WA Limousin breeder James Morris found a new stud sire for his Morrisvale stud more than 3000 kilometres from home at Raven Limousin and Limflex New Gen second annual bull sale last Thursday.

L – R: Tony Wetherall, Elders Stud Stock, Jason, Penny and Heston Schulz, Raven Limousin and James Morris, Morrisvale Limousins WA (purchaser of the top price bull)

The 22-month-old polled red bull, Raven Red Jamiroquai J249 was one of the stand outs in the catalogue offered at the Waterfront sale complex near Naracoorte, and ultimately the sale topper at $7000. He was a fully imported US embryo- a son of Wulfs Titus 2149T and out of a unique cow family, Danh Miss Purple Passion. He had natural presence and the figures to match being in the top 5 per cent for all growth traits, scrotal, eye muscle area and the top 3pc or better for all four of the Limousin breed’s $ indexes.

James and his wife Casey from Donnybrook-who run around 80 stud cows-bought the sale topper in partnership with Mick and Trish Cabassi, Leipold stud, along with another black bull for $4000. “He is a complete outcross for our herd and I liked his softness and thickness. We’ve used a son of the Wulfs bull (Titus) and he has worked well with our cattle so I am hopeful he will compliment our breeding program really well,” Mr Morris said of the sale topper.

Vendors Jason and Penny Schulz from Field also rated the bull highly collecting semen for in herd use and retaining a two thirds semen interest.

It was the second year in a row their genetics had been pursued by studs with last year’s sale topper selling to a NSW stud.

The strength of the 2015 sale though was Raven’s growing commercial client base with a third of the catalogue going to new buyers. Thirty two registered bidders from three states packed into the stands to watch the stud on the move.

Twenty three of 27 bulls sold for a $4587 average- up $700 on 2014.

In the breakdown 12 of the 13 Limousins topped at $7000 and averaged $4792, while 11 of 14 Lim-Flex topped at $6500 and averaged $4363.

The Lim-Flex offering was the big improver reaching a high of $6500 for Raven Jamboree J55. The 19 month old sired by Wulfs Yankee K689Y and out of one of the herd’s leading registered Angus cows, was bought by Rivernook, Vic.

Despite the strong lift in average there was plenty of value for those looking to add carcase, growth and hybrid vigour to their herds.

Goldfinch Pty Ltd were the sale’s volume buyer securing three bulls for a $4333 average.

The Schulzs generously donated 20 per cent of the proceeds of Lot 1 to the Heart Foundation of Australia in memory of their Elders Rural Banker Don Jorgensen who passed away three years ago from a heart attack at just 48 years of age. The black purebred bearing Jorgensen’s name sold to one of Raven’s long time clients Neale and Gill Biddle, Meningie for $4000.

Mr Schulz was very pleased with the large number of new buyers, positive comments on the softness and depth of body of their cattle, and stronger interest in their Lim-Flex.

“The pleasing thing was there was no extreme highs. Everyone was satisfied with the prices-both us as vendors and clients who were able to access bulls at good value “We felt the depth of the pures and Limflex was better than last year so we hope we are continuing to make progress,” he said.

Elders stud stock manager and auctioneer Tony Wetherall said the passion and drive by the young couple had to be admired along with their marketing efforts. They were justly rewarded for their genetic investment with a large proportion of the catalogue either AI or ET bred.
“Buyers were getting unique genetics compared to what is around at other studs and they could buy with confidence with the great quality line up of good structured bulls with doing ability which also had the Breedplan figures- good birth weights, good growth, EMA and positive fat.”

All the catalogued purebreds were in the top 10pc of the breed or better for all four $ indexes and a range of economic traits. There was also a comprehensive range of information on offer including DNA test results for the Poll gene, coat colour and the F94L muscle gene