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First sale adds weight to Charolais popularity

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Bob GarnantCountryman

The inaugural WA Charolais Bull Sale, held last week in Brunswick, demonstrated the popularity of the breed that has been developing over 40 years in Australia.

First introduced to the State in 1970, the European breed, synonymous with heavy weight gains, is turning heads and returning beefy profits.

Charolais Society of Australia WA region chairman Robin Yost said Charolais-sired calves were continually commanding top prices in sale yards.

"It was pleasing to see good buyer support at our inaugural sale," Mrs Yost said.

Charolais Society of Australia general manager Terence Farrell said with renewed interest from Europe for Australian beef, the Charolais was able to produce a higher and leaner yield which the Europeans were seeking eagerly.

The sale turned over 38 bulls at an average price of $4158 with most destined for commercial paddocks around the State.

Landmark auctioneer John Wirth said strong beef prices were enticing producers to lift their game and reinvest in highly productive working bulls.

The sale's good result was marked by the two equal $8250 top-priced bulls offered by the Yost family, of Liberty stud, Toodyay.

Rob and Lesley Millner, of Downunder stud, Wooroloo, paid top money to use the outcross genetics of the 958kg Liberty Future Direction (P) in their stud.

The other topper, Liberty Full Throtle (P), was bought by commercial producer Dean Ryan, of Bullsbrook, who runs a pure Charolais herd in Gingin and a mixed herd in Badgingarra.

"The pure Charolais have the advantage of higher growth rates and carcase yields," Mr Ryan said.

The Millner family also offered and sold eight bulls to a top of $5750 which was bought by Gabyon Pastoral, of Dongara.

Andrew and Judy Cunningham, of Blaweary stud, Elgin, achieved the $7250 second top-price for a 1015kg bull sired by French bull Ijoufflu and bought by SR & BT Brown, of Nannup.

The top average price of $5875 went to Jim and Belynda Quilty, of Elgin Park stud, who sold to a top of $6500, a bull bought by A Treasure & Son, of Brunswick.

Broome pastoralist Kurt Elezovich, of Country Downs station, bought Charolais bulls for the first time for his 2000-head Brahman herd.

"I am looking for more marketing options, especially now that Indonesia may reduce its intake of Australian cattle," Mr Elezovich said.

Offering led bulls for the first time after a long history of breeding Charolais, Bruce Campbell, of Cooara stud, Keysbrook, sold a bull to a top of $4000.

"We were one of the first to breed Charolais in the 1970s," Mr Campbell said.

WA Charolais Bull Sale * <table border="1"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left">STUD </td> <td>OFFERED </td> <td>SOLD </td> <td>TOP PRICE </td> <td>AVERAGE </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Downunder </td> <td>8 </td> <td>8 </td> <td>$5750 </td> <td>$4031 </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Blaweary </td> <td>4 </td> <td>4 </td> <td>$7250 </td> <td>$5062 </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Liberty </td> <td>7 </td> <td>7 </td> <td>$8250(2) </td> <td>$4964 </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Bellevue </td> <td>5 </td> <td>5 </td> <td>$3500 </td> <td>$3100 </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Kooyong </td> <td>8 </td> <td>6 </td> <td>$5000 </td> <td>$3875 </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Eagles Tor </td> <td>2 </td> <td>2 </td> <td>$3000(2) </td> <td>$3000 </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Venturon </td> <td>4 </td> <td>2 </td> <td>$5500 </td> <td>$5125 </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Cooara </td> <td>2 </td> <td>2 </td> <td>$4000 </td> <td>$4000 </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Elgin Park </td> <td>3 </td> <td>2 </td> <td>$6500 </td> <td>$5875 </td> </tr> <tr> <td>TOTAL </td> <td>43 </td> <td>38 </td> <td>$8250(2) </td> <td>$4158 </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>

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