Bulls to $11,500 at Monterey
From paddock to plate, the quality breeding at Buller family's Monterey stud at Karridale is gaining consumer appreciation.
At last week's annual production sale, Maxine Greville of Gingin Pastoral stamped this public confidence with the purchase of the $11,500 top-priced bull, Monterey Murray Grey Jurassic J99.
"The bull's calves will produce grass-fed-only beef for my family's Gingin Beef enterprise, which is getting direct feedback from farmers' market outlets in Perth," she said.
"We usually sell out of supply by mid-morning at Mt Claremont and Subiaco, demand is so good."
_Countryman _ visited Subiaco early on Saturday to find Mrs Greville's children, Georgie and Kingsley, taking in some brisk sales.
"The beef is aged for 20 days and we have been going four years with good repeat business," Georgie said.
Mrs Greville and daughter Penny were pleased to find a suitable sire this year to continue the quality production of Gingin Beef.
"This bull has positive fats, is showing excellent softness and has a wonderful temperament and will go over Angus cows," Mrs Greville said.
"We have been using Monterey bulls since 1999 and are having great success right through to our retail business."
Monterey co-principal Gary Buller said it was good to have the feedback on how well the stud's genetics were performing directly from consumers.
"Jurassic carries great depth, with smooth shoulders and softness to fit any market," he said.
Also performing well at the sale was Monterey Jetsetter J7, which sold for $11,000 to an undisclosed buyer.
These two top-selling bulls, lots one and two, were both sired by Monterey Bodybuilder and both were highly regarded at the sale, with active bidding from account WC BE & DC Avery.
"Our home-bred sire, Bodybuilder, has impressed many with its body type, carcase quality and superior balance and style," Mr Buller said.
"He has produced some of the best females in the breed and his sons sold well today."
Overall, 50 of the 52 Murray Grey bulls on offer sold to an average price of $5730, which was $974 up on last year when 41 sold for an average of $4756.
Another sale-topper was Monterey Jackaroo J162, which sold for $10,000 to JL & JH Porter of Donnybrook. Volume buyers included the Avery family of Nannup, securing four Murray Greys for an average price of $6812.
Darryl Avery said the beef industry is looking good at the moment.
"We sold 500 crossbred calves recently for 450c/kg dressed," he said.
Jason and Alida Parke of Lake Muir Prime Beef bought six bulls for an average price of $4625.
"We run a pure Murray Grey herd of 400 cows and are increasing numbers over the next few years," Mrs Parke said.
In the Monterey Angus catalogue, all 34 bulls on offer sold to a top price of $9000 and average price of $4875, on par with last year when 29 sold for an average of $4888.
Monterey Jungle Boy J53 was the sale topper, which was secured by account RA & A Maiolo & Son of Frankland River.
The bull was sired by Monterey Diplomat and the catalogue described it has having volume, with terrific carcase (intramuscular fat of 5.1 per cent and eye muscle area of 120cm) to suit any market.
Monterey Jeronimo J86 sold for $8000 to account Frank Tomasi of Karridale.
The 946kg bull was also sired by Diplomat and showed great growth for age, Mr Buller said.
Robert and Sharron Griffiths of Marawa Farms, Cranbrook, paid $7500 for Monterey Jarrah J136, sired by Vermont Duke E193.
"The bull is well grown, with excellent feet, and will go to work in our Angus cow herd of 160 breeders," Mr Griffiths said.
Eric Penny of Yarloop was back at the sale to secure the top-priced pen of five Murray Grey heifers for $2650 per head.
"The heifers had solid frames and were very quiet," he said.
Landmark said the sale brought good buying support. Agent Darren Chatley said the quality was reflected in the above-average prices.
Monterey Annual Production Sale *
Murray Grey J-drop bulls
Murray Grey H-drop bulls
