*37 of 48 bulls sold to $10,500, av $5430
A NORTHERN Tasmanian Poll Hereford stud master, who has often gone overseas for his bloodlines, has finally found a bull he likes on his doorstep, at Quamby Plains, Hagley, Tas.
Andrew McLauchlan, Valma Poll Hereford, Whitemore, Tas, paid the top price of $10,500 for Quamby Plains Norseman NO51 (AI) (PP), sired by Wirruna Kalimna K326 (PP), out of Quamby Plains Moonbeam B345 (P).
"We've got a lot of good bloodlines in our cattle; we just needed something to meld it all together," Mr McLauchlan said.
He said while he went to the Quamby Plains sale every year, as it was only just down the road, he'd never bought one of its bulls.
Norseman, an August 2017-drop bull, recorded Hereford estimated breeding values of an eye muscle area of +2.4 square centimetres, rib fat of +1.9 millimetres, rump fat of +2.8mm and an intramuscular fat yield of +1.8 per cent.
The bull would be used in the stud, alongside previously introduced New Zealand, Canadian and American bloodlines.
Victoria Archer, Quamby Plains, said she was very pleased with the sale, considering the season, particularly the continued support from King Island, Tas, and Flinders Island, Tas.
"On the islands, they like to have good calving ease, but good strong growth as well," Ms Archer said.
"They are also focusing on carcase traits, like positive fat and strong muscle."
Jock Gibson, Roberts Limited, said the sale was a reasonable one, considering the season.
Nearly half the bulls sold at auction went to the two Bass Strait islands.
"They have been regular buyers, over the years - 15 bulls went to Flinders Island," Mr Gibson said.
Andrew Miller
I'm a general reporter with Stock & Land, with a special interest in irrigation issues. I completed my cadetship, with the Age, in 1980. Over my career, I've worked for ABC radio news (Mt Isa, Qld) and at provincial and suburban newspapers.
I'm a general reporter with Stock & Land, with a special interest in irrigation issues. I completed my cadetship, with the Age, in 1980. Over my career, I've worked for ABC radio news (Mt Isa, Qld) and at provincial and suburban newspapers.
