Flanking the $32,000 top price bull at the Dubbo National, Ravensdale Guardian M222, are vendors Jenny Adams and Brian Burgess, Ravensdale, Holbrook, John Settree, Landmark Stud Stock, buyer Mark Duthie, Callaway stud, Irvingdale, Qld, handler Stuart Hobbs and Steve and Debbie Reid, Talbalba Herefords, Millmerran, Qld. Image BJS Photography

DESPERATELY dry conditions curtailed buyer demand for Hereford bulls at the breed’s national bull sale in Dubbo yesterday, but the bulls that did sell still returned solid averages.

The breed’s national sale cleared 44 bulls from the 95 offered for a gross of $350,500 and average of $7965. Sixty-five bidders registered to compete for the catalogue. A son of carcase sire Allendale Anzac E114 topped the sale at $32,000.

Steve and Debbie Reid, Talbalba Herefords, Millmerran, Qld, in partnership with Mark and Nikita Duthie, Callaway Poll Herefords, Irvingdale, Qld, outlaid the top price for Ravensdale Guardian M222, sold by Brian Burgess, Ravensdale Poll Herefords, Holbrook, NSW.

The August 2016 drop son of Allendale Anzac E114 weighed 884kg, and scanned with an eye muscle area of 129sq cm, P8 of 18mm and rump fat of 10mm. He had a 600 day weight of +110kg, an eye muscle area of +3.8sq cm and intramuscular fat of +1.2pc.

Landmark Stud Stock manager at Dubbo, John Settree, said dry seasonal conditions had impacted the sale with a lack of commercial underpinning, creating a select market on the day.

“It was an opportunity sale – it was a good draft of cattle and I congratulate the vendors in what they’ve done in getting the bulls to Dubbo, but it’s been a trying season conditionally,’’ Mr Settree said.

“It was a hard day and the sale result didn’t reflect the quality that was here.’’

Second top price of $22,000 was reached twice with another Ravensdale entry, Ravensdale Westward M035 selling to Marc Greening, Injemira Beef Genetics, Book Book, NSW. Ravensdale Poll Herefords averaged $15,500 for its team of four bulls, following from a strong average at Wodonga for a catalogue of 17 bulls.

Also making $22,000 was the Yavenvale Jibber J424 son, Kerlson Pines Keystone M004 offered by Mark and Anita Wilson, Kerlson Pines, Keith, SA, bought by Curracabark Herefords, Gloucester, NSW, and Dalkeith Herefords, Cassilis.

Continuing the success of South Australian studs on the day, Kerlson Pines averaged $9000 for four bulls, while Minlacowie averaged $9000 for two bulls and Allendale averaged $9250 for fours.

Rayleigh Monument M50 was sold by Jeff and Robyn Holcombe, Rayleigh Poll Herefords, Burren Junction, NSW, for the third top price of $20,000 to the Jeffery family, Eathorpe, Armidale, NSW.

Overall, Rayleigh averaged $14,333 for its three bulls, with senior champion, Rayleigh Magnum M009, making $16,000.

The National’s grand champion bull, Lachdale Mindblower M003, was sold by Greg and Lachie Scurr, Lachdale stud, Texas, Qld, for $10,000 to M & D Leader, Binnaway, NSW.

Among volume buyers was the Lethbridge family, Warren Point Pastoral, Mitchell, Qld, with five bulls to a top of $11,000. Chris Lethbridge said improved seasonal conditions in Queensland had enabled Warren Point Pastoral to take advantage of the sale prices at Dubbo.

• Beef Central’s regular spring bull sales coverage returns from Tuesday, June 19, providing comprehensive national coverage of the 2018 spring selling season. For marketing inquiries, contact Rod Hibberd rod@beefcentral.com or phone 0437 870 127.

Source: Herefords Australia