When a stud has a long established reputation for quality, it is sometimes hard to see the ongoing improvement in its breeding program output. However at the Waterfront Premier Genetics Simmental sale last Friday evening at Naracoorte, despite some 20 years of success, the offering was described by Elders Naracoorte manager Larryn Gogel as the best quality Waterfront line-up he’d had the pleasure to stand over. That assessment was accurate according to most long term clients of the Hodge and Parker families.

The sale was quite solid and produced a good result in the context of the season and current economic outlook, but there was still a lot of room between the prices received and true value for the quality of the offering. From an observation viewpoint, commercial and seedstock producers looking for a genetic lift at good value will do themselves a disservice if they do not seriously consider this sale in their purchasing options in the future.

There were 30 registered bidders present this year who competed well for the cattle on offer; resulting in 28 of 31 bulls clearing to a top of $8,500 and averaging $3,455, while 4 of 6 heifers sold to $5,250 and averaged $3,625 for a sale gross of $111,250.

The top priced bull and heifer were significant individual highlights, but there was a lack of depth in the competition on a majority of the lots, meaning that many of the buyers received real bargains.

Gary and Joy Allen, Tugulawa Simmental stud, Mt Gambier were the successful purchasers of Waterfront Catapult C170, a 19 month old son of Woonallee Gladiator from Waterfront Zourella, a full sister to the stud’s top homebred sire, Waterfront Yalumba. He was a bull with great length, fleshing, softness and also had a super quiet temperament, weighing in at 820kgs despite his younger age. The Allens also purchased the second top priced Waterfront bull last year.

Artimore Props, buying through Elders Keith agent Jono Spence, bought well, picking up 2 top bulls for $6,500 and $6,250. The $6,500 bull was a top poll and the first son offered by Waterfront of new sire Bar 5 Expert.

Repeat clients, Bill and Elaine Sleep, buying through J&J Kelly, Warrnambool were also strong top end buyers, purchasing the top Yalumba son at lot 5 for $6,250 and later added a bargain buy for another Yalumba son at lot 24 for only $2,500. They also purchased a top young heifer at $2,500.

The volume buying strength in the Simmental run was provided by Matt Nicolle, Jockwar Station, via Tailem Bend and buying through Landmark’s Strathalbyn office. He purchased 7 great value bulls from $2,500 to $3,000 having also been an underbidder on some of the higher priced lots. He fully appreciates what the Waterfront genetics do in his program and added these bulls to the 4 he purchased last year.

MS Robertson, buying through John Elders Hamilton, purchased 3 bulls from $2,500 to $3,000, while the Marriot family, Murroka Pty Ltd, Bairnsdale paid $5,000 and $2,500 for 2 excellent quality bulls.
In the Red Angus and Composite bull offering, the total of 4 bulls offered were all purchased by Waterhole Pastoral Co, operating through Chey & Merrett, Millicent. They paid from $2,500 to $3,500, having also purchased 2 of these composites last year.

Six terrific young heifers were offered and 4 cleared. Stuart Moeck, Valley Creek Simmentals, Richmond, NSW paid $5,250 for lot 37, Waterfront Dorinda D39, a daughter of Woonallee Kaino A57, the $21,000 top priced bull at the 2007 Woonallee/Waterfront sale and out of Waterfront Angela M35, the Junior and Grand Champion female at the 2006 Adelaide Royal Show. Tom and Lizzy Baker, Woonallee were underbidders on this lot.

Operating via the phone through Elders Naracoorte agent Tom Dennis, Zantach Simmentals, Bendigo purchased heifers at $3,500 and $3,250 to round out a very solid sale result.

Showing his outstanding docility is Waterfront Catapult C170, the $8,500 top priced bull at the Waterfront sale. He is sniffing the hand of Waterfront studmaster Matt Parker, with very pleased purchasers, Gary and Joy Allen, Tugulawa Simmentals, Mt Gambier looking on.

Volume bull buyer, Matt Nicolle, Jockwar Station via Tailem Bend is with Waterfront studmaster Matt Parker behind lot 3; one of the seven Waterfront bulls he purchased on the day.

Stuart Moeck, Valley Creek Simmentals, Richmond is pictured with the $5,250 top priced heifer he purchased at the Waterfront sale last Friday at Naracoorte.

Sale Summary

Sale agents                  Elders Naracoorte
Auctioneers                 Leigh Allen & Larryn Gogel