The family has bred whiteface cattle for more than 40 years, and principal Sam King said it was an exciting opportunity for buyers to tap into that stringent breeding program.

Both stud and commercial breeders seized that opportunity and 110 of 112 cows sold to a top of $28,000 and an average of $4005.

Forty five of the 47 heifers sold to a top of $11,500 and an average of $4089 and 65 of 72 heifer calves sold to a top of $5000 and an average of $1896.

At the bull sale, 41 of 47 bulls sold to a top of $9000, averaging $5415.

Ninety three people registered to bid at the sale and online through AuctionsPlus from throughout Victoria, NSW and into South Australia.

Overall 95 per cent of the females sold, and that percentage increased to 97.5 per cent when considering the mature females.

Janine and Jason Swayn, Purrumbete Herefords, Camperdown, paid the top price of $28,000 to secure Bowmont Silver Q F011 (H), whose sire line went directly back to Glendan Park Storm W134 (H).

Mrs Swayn said the cow, which had been artificially inseminated (AI) to Wirruna Justin J13, was a standout. They first saw the March 2010 drop cow during the Stock & Land Beef Week open day and were impressed by the cow’s shape and structure.

The Swayns also purchased her dam – the 10 year-old Bowmont Silver Q C006 (AI) (H) for $3500.

Other highlights included Bowmont Queen E157 (P) bring knocked down for $16,000 to Yarram Park, trading as Western District Pastoral Co, Willaura.

Overall, seven females sold for more than $10,000.

Vernon Robertson, Goulburn, NSW, secured Bowmont Silver Q K141 (P) for $13,000. 

Mr Robertson also bought Bowmont Queen F036 (H), a grand-daughter of Glendan Park Storm, for $12,000.

Bowmont’s Sam King said the family was very happy with the female sale, particularly of the 18 month-old heifers that produced an “extraordinary” result.

The top heifer price of $11,500 was gained by Bowmont Oyster Girl L076 (AI) (P) that was sold to Greenwood Herefords.

Mr King said they sold calves separately to give buyers more options – so they could buy the PTIC female, its calf or both.

Volume buyers took advantage of this, including Barry Hillbrick, Rainview Hereford stud, Coalville, who secured 28 females including 21 heifer calves (20 at the base price of $1500 and one at $1750) and seven cows (o $8000, av $3821).

Mr Hillbrick said he was looking forward to seeing the calves grow out as they were of similar breeding to the cows he liked for their overall phenotype, including good udders.

Thrya Pastoral, Thyra, NSW, purchased 12 cows av $2667 and eight calves av $1688.

E&D Lavis and Roseleigh P/L, Bungowannah, NSW, bought 14 cows to $3750, av $3054.

Gunyah Herefords, Cooma, NSW, secured a bull at $8500; three heifers av $4833; and nine heifer calves av $2444.

Bulls

The Paton family, Maranoa Pastoral Co, Tallangatta South, purchased Lot 1, Bowmont Conrad L014 (AI) (Tw) (S), for the top bull price of $9000.

The 19-month-old bull that was by Yambro Conrad B88 (P) and out of Bowmont Silver Q F011 (H), which later topped the female sale.

The 828kg bull’s EBVs included 32kg for 200-day weight and +62kg for 400-day weight – with this figure for 400-day being in the top 10 per cent of the breed for 2015-drop calves.

The Patons purchased another Yambro Conrad son for $7000.

Three bulls sold for at $8500 – one young sire each was knocked down to Timberland Pastoral Co, Tallangatta South, and Gunyah Herefords, Cooma, NSW; and proven sire Allendale Waterford J172 (P) was sold to Stephen Beaton, Wootong Vale.

Volume bull buyers included Blackwell Pastoral, Dunkeld, which bought five bulls to $7000, av $5200; and K.J. Upton, Casterton, who bought four bulls to $5500, av $4500.

Mr King said he was proud of the quality, even draft of sale bulls that was offered, and while the clearance was solid, the average price was lower than last year.