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.

Amaroo stud principal Gerald Bergsma was very pleased his sale team’s sale results especially with Commonwealth’s. We did have a good number of pre-sale enquiries,” he said. “I had considered keeping him as a stud sire, but with no Breedplan figures he was an unknown quantity.”

The second highest priced Blonde bull, Amaroo Chuff, was a low birth weight heifer bull showing a lot of promise. The lengthy well-structured bull was sired by Baudin Xavier. With above breed average 400 and 600 day growth rates of +10 and +13, Chuff attracted a lot of interest from around the ring. Keith and Scott Gibellini, Manjimup liked the look of the thick-set sire and secured him for $8250.

Keith Gibellini and Scott are in the process of establishing the Kingsfield Blonde d’Aquitaine stud at the family’s Manjimup property. “Blondes deliver superior production and profitability; temperament, and low birthweight and calving ease come with it,” he said.

Amaroo Chunky sold for the third highest price of the Blonde bulls, with a price tag of $8000. Sired by Amaroo Xcitable and out of Amaroo Xtra Quality.

One of the most interesting features of the Blonde sale was the sale of Mr. Bergsma’s only Black Blonde bull Amaroo Black Boy. Weighing a thumping 940kg and with a huge butt profile, Amaroo Black Boy drew plenty of attention from the crowd. Sired by Amaroo Black Zipper and out of Amaroo Yo-plait, the sire was highly sought-after by bidders keen on giving him a go. K & M Farming Trust, Albany, secured the big Black bull for $6000.

Landmark senior stud stock auctioneer John Wirth said overall, the quality of cattle presented on the day was as good as ever offered. “The Blonde d’Aquitaine bulls sold absolutely brilliantly and the Charolais, without having any extreme highs were solid all the way through.

Written by Emma Robins Farm Weekly (Rural Press)