A uniformly first-rate selection of Angus and Charolais cattle, bred from top genetics to target the MSA market have been catalogued for the Ascot Autumn Bull and Heifer Sale being held on-property at North Toolburra, Warwick, on Wednesday, April 10 from 1pm (Qld time).
Vendors Jim and Jackie Wedge have selected 30 Angus bulls, 25 polled Charolais bulls (12 homozygous polled), 38 Angus joined stud heifers, 26 joined polled Charolais stud heifers (12 homozygous polled), and 13 unjoined heifers for the sale.
"In what looks to be a buyers market at present, perhaps there has never been a better time to upgrade your bull battery," Mr Wedge said.
"All cattle selected for the sale are well grown and ready for work .They show extra fleshing, finishing ability, positive fat attributes and generally good IMF EBVs. They'll suit most grain or grass fed markets," he said.
Mr Wedge said the draft is as good as they've ever put forward and includes some exciting new carcass trait focused sires as well as tried and proven sires.
He said due to the extreme season they've only selected "top end bulls of the very best quality".
"We've selected slightly less bulls and heifers this year but they're of an even higher quality than what was offered in 2018. We've culled harder than normal to bring up overall quality."
Mr Wedge said they've purchased three new Angus stud sires which will have their first calves in the sale, including:
- Millah Murrah Loch Up (The $85,000 top priced Angus bull in Australia in 2016) with seven sons and 15 daughters
- The $20,000 Clunie Range Kahlua sire with five sons and two heifers
- The $30,000 K5X Legend sire, with one son
"Also, our tried and proven sire Ascot Hallmark H147 will be represented by seven sons and seven daughters.
"Hallmark sired the top priced bull in Australia last year at $54,000 and has sired the top priced bull so far this year at $48,000 which topped the recent Banquet Angus sale. His sons and daughters in this sale are standouts."
He said the Charolais contingent for the sale will also feature bulls and heifers of three new sires in:
- The homozygous polled Palgrove Kudos, purchased in 2016 for $40,000 will be represented by two sons and five daughters
- The homozygous polled Paringa Kilo Packer, which was bought for the top money at the Paringa sale in 2016 has five sons and one daughter in the sale
- The homozygous polled Rosedale Lump Sum, the top priced bull at the 2016 Rosedale Sale, with three sons and three daughters
"The joined heifers are by some of our newest sires and have been joined to some of the latest genetics available. Pregtest results will be available prior to the sale."
Mr Wedge said their 2018 Autumn and Spring sale results were "very solid considering the dry times".
In all, a total of 125 head were sold at last year's Autumn sale, with Ascot Maestro M538 (AI) topping the Angus bull section at $16,000, selling to Rob and Beth McKinlay, Austral Park Pastoral Company, Kabra, Qld.
Ascot Marvel M21E (AI) (P) also reached $16,000 to top the Charolais section, selling to Frank Sorraghan, Wagga Wagga.
"While the averages were down marginally, we only put forward top end bulls so we had full clearances.
"Our clients realise they need to buy high quality bulls even more so in dry times with reduced cow numbers to maximise returns from smaller numbers."
Mr Wedge said they're one of only a couple of Qld studs that use an independent assessor for structure and temperament. All bulls for the sale will also be semen and vet tested, vaccinated for tick fever, 3 day sickness, 7 in 1, pesti virus, and have tested negative for pesti virus.
Online bidding with live video streaming will be available through the Auctions Plus platform for those unable to attend the sale in person, and free delivery is being offered to many major centres in Qld, NSW and Vic.
"We'll also be donating a percentage of the sale proceeds to the Northern Cattle Flood appeal."
He said the sale draft is available for inspection any time from now by appointment, and from 9.30am on the day of the day. Complimentary morning tea, lunch and post-sale drinks will be offered on the day.
Hard copy catalogues are available now by emailing jim@ascotcattle.com.au or by calling 0419 714 652 or through sale agents Colby Ede, Landmark, 0417 265 980, Blake Munro, Elders, 0428 862 469, and Shad Bailey, Colin Say & Co, Glen Innes, 0458 322283. The sale catalogue and video of the sale lots are also online.