IN A fitting celebration for the event’s 50th year, the Wodonga Hereford National Show and Sale grossed in excess of $1 million.
Clearing 133 of the 143 lots offered, the sale averaged an impressive $7496, more than $500 above the 2014 result with 21 more bulls sold.
Long time supporters of the sale Andrew and Leanne Green, who recently relocated from Uranquinty, NSW, to Euroa, claimed this year’s top spot, and their highest price, selling Yarrandabbie Jingle J018 at $40,000.
The Pearce family, Yavenvale Herefords, Adelong, NSW, signed the cheque, continuing the tradition of selecting the best, with the family having also purchased the top-priced bull at the event in its inaugural year.
The 19-month-old Jingle weighed 862 kilograms with an eye muscle area (EMA) of 122 square centimetres and estimated breeding values (EBVs) of +4.5 for EMA and +79 for 600-day growth.
Yavenvale co-principal James Pearce said the bull had the performance data required, with exceptional birth to growth EBVs (+4).
“Largely an outcross to our herd, the bull is out of a proven cow family that has done well in the herd with one son selling at $17,000 and another two sons selling at $11,000,” he said.
Jingle was one of 44 junior bulls sold to an average of $7682, while 53 intermediate bulls averaged $7585 and topped at $30,000 — the second highest price of the sale.
This was for Days Carbine J141, offered by Days Whiteface, Bordertown, South Australia, and purchased by Yarram Park Herefords, Willaura.
Carbine was by the $90,000 record price bull Days Calibre G74. The 828kg reserve grand champion bull had EBV figures including +5 for EMA, +1.8 and +2.5 for rib and rump fat, and +48 for 400-day weight.
The Days’ other ribbon winners headed to NSW, with the stud’s junior champion bull selling for $12,000 to Barry and Lyn and Mathew and Kath Peel, Yukon Park and Tumulla Herefords, Tarcutta, NSW, while their senior champion was knocked down for $8000 to Ros and John Teschke, Josslyn Poll Herefords, Delegate, NSW.