Everything is in readiness for the second of the Mercer Family’s Summer Bull Sales to be held in December on their Kandanga Valley property.
The auction at Warravale on Saturday, 6 December, from 10am will present 65 Charolais and Charbray bulls.
John Mercer said the collection of bulls was as good as the family had presented.
Both of the Charolais and Charbray studs were established in 1988 and seen traditional winter sales.
This is the sixth on-property summer sale – initially they were held in January but the switch has been made to December to escape the heat and humidity.
“We’ve had some welcome rain in recent weeks in the area,” John said, “and the bulls have got a lovely sheen on them.
“They are clean, sleek-coated bulls that have stood up well in the past few weeks, despite the heat and humidity.”
“We will have 65 quality, beefy boys on offer that are ready to go straight to work. We believe this line-up is equal to any we have had the pleasure to present.”
There will be 40 Charolais on offer and 25 Charbray.
“They’ve done very well,” John said. “Great, actually.
“Cattle prices are fantastic at the moment.
“We got the most per head for fat cows and bulls at Gympie Saleyards the other day that we’ve ever had.
“The prices reflect demand from western Queensland and down south.
“Finally, they have got rain out west and down south.
“They are short of cattle. The rain has been a bit hit and miss but enough to give everyone hope.
“The Australian cattle market, at present is red hot. The US market cannot get enough of Australian beef. Other major clients too.”
Although spring has been a bit hot and dusty, there have been some nice storms and general rain across Queensland through November to give a start to summer crop growth.
The Mercers have invested heavily in polled genetics in recent years, and the results of their careful selection are showing with 39 of the bulls presented polled or poll/scurred.
John said Charolais and Charbray cattle selling season has also been very strong this year, with plenty of keen buyers around a pen of white or golden coloured cattle.
All the Warravale bulls are now semen morphology tested within two weeks prior to sale.
The bulls are expected to maintain that good soft muscling, plus bone and growth Kandanga Valley bulls are noted for.
