BRAFORD GENETICS MAKING THEIR WAY SOUTH
One of the standout stories from this year’s National Braford Sale wasn’t just the prices achieved in the ring, it was where the bulls are now heading.
Queensland Country Life has crunched the sale data and found that 21 of the bulls sold at Gracemere will be heading into New South Wales, with buyers taking Braford genetics into a wide range of environments.
From as far west as Hermidale, east to Koonorigan and as far south as Parkes, these bulls will be joining herds well outside the traditional northern Braford country. For a breed that has built its reputation in the hotter northern regions of Australia, seeing Braford genetics being sought after in cooler and drier parts of NSW is a great reflection of the adaptability of the breed.
Brafords have the ability to perform across a broad range of environments and production systems, and the demand from southern buyers is another indication that producers are recognising what the breed can offer beyond the tropics.
There were approximately 53 successful buyers from 89 registered bidders attending the sale in person, with another 11 buyers purchasing online. Bulls were also heading in the opposite direction, with purchases going as far north-west as Julia Creek and Richmond. The largest number of bulls went to Rolleston, with 16 head, followed by St George with 13 head, but it was the movement of genetics south into NSW that really stood out.
Across the 192 bulls offered, the average age was 28.9 months, with an average scrotal circumference of 39cm, motility of 78.5 per cent and morphology of 79.9 per cent. The catalogue averaged 864kg, with an average eye muscle area of 131cm², P8 fat of 13.7mm, rib fat of 9.4mm and intramuscular fat of 5.39 per cent.
Of the 161 bulls sold, the average price was $11,593, with a median of $8,000. The largest portion of the offering, 55 bulls or 34 per cent, sold between $7,000 and $10,000.
With Braford bulls now heading into properties from northern Queensland right through to central and western NSW, it is great to see the breed’s versatility being recognised across such a broad geographical area.
The National Braford Sale isn’t just moving bulls, it’s moving Braford genetics into new country.
Image Source Queensland Country Life
