It was a day of milestones at the third annual Wandoan Santa Gertrudis bull sale today where one of the sale’s founding members topped the sale for the first time.
Among the sale of 55 bulls averaging $5872, Celia Mackay, Celamba Santa Gertrudis Stud, sold sale topper Celamba Felcon L503 for $26,000.
With a 39cm scrotal measurement and weighing in at 956kg, the 23-month-old sire was bought by Craig Hindle of Bullamakinka Santa Gertrudis Stud, Bungunya.
Ms Mackay said Mr Hindle was a first time buyer of the Celamba genetics but had a strong connection with his purchase in that the bull was sired by Bullamakinka Ferrari F188.
“The bull runs right back to the good Sentury bloodline which is where the Bullamakinka stud originally made its mark,” she said.
“He’s a naturally quiet bull that has never been shown and that’s a trait I really like to see in bulls.”
Ms Mackay said she aimed to breed the perfect bull and while she felt it was virtually impossible, she enjoyed working with Santa cattle for their versatility and overall performance.
“I’m pretty new to the game so I’m very thrilled with this result. I’ve only really been around Santas since 1998 and grew up around my father and his dairy showing endeavours,” she said.
“I started out on my own with the purchase of two cows out of the Tara Stud dispersal and sold my first bull in 2008.
“I’ve been averaging $5500 for a while now and today I’ve averaged $8625 so I’m over the moon.”
The Wandoan Santa sale achieved an 85 per cent clearance with a number of bulls selling back into the Taroom Wandoan region.
The second top priced bull, Valleyview Kirk, sold to R and HG Rohde of Clifton for $14,000.
Two bulls were purchased for $12,000 on sale day- KA Geddes, Telemond, Springsure, picked up a single sire, Triple S L66, while vendors Jamie and Allison Becker, Alkoomie, Taroom, also bought one bull.
Volume buyers were active at the sale with Don Stiller, Wandoan, taking home eight bulls for a total of $24,500.
Mayes Grazing, Chilgerrie Hill, Wandoan, found four sires to suit their operation and paid a total of $13,000 for a quality lineup.
Wandoan Santa sale president and vendor Jamie Becker said the sale had encountered a testing lead up on account of wet weather but the bulls had held up well and he was proud of the quality offering the seven vendors had provided.
Selling agents: Landmark and Elders.
