FOUR generations and 66 years of breeding Angus cattle finished recently at the Truro Angus final dispersal sale, held at Rodwells saleyards at Heyfield.
In 1948, Elaine Dennis began the Truro stud in the Seaton district, continued for 50 years by her son Michael and his wife Helene; and more recently by Richard and Elaine Dennis and their children Christopher, Scott and Kate.
While the original stock was based on Sarum and Bald Blair, the herd more recently featured outstanding Hazeldean bloodlines – with the result of the Dennis' cattle regularly topping markets. They also produced stud bulls.
The Dennis family's involvement ceased last Friday when two bulls and 300 cows and heifers were sold; but the Truro bloodline will continue, with a parcel of 47 cows and one bull bought by P&E Galvin Warragul.
"Peter Galvin bought these animals intending to continue the line," buying agent Doug Peachey said.
"They are outstanding stock and he believes it is worth his while to continue breeding them."
Mr Galvin purchased 30 three-year-old cows pregnancy tested in-calf (PTIC) to calve from July 10; 10 six-year-old cows PTIC; 10 mature PTIC cows; and a three-year-old bull.
Among the large crowd – more than 100 – of keen buyers and onlookers on Friday were a number of past customers of the Dennis family.
Volume buyers were from Port Fairy, Warragul and Bairnsdale.
The first four pens – all two-year-old heifers PTIC to calve July 10 – went to Port Fairy; topping $1200 each.
Bidding was keen throughout the sale, which realised a top of $1420 each for 12 three-year-old cows, in the first lot bought by Mr Galvin.
The average price paid for cows was $1098.
Four-year-old cows PTIC sold to $1300; five-year-old PTIC cows to $1220.
Six-year-old PTIC cows sold to a top of $1120; seven-year-old PTIC cows to a top of $1040.
Prices dropped below $1000 for older cows – eight-year-old PTIC cows sold to 880; nine-year-old PTIC cows to $860.
Two pens of unjoined heifers returned a top of $660 each, av $650.
They were bought by Gail Hoekstra, of Myrtlebank, who breeds vealers; Ms Hoekstra said she would join the heifers as soon as possible.
The two bulls sold to $2300, to total $4300. Linette Treasure of Castleburn was a surprised purchaser of the top priced four-year-old bull – she told Stock & Land she attended the sale not intending to buy.
The vendors were pleased with the results.
"These cattle are the Dennis family on a plate," Richard Dennis said, referring to a culinary standard. "Today's sale was superb.
"To realise $1200 for PTIC heifers and $1400 for PTIC cows shows great confidence in the industry as well as our breeding program and the cattle in general.
"We've always been proud to stand by our reputations, breeding sound stock."
"We wanted to hold the final sale at the Heyfield yards, because it's been part of our tradition," Michael Dennis said.
