Blonde bulls have again topped the WA Supreme Bull Sale held at Brunswick Junction WA last week. The sale was held in scorching (42C) conditions on Thursday 25^th February 2010 at the Alan Evans selling centre on Brunswick Showgrounds.

Blondes were the first breed to be auctioned and their demand matched the weather, with the bidding being hot from the outset. With a 21 bulls offered and 20 sold an outstanding 95% clearance rate was achieved.

Blondes topped this multi-breed bull sale for the fourth consecutive year, a sale which had 163 bulls entered representing 9 breeds.  Blonde bulls sold to a very creditable average of $5950 over 20 bulls which is an outstanding result given that in the past there have never been more than 11 Blonde bulls offered at this sale.

Blonde cross beef continues to attract premium prices as witnessed at trade sale at WA's Midland saleyards on Monday. Blonde sired beef topped the sale in both the grainfed and the baby beef sections. In a time when the beef industry is somewhat subdued, the prices received by Blondes cross cattle entered into this sale was well into positive territory.

A pen of 12 months old grainfed Blonde cross steers received the highest pen average selling for $855 per head. They had a curfew weight of 475 kg and made 180 c/kg.

Shortly after a pen of Blonde cross baby beef steers nominated by Peter Beacham from Pinjarrah also topped the sale at $830 per head. With an average weight of 495kg they sold for 168 c/kg. One standout steer sold for $1015. He weighed 505kg and made 201c/kg. All steers were only taken off their mothers the day before the sale and were 10 - 12 months of age.

After incessant drizzly weather over the last few weeks the rain held off to give a perfect day for the Blonde Farm walk at Neil and Don Burton’s Durnbond property on Friday the 9th October. 

A large crowd took advantage of the fine weather to attend and hear presentations on the commercial advantages of the Blonde breed and the intensive grazing management practices used by the Burton family to improve their farm’s profitability.  There was also the opportunity to view the impressive cross bred calves produced by the Burtons which were sired by Blonde bulls and compare these to British breed crosses. 

Cross Breeding increases profits

Australian beef producers are currently experiencing increasing production costs on the back of price rises for both fertilizer and diesel. At the same farmers are receiving lower prices for their beef. Farm managers therefore need to make sound management decisions to ensure their enterprise remains profitable and may need to increase productivity.

The Blonde breed has continued their march into prominence in WA cattle industry achieving the highest average price at the WA Supreme Bull Sale 2009. Blondes were also the only breed to achieve a total clearance with a $7321 average received for all seven bulls presented.

The record price paid for a Blonde d’Aquitaine bull in Australia is now $14,250 following the breed’s spectacular performance at the sale. Amaroo stud enjoyed the best sale results of all vendors, with an average price of $7833 for their six Blonde sires entered as well as achieving the sale’s highest price for the second successive year.

The presence of Amaroo lot ‘Commonwealth’ was so impressive he made seasoned followers of other breeds sit up and take notice. His fleshy, well muscled structure and excellent temperament ensured he will be a force in years to come. The bull was bought as a weaner by Amaroo stud principal Gerald Bergsma from Queensland.

Competition between stud breeders and commercial producers drove prices past the $10,000 mark with no sign of stopping. After that point, two prospective buyers were dueling for ownership of Commonwealth. Phil Tomlinson, Albany, secured the sire just in front of Matthew Damon form Tynedale Farms for the sale topping price of $14,250.