TOP End producers are defying the dry, purchasing lines of quality bulls at the Rockhampton Brahman Week Sale.
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Paul Herrod, Ponderosa, Katherine, bought 10 bulls to average $24,200 over the three days.
Mr Herrod, who runs 10,000 commercial and stud cattle over his two properties, invested $90,000 to secure Brahrock Sherlock 5986 (IVF) (H), a 28-month-old son of JDH MR Boswick Manso (IMP) (US).
He also purchased a second bull from the Sommerfelds, Maryborough, outlaying $55,000 for 23-month-old Brahrock Tequila 6044 (H).
Mr Herrod said he would send his two top priced bulls to Rocky Repro for semen collection before they were used as single stud sires.
Mr Herrod, who produces predominanlty for the live export market, said the other bulls would be used as multiple sires going over about 500 cows.
Mr Herrod said it had been the driest season he had seen in the Territory since he moved there in 1987.
"This would be the driest season I've ever seen up in the Territory, we only had 100mm up at the house for the wet season, 90 per cent of the Territory is very dry."
Mr Herrod's daughter Amanda Howie was also active at the sale, purchasing seven bulls for her and husband Chris's business Hands on Agriculture, Bindaroo Pastures, between Katherine and Darwin.
Mrs Howie runs about 2000 head over their 5000 hectares, and has bred predominately for the live export market.
However, in the last two years she has started breeding herd bulls to sell and was at Brahman Week for the first time to expand the blood lines.
Mrs Howie spent a top of $12,000 to secure Token Knight 784/8 (AI) (P) from Tony and Kathryn Mortimer, Cotswold, Dalma.
"We were looking for more polly bulls, because a few of the people I sell to were looking for pollies," Mrs Howie said.
"There was a very good line of bulls put through and a lot of high prices, but stud breeders want to go on and breed better bulls because as soon as it rains, everyone is going to want cattle."
Northern Vet Services' Tony Haynes, Douglas Station, was also on the look out for polled bulls.
He ended up buying four to go into his herd of 12,000 on his 150,000 hectare property 150km south of Darwin.
Among his purchases was 22-month-old Token Knox 803/8 (P), bought for $45,000 from Tony and Kathryn Mortimer, Cotswold, Dalma.
Mr Haynes said he was expanding his operation to breed his own grey bull polled herd.
He said he was impressed with the quality of the sale, despite the difficult season.
"It was a really good sale, which is good to see. It just goes to show for the blokes that have got Brahmans, they are the breed that thrives in the dry times."
- courtesy Queensland Country life.
