An outstanding draft of 62 Angus and Charolais bulls have been catalogued for the Ascot Autumn Bull Sale taking place on Wednesday, April 1, from 1pm, at North Toolburra, Warwick.
Ascot stud principals Jim and Jackie Wedge have selected 37 Angus bulls and 25 polled Charolais bulls (18 of which have DNA tested homozygous polled) for the sale.
"With the genetics available now you don't have to lose performance with poll cattle as many might suggest," Mr Wedge said.
"Ascots' homozygous polled breeding and testing program for its Charolais herd means nearly every Ascot Charolais bull sold is polled, and of course all of our purebred Angus bulls are naturally homozygous polled," he said.
Mr Wedge said the Ascot approach to both breeds is to produce bulls with all aspects of MSA meat quality in mind plus high weight for age.
"Temperament, calving ease, shorter days to calving (fertility), quick early growth, fat cover and adequate marbling - are all covered in our program.
"This is reflected in the endless data we collect and our animal's EBVs."
Angus sires represented at the sale include Millah Murrah Loch Up, Millah Murrah Highlander G7, Ascot Hallmark, Coonamble Hector, Texas Global, Clunie Range Kahlua, Clunie Range Juno, SAV International and Nampara Liberty.
The sale will also feature sons of Charolais sires, including Ascot Juggernaut, Palgrove Kudos, Rosedale Lump Sum, Paringa Kilo Packer and Ascot Galaxy.
He said the bulls catalogued range in age from 20 month olds to two year olds.
"A number of the bulls suit heifer joinings and are identified in the catalogue."
Mr Wedge said with the weather looking like changing for the better this year, they have a more positive outlook compared to 12 months ago.
For those who haven't had any break yet we feel for you and we hope change is on the way.
"The beef industry is in a good space with demand still high worldwide so we all need to keep this in mind and keep looking forward to a very strong future."
At last year's sale 28 Angus bulls sold to average $6714, while 24 Charolais bulls averaged $7167.
Ascot Namesake a homozygous polled Charolais son of Ascot Juggernaut from Ascot Rebby topped the 2019 sale at $26,000, while Ascot Next Gen, an Ascot Hallmark son from Ascot Flower was the second top priced bull overall and the top priced Angus bull at $16,000.
The Wedge's are offering free delivery of any bulls purchased by Frasers Transport to: Emerald, Rockhampton, Goondiwindi, Roma, Toogoolawah, Casino, Glen Innes, Tenterfield, Inverell, Moree, Narraabri, Tamworth, Gunnedah and Dubbo.
All Ascot sale bulls are independently assessed for feet, structural soundness and temperament by accredited assessor Jim Green.
The sale lots can be inspected on sale day from 9am, while pre-sale inspections can be organised by contacting Mr Wedge.
The sale will be interfaced with AuctionsPlus with live video feed. Phone bidding is also available.
Mr Wedge noted that no heifers have been included in the Autumn sale draft.
"Instead we'll have Angus and Charolais joined and unjoined heifers and joined cows by breed leading sires available for private sale, after they've been pregnancy tested in late March."
For enquiries please contact Jim Wedge on 0419 714 652 or jim@ascotcattle.com.au, Colby Ede, Nutrien, 0417 265 980, Blake Munro, Elders, 0428 862 469, and Shad Bailey, Colin Say Glen Innes, 0458 322 283.
- The sale catalogue and video of the sale lots can be viewed on the Ascot website