A total of 13 vendors from every mainland state of Australia, have catalogued an impeccable 92 lot draft for the inaugural Queensland Simmental Bull Sale taking place on Monday, August 2, from 10am at CQLX.
Classed as Australia's largest Simmental bull sale, the vendors offering drafts in the 2021 sale have more than 270 years of combined breeding experience between them, said Ray White Rural sale agent Paton Fitzsimons.
"These vendors have carefully selected sires to ensure all the bulls offered at the sale are at a standard desired by commercial producers," Mr Fitzsimons said.
"In 2017 a number of Simmental breeders saw the need for one Simmental Bull sale based close to the Fitzroy Basin. The sale provides buyers the opportunity to purchase all of their Simmental Bulls at one time saving on both travel costs and time while providing access to new and varied genetics," he said.
Mr Fitzsimons said the foundation vendors identified that sale conditions needed to be extremely tight to ensure that only the highest quality of bulls were offered and that ongoing participation in the sale needed to be based on performance (selling average and clearance rates).
"The sale includes bulls born and raised in Qld, as well as from high performing studs from other states. These vendors include some very well-known Simmental breeders. The sale also includes drafts from a number of significant commercial beef producers who have vertically integrated their operations to include their own Simmental studs."
All bulls in the sale will be vet checked, DNA verified to sire, mouthed (to provide an indication of age), semen tested (morphology testing optional), EMA, IMF, P8, rib and scrotal circumference measured.
All bulls are 8/8 registered purebred with the Simmental Association of Australia or Fleckvieh Association of Australia to guarantee buyers of hybrid vigour which is critical for a first-cross.
Mandatory (minimum) vaccinations for bulls in the sale are 3-Germ (blooded), 3-Day Sickness, 7-1, and botulism, and they must be tested Pesti-Virus free.
Mr Fitzsimons said strict instructions on feeding programs and desired weight were provided to all vendors to ensure bulls are not over prepared and are ready to work.
"Given the timing of the sale many bulls will be spelled prior to a controlled joining later in the season while others will go straight to work.
"The timing and conditions of the sale have been selected to suit Qld commercial cattle producers."
Clermonts' Finger family has been using Simmentals over high grade Brahman and Droughtmaster females in their commercial breeding business since 2007.
Frank Finger said the cross works perfectly for the family as they receive a premium at sale in the jap ox market due to the rapid growth and weight, ample fat coverage and the flat back provided.
"We've been so impressed that this year we're trialling Simmental back over first cross heifers," Mr Finger said.
"The Simmental-cross has also done extremely well for us at 100 day grain fed jap ox and trade steer competitions at the Clermont Beef Expo, where we've had four wins out of the five years we've entered," he said.
When the concept of the Queensland Simmental Bull Sale was first discussed with Mr Finger, close to two years ago, he immediately thought it was a great idea.
"The breed is numerous enough and in enough demand to warrant a large sale and I like the idea of having the ability to access a wide range of genetics at the one sale rather than having to attend numerous smaller stud sales."
He thinks having vendors from interstate is a strength of the sale.
"The majority of Simmental studs in Qld have sourced stud sires from interstate since the breeds inception into the country in the 1970s and many commercial producers regularly travel interstate to purchase their Simmental bulls today."
Mr Finger said the strict terms and conditions of the sale for vendors and bulls will be a great benefit.
"I've purchased bulls previously from a vendor in the sale and have been extremely happy with the results. I was also impressed that the sale performed an industry survey of over three hundred commercial Simmental Bull buyers to assist stud vendors in developing breeding objectives for years to come."
Online bidding and viewing of lots will be available via Stock Live. The sale catalogue can be viewed on the Queensland Simmental Bull Sale website.
- For enquiries please contact your preferred sale agent at Ray White Rural Blackall, Townsville and Gracemere
