Bar H female auction generates international interest.

Bidders travelled from all eastern states, with South Australians and Queenslanders accounting for the majority of the sales.

Headlining the sale were the six pregnancy-tested-in-calf cow and calf packages which went under the hammer to average $17,333 and top at $20,000 on more than one occasion.

It was the Cant family from Emerald who managed to secure the two top-sellers - BARFM1889, sired by WKSFM0139 World K's Haruki 2 (FB1614), out of GRSFG0190 Goorambat G0190; and BARFL1774, sired by WKSFM0164 World K's Michifuku, out of GRSFG0244 Goorambat G0244 - both with nine-month-old heifer calves at foot.

Managing director of Bar H Grazing, Que Hornery said he was happy with how the females presented and sold on the day.

"Being our first time, and with the unknown of a female-only auction was a bit daunting just to see if there was going to be any interest, and where that interest was going to come from, whether it was feedlotters or producers," he said.

"There were a few new faces as well as returning clients. Most people were adding to their Wagyu herd and a couple of people were just starting out. One hundred per cent of the animals went to a breeding program which was great."

Online bids flew in from all over the world, with people from the United States, Germany and New Zealand competing to take advantage of the quality Wagyu genetics on offer.

"The sale went really good. We had a lot of pre-sale interest, which gave me confidence on the day that the animals would sell and that they were going to be what the people wanted," Mr Hornery said.

The 30 PTIC heifers that were offered through the ring achieved an overall average of $7467, while the 223 unjoined heifers produced an average of $3469.

It was 24-month-old BARFQ2783, sired by DSAFJ1358 Darley Shigetaninami and out of BARFK1614 BAR H W1614, who topped the PTIC heifer class with a $11,000 bid from the Cant family, Emerald.

The Cants also managed to snatch up the two top-priced unjoined heifers, each at a $6000 price tag.

Elders Wagyu specialist James Matts credited the Hornerys on an exceptional sale, which resulted in good averages and a 100pc clearance.

"Bar H have had a couple of sales before with other agencies, but it was their first sale with Elders Wagyu," Mr Matts said.

"Que is extremely passionate, and has a drive to see commercial Wagyu thrive in central Queensland. Now, they're recognised as seedstock producers after 30 years of breeding quality Wagyu."

The largest volume buyers in Friday's sale were Peter and Karen Hancock, Roma, who purchased 75 head of unjoined heifers through the sale ring for an average of $3500.

"The Hancock family are new into Wagyu and are looking to build a substantial herd around the Roma and Blackall areas. Pete is highly respected in the meat industry around Australia, having worked for Thomas Foods International and Nolan Meats in Gympie," Mr Matts said.

"He and his wife Karen, and two kids, have made a commitment to invest in Wagyu and develop the family grazing operation around the breed."

BJ & AA Roughan and KB & L Zahl both purchased 60 head of unjoined heifers each, averaging $3313 and $2938, respectively. A total of 265 females were sold to achieve an overall average of $4253.

Related reading: