A WOOLBROOK family’s heifers stole the title for champion pen of weaners at the 2017 Virbac Weaner Challenge and Feature Sale, beating one of the best line-ups ever seen at Tamworth Regional Livestock Exchange (TRLX) and surprising everyone in winning a title usually awarded to steers.
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It was a remarkable result for Woolbrook graziers,Tony and Tania Haling, “Hillside Park” who make it four years in a row for the prestigious title.
In awarding the title, judge Jeremy Cummins, of Teys Australia, said that the Angus heifers were “a pen like no other, were exceptionally well bred and have a big future in the paddock”.
The Angus heifers were by Texas Angus and Pine Creek Angus sires out of big-framed Riverina bred cows.
They were sold by the Haling’s long-time agent, Ian Morgan Livestock, for $1440, believed to be a record price for weaner heifers in Tamworth.
They were bought by Sam Payne, Pitt Sons, Walcha on behalf of Joe and Sue Guerrini, Woolbrook which means they’ll be making their way back to the tablelands.
Mr Haling was over the moon with prices at the blue ribbon sale. His steers topped $1100 last year, compared to $1300 this year, and his heifers topped about $900 last year, compared to $1440 this year.
While the heifers were a unanimous choice for the top prize, Jeremey Cummins said that he “couldn’t split the steers” with two vendors tying for the best pen. “Warongah” Manilla shared the title for their Charolais x Angus steers with Paul Vary, Barraba for his Hereford steers.
The Warongah steers made $1360 and the Vary steers made $1290.
Tamworth Livestock Selling Agents Association president (TLSAA), Patrick Purtle, said the line-up of almost 4200 cattle was a credit to the vendors and one of the biggest sales ever at the multi-million dollar facility.
The sale grossed almost $4.6 million and averaged $1129 with vendors drawn from across the tablelands, slopes and plains.
TLSAA is now gearing up for its second feature weaner sale for 2017.
The Peel Valley Machinery Feature Weaner Sale and 4th annual Westpac Rescue Helicopter Tag A Calf sale “double header” will be held on Friday, April 7.