Sale preparations in full swing
IT’S been 17 years since the santa gertrudis breed took out champion of champions at the Brisbane Ekka.
President of the breed’s association Scott Ferguson said it was an exciting time for santa people leading into on-property sales.
In between organising his own multi-vendor bull sale and taking 90 head to show at the Brisbane Ekka, Mr Ferguson is helping the association’s new general manager settle in.
Stephen Ware took over the position from Ben Noller this month. Mr Ferguson, who was re-elected president at the breed’s annual general meeting at the Ekka, said it was a busy, but opportune time for Mr Ware to start.
“Stephen will be on the road for the next month and a half attending bull sales,” he said. “It can be a bit daunting meeting lots of new people, but after this he’ll more or less be in the office for the next 12 months.
“Santas have had an enormous two years sale results wise, results in feedlot trials and carcass competitions.
“We’d certainly like to see santas continue the reputation they’ve worked hard at for years.”
Mr Ferguson’s Santa Central Sale will be held on Wednesday, September 27, at his Headingley sale complex about 30 minutes south of Toowoomba.
There will be 25 classified show bulls, 85 classified bulls and four commercial pure bred bulls on offer.
Mr Ferguson and his wife Wendy have produced 19 bulls from their stud Glenn Oaks for the sale.
“The bulls are on the oats. Although it’s drying off, they will see us through,” he said.
“Harsher weather has pulled them into line, slowed them up a little bit.
“We planted on Cyclone Debbie and had good showers – 50 points here and 80 points there – so it’s been a good oats crop.”
At last year’s sale, two of Mr Ferguson’s bulls sold for $50,000.
While he said “you always hope to do as well” his sale still offered a range of prices for stud and commercial producers.