There was an almost total clearance of the 49 Poll Hereford bulls offered during the 70th birthday bull and female sale on account Ian and Diana Locke, Wirruna, Holbrook on Wednesday with a top price of $16,000 secured for Wirruna McLaren.
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Sale results:
45/49 bulls - top price $16,000, average price $6588.89
11/11 individual females - top price $4250, average price $2086.36
58/58 females in group lots - top price $2000, average price $1705
The top priced bull, a 31 month-old son of Wirruna Justin had been used in the Wirruna stud and 50 percent of semen rights were retained by Wirruna.
Purchased by Andrew Schwarz, OakDowns Poll Herefords, Senior, South Australia, he weighs 928kg, has the scrotal measurement of 40cm, and was in the top 20 2016-drop bulls for $Index values.
Mr Locke said the bull has a great length, conformation and a clean front end which was proven with 15 progeny.
Other good stud sales included Wirruna Molong, a 31 month-son of Wirruna Fletcher purchased by Tarcome Herefords, Ruffy, Victoria through AuctionsPlus for $12,500 and Wirruna Nolan purchased by Geoff and Jan Coghill, Ke Warra Poll Herefords, Moorooduc, Vic and David Meikle, Tarwin Poll Herefords, Meeniyan, South Gippsland, Vic in partnership.
Graham and Marcelle Aldridge, Jamieson, Vic paid $10,500 for his choice of the draft, Wirruna Network a specialist heifer bull by Orari Gorge Mischief.
Mr Aldridge has been buying from Wirruna for a number of years and made his selection for his ease of calving.
"I'm also looking to keep the deep red colour and softness of skin in my herd," he said.
Mr Aldridge keeps a herd of 160 cows selling the steer progeny as yearlings into feedlots or through AuctionsPlus, which ever is the best price.
The top priced individual female, Wirruna Victoria a 90 month-old daughter of Wirruna Daffy was bought by NSW DPI, Menangle for $4250.
They also were active in securing all of the group females for average price $1705.
Studmaster Ian Locke said it had been hard to gauge the response to the sale before it started.
"There was a lot of support throughout the sale, and pleasing to see interstate studs buying," he said.
The Helmsman auction was interfaced with AuctionsPlus and settled by Atkins Livestock Marketing, Albury.