World-record prices claimed for Speckle Park cattle at Blueprint Opportunity Sale

Frenzied bidding has resulted in three world record prices being claimed at a Victorian sale. SEE WHAT THEY FETCHED

Jack Nelson, Jackungah Speckle Park at Pine Lodge, with heifer Jackungah Koda, which sold at the Pine Lodge sale on Friday. Picture: Jenny Kelly

Victorian studs are claiming world record prices for Speckle Park cattle after a catalogue of female genetics sold to frenzied demand last week to reach $57,000.

Showcased as the Blueprint Opportunity Sale, four studs offered breeding females and embryo packages at an on-farm sale at Pine Grove in the Goulburn Valley on Friday.

A cow and calf outfit from Jackungah Speckle Park, operated by Jack Nelson and his father Sam Nelson, sold for $57,000 to Gavin Lang of Mansfield, to be touted as the highest price in the world for the breed.

Another record was claimed by the Hanging Rock stud after it offered a full flush to its leading cow Hanging Rock Heather which sold for $32,000.

Later in the sale embryos sold to $5500, also a new level for the breed, according to auctioneer Michael Glasser, from Ray White GTSM.

“It was quite a spectacular night — those three sales are being claimed as world records for Speckle Park cattle,” he said.

Overall results for the sale were:

26 heifers and breeding outfits averaged $18,807;

11 bulls sold to $18,000 and averaged $11,500; and

Embryos averaged $2470.

Selling agents estimated more than 300 people attended the auction, and in addition to this 200 potential bidders tuned in online.

Mr Glasser said the sale results being achieved showed Speckle Park cattle were gaining commercial relevance.

“When you look at the bulls they averaged over $11,000 which puts them on par with the other major breed averages seen this season, and there is clearly an acceptance and commercial relevance out there,” he said.

Local cattle breeder Jason Hayes, Invergordon, spent $36,000 on two animals and said he was convinced the breed had a long-term future. He paid the top price of $18,000 for a bull, and $18,000 for a pregnancy-tested-in-calf heifer. They will form the basis of a new stud for Mr Hayes who is also a Jersey and Angus breeder, and operates Sonic Bovine Reproduction in the Goulburn Valley.

“I’ve been aware of the Speckle Park breed for awhile now, and while I’ve heard people say over the years that the ‘bubble is going to bust’ it hasn’t and interest in the cattle seems to be growing and growing,” he said.