Spirited bidding by new and return clients showed outstanding confidence in Wallawong Murray Greys’ breeding program with 100% clearance at the 18th Annual Carcase Quality Sale at ‘Marriot Park’ Gunnedah NSW Thursday 2nd July. Several new milestones with the sale were achieved by principals Lachlan and Kate James who described the sale as “an awesome endorsement of our carcase quality focus”. 21 of 21 Bulls sold to a top of $20,000 and an average of $6666, reflecting the very strong competition for lots throughout the sale. 11 registered heifers were also sold to a top of $2750 and average of $2068. 6 commercial heifers reached $1700 each.
Impressive weights and eye muscle areas combined with finishing ease appealed to both stud and commercial producers with registered bidders from Western Australia, Queensland, Victoria and throughout NSW.
The $20,000 top priced bull was Lot 2 Wallawong Xyris LEJ J16, a 850kg Melaleuca Chaser son of elite donor cow Bundaleer Esmeralda A32. His raw EMA scan was 121 cm2 with fat scans of 10mm and 6 mm on rump and rib. Xyris was purchased by Southend Murray Greys of Katanning, Western Australia. Southend Stud Principal Kurt Wise travelled over for the sale and described Xyris as an exceptional sire in the flesh and a complete outcross to the Southend herd.
“Xyris caught my eye with the photo on the catalogue. He showed great strength of spine, exceptional sire’s outlook and softness. I was also very impressed with his maternal blood line with his grandmother still calving at 15.”
“On seeing the bull in the flesh I was impressed with Xyris’ softness, length, large frame, deep, thick body, sound feet and quiet temperament. He was a very complete package. I decided that he was definitely the bull that was going to complement our herd.
I am looking forward to using Xyris throughout our herd, giving a quality outcross option to our clients in the future.” Kurt Wise, Stud Principal, Southend Murray Greys, WA.
The second top priced bull was Lot 1 Wallawong Winchester who achieved $10,000. An Embryo Transfer calf by Lindsay Starbright S117 out of Mt View Valdawn, 950kg Winchester displayed a powerful carcase with great width of topline and a genuine B+ butt score. He possessed a raw EMA scan of 131cm2 and fat measurements of 9mm and 7mm on rump and rib. Repeat Wallawong clients PBR Properties, purchased the bull for their commercial operation and high quality beef business near Biddaddaba, Queensland. Owner Preston Richardson travelled down for the sale, also taking home the top priced registered heifer Wallawong Gale K63 for $2750.
Lot 7 Wallawong Xtra Modern caught the attention of many buyers, being the first Wallawong Ultramodern son in the catalogue. Ultramodern was the sire of the Grand Champion Carcase at 2015 Sydney Royal Easter Show and Xtra Modern was finally sold to phone bidder Ray Cross, Mackay QLD for $8500. Mr Cross also purchased Lot 5 for $6000 and a heifer for $2000. The six Wallawong Ultramodern sons averaged $6666.
After inspecting Wallawong bulls at the recent Beef 15 event in Rockhampton, new client and volume buyer Mitchell Clapham of Brookstead QLD took home four bulls for an average of $4750 and ordered more for delivery later in the year.
Wallawong stud principal Lachlan James said: “It was a great result. It was really encouraging to see new and repeat clients from WA, Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales compete strongly throughout the catalogue.”
“The strength of the sale was clear evidence that well muscled Murray Grey bulls producing progeny that meet MSA requirements are highly valued in the commercial beef sector.”
“Murray Greys are going from strength to strength and people are willing to invest in our best genetics with the right balance of carcase shape and quality.” Mr James added.
The registered heifers were purchased by a mix of stud and commercial buyers seeking quality females for their respective operations. Andrew and Sharon Gunn from Mundalola Murray Greys, purchased a heifer with an elite carcase pedigree – Wallawong Caldora K46 for $2500 to boost the numbers of their stud herd near Attunga, NSW. Stetson Park Grazing QLD, purchased 2 heifers to $2250 and a bull for $5500.
Local Somerton commercial breeder and long term Wallawong client, Julie Barnier, selected two heifers to a top of $2250 and a bull for $6000 while repeat buyer Michael Chamberlain of Nundle also purchased two registered heifers to $2000 along with six commercial heifers for $1700 each. Parsons Green Grazing, Glen Innes also selected two heifers to $2000 to expand their registered Murray Grey herd.
Fleming and Ross Gunnedah were the selling agents with guest auctioneer Paul Dooley doing an outstanding job on the rostrum.
Pictured above are Wallawong Stud Principal, Lachlan James with Southend Stud Principal, Kurt Wise with the top priced bull, Lot 2 Wallawong Xyris LEJ J16 and second top price bull Wallawong Winchester LEJ H66.
Further information:
Lachlan James 0402 839 373
Kate James 0402 838 462
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