Article by Linda Mantova, Warwick Daily News
DESPITE continuing dry conditions throughout most of Queensland, the Ascot Angus and Charolais stud’s 4th annual bull sale at “North Toolburra”, Warwick, on Friday saw a total clearance of 102 bulls.
The top price of $30,000 was paid for Ascot’s star performer, Ascot Juggernaut, who won broad ribbons for Grand Champion Charolais Bull at both this year’s Brisbane Ekka and Beef 2015.
Two-year-old Juggernaut was by Ascot’s home bred Homozygous polled sire, Ascot Eldorado, out of a top donor dam, Palgrove Estella, and weighed in at 1092kg.
Trading as Manumbar Pastoral, Mr Mather said he had always wanted to become involved in the grazing industry, and bought into his pastoral holdings in 2005.
He certainly showed his confidence in the beef industry, outlaying $97,000 for eight Angus bulls, averaging $12,125, and in the Charolais catalogue, Mr Mather paid $78,500 for six bulls, for an average of $13,083.
With the $30,000 top priced Charolais bull, Ascot Juggernaut, were (from left) Ascot Stud principals, Jim Wedge and Jackie Chard, “North Toolburra”, Warwick, buyer, Nick Mather, Manumbar Pastoral, groom, Cameron Holliss, agent, Shad Bailey of Colin Say and Co, Glen Innes, Mike Wilson of Stud Stock and Blood Stock, Armidale, and Manumbar Pastoral manager, Miles Paterson.
Ascot stud principal, Jim Wedge, said he felt the success of the sale reflected a lot of confidence within the beef industry in both Queensland and New South Wales.
“I was very pleased with the result, considering the season is still very tough in a lot of places,” Mr Wedge said.
A first time buyer of Ascot bulls, Mr Mather also paid the top money in the Angus draft, outlaying $22,000 for Ascot Theo, a 25-month-old stud sire prospect, which came with 100 straws of free semen.
Out of a quality donor cow, Millah Murrah Flower, Theo was by Booroomooka Theo, whose semen is rare.
Mr Mather was the volume buyer at the sale, purchasing a total of 14 bulls to run on his company’s six properties, including “Lyndley” at Jandowae and Manumbar Station at Goomeri.
Manager of both “Lyndley” and Manumbar Station, Miles Paterson, said they joined 3500 females annually on the total aggregation.
“We run predominantly Brahman cross cows at Manumbar and Charbray cross females on Lyndley,” Mr Paterson said.
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“I’ve never seen a bull like him before – he was one of the best value sires in this industry,” Mr Mather said.
“I really like the Ascot product – they are a big soft bull with excellent feet, and we were very attracted by the Homozygous polled gene in their bulls.
“It is a tremendously professional operation, and no expense has been spared by Jim on quality genetics.”
The second top priced Charolais bull was Ascot Julius Caesar, by LT Rio Bravo, out of broad ribbon winner, Gobongo Juliette, which was purchased for $22,000 by Minnie-Vale Charolais, at Narrabri.
The Goodland family from Clare Charolais purchased Ascot Knockout for $17,000 to use in their stud at Theodore.
Other volume buyers of the Charolais bulls were, Balonne Plains Pty Ltd, “Balonne Plains”, St George, who paid an average of $4750 for four bulls, and the Packer family of “Hartwood”, Roma, took home three bulls for an average of $6000.
Volume buyers of the Angus draft were Logan Cattle Company, “Currajong Park”, Meandarra, who purchased six bulls to a top of $9000, totalling $42,000 and averaging $7000.
Wallangarra buyers, Greg and Errol Saxby, purchased three Angus bulls to a top of $10,000 to average $9333.
Repeat buyers, the Jones family of “Yullundry”, Glen Innes, took home three bulls for an average of $7000 each.
This year’s sale took a big step up with 40 more bulls in the catalogue, and Mr Wedge thanked new and repeat buyers for their support of a sale growing in stature every year.
SALE FACTS
Sale Gross: $715,500; average $7014.70. Total clearance of 102 bulls.
Angus bulls grossed $374,000, to average $7322.66 for 49 bulls.
Charolais bulls grossed $341,500, to average $6443.40 for 53 bulls.