THE complete dispersal sale of the Old Kentucky Angus and Blonde d'Aquitaine herds was exceptional for a number of reasons.
It came as the stud was hitting its breeding goals, had secured leading genetics in Australia and overseas, was part of a vertically integrated beef operation, and it was also a campaign stop for the principals' son Daniel Andrews, who could very likely, according to polls, become Premier at the Victorian State election later this month.
"We have put together two wonderful herds, but unfortunately the sale has come many years before its time," Jan Andrews said.
She said she and husband Bob, who was unable to attend the sale, were pleased with how the sale went and the support from friends, neighbours and family in preparing and hosting the sale, as well as ring-side from repeat buyers.
In their Angus herd, of the 93 females (cows and calves, pregnancy tested in-calf (PTIC) cows and joined heifers) offered 90 sold to $6250, and average $2636.
The top-priced female was lot 42 Ardrossan Everelda Entense E25 E250 (TW). The five-year-old cow was sired by NAQZ125 Ardrossan Modest Z125 (AI, ET) and out of Ardrossan Everelda Entense A140 (AI, ET), and had estimated breeding values (EBVs) of +6.2 birth-weight (BWT), +17 milk and +42, +80 and +105 for 200, 400 and 600 day weight (WT). She was Developmental Duplications free by pedigree (DDFU).
Her positive EBVs continues in the eye muscle area (EMA) of +6.7 and intramuscular fat (IMF) of +0.4, and she had negative EBVs for fat (-1.7 for rib and -2.1 for rump). She had a lost calf born in February, and had since been artificially inseminated (AI'ed) to Jindra Double Vision and was PTIC.
She was secured by Yamba Angus, of Narrandera, NSW, who purchased another five Angus females that brought the av for the total six females to $4042. They also purchased two embryo calves, each for $1750.
For the Angus embryo calves, 46 of the 51 offered sold to $2750, av $1586. The top-price was paid for Old Kentucky Cross Country K116 (AI, ET).
There was a total clearance of the three Angus sires sold, av $6333. Dunoon Gabba G54 (AI, ET), a 3.5-year-old Tuwharetoa Regent D145 (AI, ET) son, sold for $10,000 to S&S Palmer, Wagga Wagga, NSW, who also purchased the second top-priced bull Raff Dazzler H33 for $6000.
The top-priced Angus bull had an impressive set of data: +5.3 BWT, +54 for 200 WT, +95 for 400 WT, +123 for 600 WT, +2.6 scrotal size (SS), +2.9 rib, +3.4 rump, +6.0 EMA, +3.8 IMF.
Of the 174 Angus semen lots offered, 170 sold to $45, av $33.
Dennis Heywood, Glenlock, Everton, was a volume buyer across the Blondes and blacks, buying a total of 15 females to $2500, av $1800.
"I've had all Angus cattle, but I thought I would give blondes a go and they were good value," Mr Heywood said.
In the Blondes, there was a total clearance of the 56 females offered, av $2137.50. JH&CM White, Kamarooka, secured the top-price Blonde female, Amaroo Bindi (D) for $3250. The low BWT (EBV of -2.4), eight-year-old cow had a nine-month-old heifer calf at-foot (CAF) and was PTIC to Corolin Polled High Five.
The White family also bought another Blonde female for $2750, and two Blonde sires, Corolin Daniel (D) for $3750 and Corolin Polled High Five (P) for $3500.
There were a total of four sires Blonde bulls offered, of which three sold, av $3683. MJ&CM French, Nimmitabel, NSW, bought Prospect Hill High Roller (H) for $3800. This top-priced Blonde sire was by Rahnik E Poll (P) and out of Rahnik Black E (P). The two years, nine months-old bull had a BWT EBV of -0.2.
Of the three junior (February and March 2013 drop) Blonde bulls offered, two sold for $2600 and $2500 respectively.
All four Blonde embryo calves sold to $1800, av $1525.
There were 305 Blonde semen lots offered, of which 238 sold to $35, av $12.
Queenslander Matt Westaway, Meridan Plains was among a group of buyers that travelled interstate. He bought two heifers to $2800, av $2150, for his family's Meridan Blondes stud; and secured two imported embryo calves for Bottletree Blondes, Cinnabar, av $2850.
"We've bought here before and it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to buy cattle with such a huge gene pool, particularly in the Blondes, which I think are beef's best kept secret."
"It was an emotional day, but we are pleased with the support and the way the cattle sold," Mrs Andrews said.
"Three were a lot of repeat buyer and they came from Queensland, NSW, all across Victoria for the Blondes and the Angus."