One of Australia’s biggest Hereford studs disperses
Some of Australia’s top Hereford breeders bought at Yarram Park’s dispersal, but some thought prices should have been higher.
The Yarram Park’s two-day female dispersal sale drew whitefaced cattle fans from throughout Australia to witness 408 lots sell during the auction from 500 catalogued.
And while the result was described as solid, some buyers expected the noted cattle to sell for more.
A total of 110 registered buyers from all states were present, including those who chose to bid online through AuctionsPlus.
The Baillieu family established the stud in 1947 and it became one of the most prominent and largest-volume whiteface operations in Australia.
Elders studstock manager for Victoria and the Riverina Ross Milne said the sale was an excellent endorsement for 75 years of stud breeding, with many of the cattle not sold under the hammer sold following the sale.
He said it was a unique opportunity for buyers to secure seedstock genetics from the notable stud.
The sale came following the announcement made in August by principal Antony Baillieu that it was with “deep regret” that the family would disperse the stud.
In a letter to clients, Mr Baillieu said the family was going through succession planning and none of the next generation had “the passion or the understanding to manage a Hereford stud”.
This week, he told The Weekly Times the dispersal result was “OK”.
“We had a reasonable clearance and I think the result was indicative of where the cattle market is.
“I hope people went away happy; I suppose the vendor always wants more, but buyers I think would be happy with that they got.”
Reflecting on the Hereford breed’s position in the industry, Mr Baillieu said “there has obviously been a fair demise in numbers, but I think the (quality of) cattle is better as a result” and that demand for grass fed beef would sustain demand.
Looking ahead, Yarram Park would “stick with (commercial) Herefords, perhaps with a bit of crossbreeding” and the focus on sheep - the property’s main enterprise - would remain.
“Our stud was a relatively small exercise, to be really viable we needed to breed more bulls, like studs such as Te Mania,” Mr Baillieu said. “Running a stud isn’t a passive investment, it is a big job that takes a lot of time and resources.
“But it has been a good venture for us and we have had great support from loyal clients who stuck with us. We are very grateful.”
The dispersal’s top price of $22,000 was paid for a stud sire, Days Godfather R092 bought by B & G Hand Family Trust, Colac.
On the second day of selling, $18,000 was paid for a bull calf, Yarram Emperor V075.
The March 2024 drop calf was sired by Talbalba Emperor P043 from Yarram Marinda R043. Ironbark Herefords of Barraba, NSW, secured the bull calf.
Ironbark’s Adrian Spencer said the calf was an “outstanding animal, the best in the complete draft” and he liked his mother, and pedigree. “It is a very old herd so I am very confident the bull will breed on well.”
Mr Spencer said Yarram Park had been a major part of the Hereford breed and he “remembers my father buying from Antony’s father”.
“They have made a massive contribution, it is a sad day, but then again, a lot of people bought their genetic and those herds will benefit from the genetics in their operations, they will have a big boost.
“There’s no doubt they were a magnificent, even line of cows... I expected the sale to be a bit stronger really, but that country has been very dry.”
Overall, eight stud sires recorded an average of $16,875, with 49 bull calves returning an average of $2469.
In the female section, 52 cow and calf units averaged $4144 to make a high of $16,000, bought by Callaway Poll Herefords, Irvingdale, QLD.
In the PTIC heifers offering 69 sold to a top of $11,000 and $4130 average.
Seventy six heifer fetched a top price of $7000 and average of $2388 while, 150 PTIC cows made a high of $12,000 and average of $4233.
Mr Milne said the sale received strong support from throughout Australia.
“It was in line with expectations, and the vendors were happy with the support from fellow stud breeders,” he said.
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