Top seller at Limousin national goes for $20,000

A 21 month old Limousin bull, one of the heaviest in the sale, has topped this year’s National sale, in Wodonga.

Garren Park Kandhar (PF) (AA), from the Hedger’s Garren Park stud, Culcairn, NSW  sold for $20,000 to Riviere Vue, Singleton, NSW.

A son of Icy’s Underpressure 43U, Kandahar was a class winner at the 2015 Melbourne Feature Show, returning estimated breeding values (EBV’s) of an eye muscle area (EMA) of +4.2, rib fat of +1.2 and intramuscular fa (IMF) of +0.0.

Kandahar was born in July 2014, has a scrotal circumference of 42centimetres and weighed 1040kg.

Auctioneer Kevin Norris, Landmark Albury, started bidding for the 2016 Limousin Reserve Junior Champion bull at $5000.

“You know he’s going to do it in a canter – he will do a phenomenal job, wherever he goes,” Mr Norris said.

“It’s been a long time since I have stood over a bull, with the capacity as powerful as this one.”

Garren Park Limousins, Culcairn, NSW sold the top priced animal to Terry Joy, Riviere Vue, Singleton, NSW.

Co-principal Karen Hedger said she was not “overly surprised” at the price for the July 2014 drop bull.

“He just ticks all the boxes for many breeders, in his length, his muscle, his figures and natural docility,” Ms Hedger said.

“I wasn’t overly surprised, because there has been quite a bit of interest in the bull, but when he labored at about $6000, I was getting very nervous.

“There was a bidding war, so I relaxed and was just delighted.

Ms Hedger said the Limousin was the number one beef breed in the United Kingdom.

“They just pass on their terrific carcase traits to anything they cross over, the only future is to increase their market share, as people realise they have this lean, healthy, tender meat, which they pass on,” she said.

Buyer Terry Joy said he wanted a polled, apricot animal.

“I have got too many black Limos and I wanted to get back to the 50-50 blend,” Mr Joy said.

Kandahar ticked a number of boxes.

“The package will compliment my herd, up here.”

Mr Joy said he ran a herd of about 30-40 breeders and sold privately, or at the annual Northern Limousin Breeders sale.

“I had an excellent bull a few years ago, and I just needed a worthy replacement -  I think the proof is in the progeny.

“I won’t know whether it was a good investment or not, until the calves hit the ground – but I am quietly confident.”

A sharp jump in the top priced animal and more stock on offer, resulted in an increased average and sale total, at this year’s National Limousin sale, Wodonga, Victoria.

​The total head of males, females and genetic packages offered was up by 24, the average jumped $313 and the overall sale total increased by $155,550 to $474,000.

Summit Limousin Stud, Uranquinty, NSW, had two top sellers, with Hayden Green recieving $15000 each for the junior female and junior bull.

The bull Summit Capital Gain K45 went to Alexander Downs, while Summit Cauliflower K34, was sold to Toebelle Limousins. Summit Currency K40, a junior bull, sold for $10,500 to J and A Maben.

Mr Norris, introduced Warrawinidi Black Diamond, Warrawindi Limousin Stud, Penola, SA,  by quoting judge Steven Pearce’s ring comments. Black Diamond sold for $12.000. He was one of two cattle from the Galpin’s stud to attract significant attention.

“Here’s a bull with great presence, great panache and great style – and I tell you what, he also has great length.”

The bull weighed 970kg and has a 38cm scrotal measurement,

Bidding started at $6000 and rapidly climbed in thousand dollar lots to $11,500, before being knocked down to buyer Brinsley Pastoral, Freeman’s Reach, NSW, for $12,000.

Supreme Champion Warrawindi Krystal Gem K15, with a five month old heifer calf at foot, was sold for $14,000 to Aruma Pastoral, Two Wells, South Australia.

The highest priced embryo package was sold by Birubi Limousins, for $12,600, to Brinsley Pastoral Company.

The sale was conducted by Elders and Landmark.