Buyers seek top genetics at Wodonga show and sale

Some bulls fetched huge prices while a large number were passed in today at Wodonga. See all the results.

A relative newcomer to the whiteface world has beaten established breeders to top the 58th Herefords Australia National Show and sale at Wodonga today.

South Australian-based Wild Bear Herefords, operated by Ben and Katelin Davies at Meadows, stamped its name on the whiteface world with bull Wild Bear Stranger, which made $75,000.

The horned Hereford bull, born in July 2021, had Breedplan figures in the top 15 per cent of the breed for a number of traits, including 600-day weight and intramuscular fat, and a birthweight of 5.7. The bull sold to Queensland operation the Galloway Cattle Company at Roma.

Mr Davies said the calf had stood out from the day it was born.

“My wife Katelin said to me when he was born ‘watch out Wodonga 2023’, and she was right,” Mr Davies said.

Wildbear Herefords’ Emma Davies from Meadows South Australia is pictured with lot 55 in the background at the Herefords Australia National Show and Sale at Wodonga. Picture: Fiona Myers

It has been a journey for the 2011-created stud, which has been showing and selling at the Wodonga fixture on and off since 2017.

While their original goals were to produce high carcass quality bulls with commercial relevance, they realised they also needed to ensure phenotype was perfect to gain the highest prices.

“You could have the best-performing cattle in the line-up here but if the cosmetics are not right, you get looked over,” Mr Davies said.

“We did nothing to compromise our original goals but we have just been more conscious of the phenotype too.”

Mr Davies said both he and his wife had long-term experience and history with horned Herefords and described a trait-leading horned sire as “like a unicorn”.

“We thought this bull was good but it is hard to know what will happen on sale day,” he said.

“To get a price like this is beyond our wildest dreams.”

Mawarra Genetics from Longford also had a stellar outing at the fixture, selling a bull for $60,000 with seven making $20,000 or more for vendors Peter and Deanne Sykes and family.

Deanne and Logan Sykes from Mawarra Herefords at Longford with the bull that made $60,000 at Herefords Australia National Show and Sale at Wodonga. Picture: Fiona Myers

Deanne Sykes said no one expected a repeat of last year, when their bulls averaged $38,000. She said the results were pleasing given the big increase in the offering with about 80 per cent more bulls at the fixture this year.

“What is really pleasing is the strength of the commercial support we had for our bulls with one going for $42,000 to a commercial breeder for his herd,” Ms Sykes said.

“Mawarra was started by Helen Sykes (mother of Peter) and she was at home watching the sale on AuctionsPlus.

“We have been coming to Wodonga for probably 40 years with cattle, and it is rewarding to think that the commercial buyers keep coming back and must show that their cattle are doing well for them.”

There were highlights in today’s sale but buyers were picky, spending on the best bulls while others were passed in without a single bid.

The catalogue listed 195 bulls initially, and there were 35 withdrawals before the auction started, bringing the offering down to 160. Of those, 47 were passed in at auction, giving a clearance rate of just 71 per cent.

Many bulls were also sold at the upset price of just $6000.

EARLIER

A bull has made $75,000 at the Herefords Australia National Show and Sale at Wodonga this morning.

Wild Bear Stranger S007 (AI) (H) was secured by Galloway Cattle Company of Cootharaba in Queensland.

It was an excellent result for South Australian vendors the Davies Family.

Mawarra Kentucky Bourbon S281 (H) sold for $42,000 at the Herefords Australia National Show and Sale at Wodonga. Picture: Fiona Myers

Towards the end of the catalogue Mawarra Valley S198 (AI) (PP) commanded a high of $60,000 for vendors the Sykes family of Mawarra Herefords at Longford.

The same vendors also sold Mawarra Kentucky Bourbon S281 (H) for $42,000 earlier in the catalogue.

Glendan Park Soprano S115 (AI) (PP) sired by Allandale Jackal P176 (PP) made $45,000 for the Trovatello family of Rosedale. So far 16 bulls have secured prices of more than $15,000.

The sale continues at Wodonga and is interfaced with AuctionsPlus.

Buyers and vendors gather before the sale at the Herefords Australia National Show and Sale at Wodonga. Picture: Fiona Myers