Quality bulls put Biara in the limelight
The Hasleby family’s Biara Santa Gertrudis stud, of Northampton, experienced a dramatic improvement on last year’s bull sale.
Selling 36 bulls out of the 43 offered for an average price of $2886, it was a different story from last year when just 15 sold to an average price of $2933.
To make matters even better, the $5000 top-priced bull sold to repeat buyer John Della Gola, of Northcliffe, who has had “terrific” results putting Santa bulls over Shorthorn and Hereford-cross heifers.
“We are getting more calves on the ground and butchers are very happy about the results out of the feedlot,” Mr Della Gola said.
The Della Golas bought six Biara bulls this year and will continue their program of crossing Bos indicus over Bos taurus for added fertility and hybrid vigour.
Also bringing much joy to the sale, a Queensland stud secured a bull through the Santa Gertrudis Associations’ general manager Martin Pentecost, of Brisbane.
John Hasleby said it was the first bull Biara had sold to a Queensland stud.
The buyer was Cyril Gauld, of Moonganna stud, Bethlee, who relied on Mr Pentecost’s better judgment in selecting an appropriate bull.
Repeat buyer and Wiluna pastoralist Jim Quadrio, of Granite Peak station, said 170mm of rain was partially the reason he bought a total of six Biara bulls to a top of $4000.
“We could use some more rain, but at least we are back on our feet,” he said.
It was Nullarbor pastoralist Donald Hogg, of Kinclaven station, which has had 343mm of rain since January, who really wiped off the dust for the Haslebys when he secured a total of 10 bulls with confidence.
Mr Hogg and his family run 2500 Santa Gertrudis Shorthorn cows and use a contract feedlot to value add for higher returns.
“This was the first time in nine years that we have had confidence to buy bulls,” Mr Hogg said. “The rain has been a welcome relief.”
Also getting a good soak recently was Minilya station, Carnarvon, which bought five bulls.
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