A COMMITMENT to carcase excellence and tangible genetic improvements paid dividends for David and Prue Bondfield at their 33rd annual Palgrove bull sale, Strathgarve, Dalveen last Friday after three Charolais bulls sold to $40,000.
Overall, the Bondfield family sold 157 Charolais and Ultrablack bulls for a $12,080 average – up $1232 on last year – for a total sellout to mainly return commercial and stud buyers.
Sustained demand cleared the entire run of 100 Charolais bulls which included 91 polls – the largest draft of polled Charolais in Australia – which averaged $13,065. This result re-affirmed the Bondfields’ position as one of the leading sources for performance genetics of the 2017 Queensland selling season.
With over 150 registered buyers from all over Queensland, NSW and Victoria, the result was never in doubt given the quality of the Charolais bulls which were supported by outstanding carcase data. Their average scan figures confirm their ability to improve producers’ bottom line with EMA 133sq cms, Fat Cover 8 and 6, IMF 4.3 per cent with three Charolais bulls recorded their best IMF to date with over 6pc including yearling bulls.
Mr Bondfield said the sale result was fantastic given the season and appreciated the commitment demonstrated by his long term loyal clients.
The loyality of their ever expanding client base was remarkable with the Charolais average up $2403 on the previous sale as buyers scrambled to secure high performance genetics.
Long-term repeat buyer Len Bode, Percol Plains, McKinlay bought five genuine herd improvers for a $21,400 average paying up to the $40,000 equal top money for Palgrove Legacy (P), one of the first calves by Silverstream Holster (P) with moderate birth weight, huge rib eye and positive fat and growth traits. Mr Bode was operating through former Elders Toowoomba manager Leo McMahon.
Another of the regular buyers were Mark, Michael and Susan Hopgood, Hopgood Charolais, Enmore, Goondiwindi who have successfully based their stud herd on pure Palgrove blood bid $40,000 for the impressive son of Palgrove Hannibal (P) (RF) in Palgrove Legend (P (RF).
Mark Hopgood described Palgrove Legend as the perfect phenotype to breed bulls and when combined with his ability to lay down ideal fat cover, softness and tremendous body capacity he was the logical choice.
The other $40,000 top seller Palgrove Lustre (P) was bought by return buyers Loid and Zabby Appleton, Yarmina, Charters Towers who intend to breed bulls for in-herd use over their commercial Brahman and Charolais cross cows.
Mr Appleton said the high performance son of Palgrove Jacko (P) was extremely long-bodied, deep sided youngster which ranked in the top five percent of the breed for weight gain.
Other regular commercial buyers included Maurie and Judy O’Dell, Colorado, Jericho who bought four quality big, volume Charolais bulls with low birth figures for a $15,500 average to use over their Brahman and Charbray breeders.
Another Jericho district return buyers were the Arnaboldi family of Allanard Station took home nine sleek coated bulls for a $11,000 average to use in their substantial Brahman and Brahman cross commercial herd.
- Agents: Elders, Landmark and George and Fuhrmann