P) and the second by Yarrawonga Gun M610 (ET) (AI).

Bidding online, David and Suzanne Bassingthwaighte, Waco Santa Gertrudis stud, were successful in purchasing Canowindra The Rock T82 (P) for $18,000.

Another Yarrawonga Eureka son, he weighed 870kg at 22 months, had P8 and rib fat measurements of 13mm and 8mm, an EMA of 136sq cm, and a scrotal circumference of 41cm.

Further on in the catalogue Scott Dunlop, Proston outlaid $16,000 for Canowindra Thunder Bird T92, a homozygous polled son of Yarrawonga Eureka, aged 21 months and weighing 870kg.

Mixing it in the early stages was Jan Clark's Daandine Pastoral Co, Gwambegwine, Taroom, selecting homozygous polled Canowindra Trademark T3 (P) (AI) for $16,000 and Canowindra Top Edge T54 (PS) for $14,000.

The previous day she had purchased one bull from the Moongana Santa Gertrudis sale at Springsure for $17,000.

Another Moongana purchaser active on Wednesday was Rolleston's Lindsay Fairweather, who got in early to buy lot two, Canowindra Taylor Made T7, a PP bull, for $14,000.

Among the commercial producers active at the sale were Injune's Jack and Sharelle Boyd who bought three bulls, two classified bulls for $6000 and $8000, and a herd bull for $5000.

Their buying representative, Elders Roma's Daven Vohland said they would be put over Charbray breeders.

He said the Boyds wanted poll bulls, and bulls that would suit their northern country, Clyde Park at Hughenden, as well.

"We know these bulls will get up and travel - I bought six here last year that went to Richmond," Mr Vohland said.

NA Daniels and Sons, Gindie, purchased four bulls on the day, while Greg and Jenny New, Nebo finished with three bulls, as did CA and CC Moller, Recruit, Clermont.

Among the Moller family's new bulls was the heaviest one in the catalogue, Canowindra Sargent S135 (P), weighing 990kg at 30 months, which they outlaid $10,000 for.

The Wolff's classified bulls sold for an average of $10,862 and their herd bulls made an average price of $8812.

The four herd bulls offered by invited vendors Derek and Carlene Baker, Tally-Ho, Springsure were sold after the auction.

Santa Gertrudis Breeders Association general manager Chris Todd said what he liked about the Wolff family's line-up was that they exuded power.

"They were well-muscled and suited for any herd, whether as a sire for a stud or for a commercial herd," he said.

Jason Wolff commented before the sale that he'd never seen such a large crowd, and at the conclusion said the family was very happy with the result.

"You always hope for that average but it's great to see it," he said.

He said the interest in bulls by Yarrawonga Eureka, which the Canowindra stud had bought for his muscle pattern, was evident at Wednesday's sale.

"Last year we only had two of his sons for sale, but there were more this year.

"The top priced bull was very correct, he had a good top line and lots of length and depth."