A HEREFORD bull has smashed a Northern Rivers Livestock Exchange (NRLX) sales record today when it fetched $16,000 at the annual Ramsey & Bulmer Bull and Female auction, $7000 more than last year’s top-priced seller.
The well-attended live auction, known as the white face sale, featured an outstanding selection of Santa Gertrudis and Hereford bulls and females, with vendors travelling from as far afield as Theodore, Queensland, and Little Plain, near Inverell.
Fifty five lots went under the hammer, with bulls averaging $7083.33. The top-priced bull sold for McPherson Herefords, Koreelah, at $16,000.
The top-priced heifer was a Santa Gertrudis sold by Gryanda Pastoral Co at $5000, with heifers averaging $4000. Top-priced cow and calf were Santa Gertrudis sold by Avalon for $6000. Cows and calves averaged $5000.
NRLX Operations Manager Brad Willis said today’s bidding indicated producers were still seeking top-quality cattle to rebuild their herds.
He said as demonstrated by the rising prices being paid per head through the NRLX over the past 12 months, demand for cattle remained high.
He said today’s white face sale was preceded by the regular Wednesday prime sale which saw 1077 head sold, resulting in just over $1.4 million for the day.
“We are obviously doing something right with NRLX cattle prices maintaining a level of strength over the past 12 months,” Mr Willis said.
“There’s a lot of confidence in the market and increased competition from restocker buyers has continued to support prices as producers look to rebuild numbers.
“It’s a good position to be in – people are buying better-quality cattle because they’re getting paid well for their livestock.”
Auctioneer Allen Ramsey said the sale was very successful on the back of a strong market and exceptional quality cattle, saying the Hereford and Poll Herefords sold particularly well.
Mr Ramsey extended his thanks to the NRLX team for its efforts in presenting the facility in excellent condition for today’s sale.
“McPherson Herefords, owned by George and Shirley Hardcastle, sold 12 bulls at an average of $9833 and led today’s sale,” he said.
“Rodger Kneipp, of Dundee Echo Park Herefords, sold six bulls, while Chris Whitney of Old Bonalbo sold five Hereford bulls at an average of $6800.”
Mr Willis said with cattle prices showing no signs of dropping, vendors and buyers could continue to rely on the NRLX to get best value for money.
He said an increase in the number of sales due to strong growth in throughput saw the NRLX move into the top 10 saleyards in the country, and number four in NSW.
“The NRLX continues to be a pivotal leader for the beef industry of northern NSW,” Mr Willis said.
“The facility has experienced really great prices over the past couple of years and we’re expecting that to continue for some time yet.”