Injemira whiteface bull smashes Australian Hereford record

Cattle breeders have spent more than $1 million sourcing genetics at a sale where a Poll Hereford bull has sold for a record-breaking price. WATCH VIDEO

UPDATE: AN AUSTRALIAN record of $160,000 was paid for a Poll Hereford bull at the Injemira sale at Holbrook today.

In a stunning display of support for whiteface cattle, breeders from three states spent more than $1 million in less than two hours sourcing genetics for their herds.

A group of three buyers — Ardno Herefords from Mt Gambier, Vielun Pastoral Company from Mudgee, NSW, and artificial insemination company ABS Australia — spent the top price of $160,000 on a sire whose genetics are set to go around the world.

Annie Pumpa and Bill Cornell from ABS Australia, one of three buyers of the top-priced bull, Injemira Redford Q287, which made $160,000; Injemira principal Marc Greening; and auctioneer Paul Dooley. Picture: Fiona Myers

Injemira Redford Q287 is a 17-month-old bull which had figures of +100 for +600-day growth and +8.5 for EMA and a low birthweight of +1.7.

The bull is also one of just six sires Australia wide to be nominated for the Hereford Super Sires program for 2021.

ABS beef product manager Bill Cornell said the bull “ticked every box we asked for”.

Injemira Redford Q287. Picture: Supplied

“He has superior EBVs, his raw data is right at the top of the draft, he looks really good, is DNA parent verified, genomic tested and genetic condition tested,” Mr Cornell said.

“If he was a black bull, he would have made $250,000 as there is not a black bull that can match his profile.”

Mr Cornell said he and his fellow buyers had no idea how much the bull might make but there were still three active bidders after the price reached $120,000.

Selling action as another bull is offered at the Injemira sale. Picture: Fiona Myers

“We will insure the bull immediately, then wrap him in cotton wool and take him straight to Total Livestock Genetics at Camperdown to collect him,” he said.

“We will collect semen to support tentative semen orders we already have from the UK, Europe and South America.”

Injemira principal Marc Greening said the stud’s core business was to breed bulls for commercial clients year on year but sometimes “a special bull came along”.

Pre-sale inspection underway before the Injemira bull sale. Picture: Fiona Myers

“It really is overwhelming to sell a bull for this much,” he said.

“It is equally rewarding to see clients who have been buying at all of the 50 Injemira production sales who are still buying here today.”

Mr Greening said he was excited about the beef industry’s future and especially Hereford cattle.

“It’s just the vibe about Herefords, with excellent results from the recent weaner sales where there was a preference for whiteface cattle,” he said.

The 95 bulls offered averaged $12,380 with the sale grossing $1.176 million.

The top-priced bull had estimated breeding values of +8.5 for Eye Muscle Area and +100 for 600-day growth.