An increased number of stud and commercial buyers registered their attendance at the fourth annual Wormbete Simmental sale, on account of John and Nicole Hopkins, with invitation to Stuart Moeck and Samantha Gibson, Valley Creek Simmentals, Bowral. The sale was held on-property at “Allawah”, Illabo, on Friday, March 3.
(Pictured above: Lot 5 Wormbete Lincoln L85 who sold to Lucrana Simmentals for $20,000)
Bulls and heifers were sold to a full gallery of new and repeat commercial and stud clients as well as keen phone bidders. Cattle sold into four states with the two top-price bulls on their way to stud duties in Queensland.
Twenty-three bulls sold to a top of $22,000 and average of $7956 – an substantial increase on last year’s result.
Simmental heifers topped at $9000 for a total clearance of 23 head. Of these, 15 pregnancy tested in calf (PTIC) heifers sold to $7500 and averaged $4714, with seven unjoined Simmental heifers averaging $4857.
The purchaser of the $22,000 top-price bull, Valley Creek Legacy, was Doug Bradshaw, “Red Range”, Wandoan, Queensland.
Mr Bradshaw, who operates the Blue Dog Simmental stud with his wife Jan, considered the son of Valley Creek Joker, outstanding for his “good all-round animal appeal.” Mr Bradshaw said his new sire will be suitable to join with his current stud cows as a genetic outcross.
Valley Creek Simmentals principal, Stuart Moeck, said Legacy had been a stand out since birth. “We believe he was one of the softness, most impeccable skin type bulls around with a terrific sirey outlook,” Mr Moeck said.
Andrew Moore from Lucrana Simmentals, “Needham Park”, Texas, Qld, made the trip south to secure the second highest price bull, Wormbete Lincoln L85, for $20,000.
Lincoln, a son of Callendale Frank, was identified as a bull with terrific carcase attributes, structural correctness and the rich cherry coat his pedigree is noted for.
Damelee Simmentals, Gawler, Tasmania, secured Valley Creek Magic Mike, a son of TNT Top Gun, for $13,000. Major buyer Boomey Park, Molong, purchased six bulls, paying to a top of $12,000 twice, averaging $8416.
Black Simmentals in the sale had a 100 per cent clearance with bulls selling to a top-price of $10,000 for Valley Creek Upgrade with new client Glister Pty Ltd, Tamworth, securing him for their herd.
Commercial buyers were well catered for with Michael Crye, Oberon, securing two bulls to a top of $9000 to average $8000 and Spring Hill Pastoral, Wallendbeen, also securing two bulls to a top of $9000 to average $6500.
In the female lots offered, the top price of $9000 was paid for Valley Creek Wendy, sired by TNT Top Gun, by Luke Adams, Londonderry, who purchased three lots to average $5666, while Adam Sciberras, Country Style Simmentals, Londonderry, purchased two Valley Creek heifers for an average of $5350.
Each of the stud principals said the sale reflected strong interest in their Simmentals.
“We value our core clients and are extremely pleased to be able to supply top-end, sound, functional Simmental bulls and females to them at good, affordable prices,” Mr Hopkins said.
“Fifty per cent of the bulls sold for $6000 or less representing great value for commercial breeders. We were delighted by the strong interest of stud buyers who purchased from as far afield as Queensland and Tasmania to secure stud bulls and heifers to enhance their seedstock herds and were also pleased to welcome and meet both new and repeat commercial clients on sale day.”
Mr Moek said they were extremely happy with the support they received from clients and to sell a red bull and a black bull for top money to three leading studs in three different states was incredible.
Michael Glasser, GTSM, Patrice Vale, Victoria, controlled the bids, while Landmark stud stock, Wagga Wagga, settled the sale.
Article from Simmental Australia 