Bullers ‘rejoyce’ at Murray Grey Premier sale

Monterey Rejoyce D44 had Gary and Julie Buller doing just that last week when the cow sold for a sale record $15,000 in the Murray Grey Premier sale at Wodonga. The cow and calf unit was a replacement lot, and the West Australians were pretty glad they included the unit by the end of the day.

Ayr Park Murray Greys’ Ian and Narelle Wilcox purchased the three-in-one unit, with the aim of building up their stock numbers. The Woodstock, NSW, based stud held its second on-property production sale in September and said purchasing good genetics had been paramount to achieving success. “We are selective of what we introduce into the stud and buy the best we can,” Mrs Wilcox said. “This cow caught our eye with her neck extension, correct structure and beautiful heifer calf at foot.”

Rejoyce was a five-year-old grey cow by Monterey Aslan and out of Monterey Rejoyce Y91. Her six-month-old grey heifer calf-at-foot, Monterey Rejoyce H89, was sired by Monterey Streamroller B140 and was as impressive to look at in the ring as her mother. The cow was also depastured to both Monterey Steamroller B140 and Monterey Megaforce D222, PTIC.

Breeder Gary Buller said she was a top-class three-in-one outfit with real breed character. Mr Buller had a sense of deja vu this year, topping the sale overall with a cow and calf unit, as well as selling the top-priced bull and heifer, in both 2011 and in 2012. He said the sale was a good chance to continue the push of his genetics across Australia and allow eastern breeders to see the quality of his program.

The Wilcoxs also purchased another cow and calf offered by Monterey at $5000, as well as two heifers from the stud at $3000 each.

The Premier sale saw a 73 per cent clearance and grossed $137,950, with the cow and calf units being the first lots sold. Twenty-one of 29 were sold to average $3429 and volume buyers in this section were Oso Murray Greys, Lavington, NSW, who took home five to a top of $4000, av $3000.

Oso principals Andrew and Amanda Kettlewell were also keen bidders in the remainder of the sale, buying two unjoined heifers to $1800, av $1550 and two bulls to $3000, av $2750.

Geoff Roberts of Wingelo Pastoral Company, Wagga Wagga, NSW, also purchased five cow and calf lots, paying to a top of $3000, av $2500.

Joined heifers saw nine of the 12 lots sell to a top of $3000, av $2472, while unjoined heifers also topped at $3000, with seven of the eight lots selling to av $2064.