A FURNER beef cattle stud has again set a national record at one of its annual sales last week.
Woonallee Heaven Sent P4 sold on Wednesday for an Australian Black Simmental female record of $30,000.
Owned by the Baker family, Woonallee Simmentals last set a new Australian benchmark just two years ago when its Woonallee Los Angeles bull sold to Queensland interests for $160,000.
Wednesday’s on-site sale produced a solid result with all 54 females of offer selling for an average of $5556.
It is understood the sale-topper was many thousands above the previous high achieved by stud owners Tom and Lizzie Baker.
The 11-month old is reportedly heading to Queensland.
Thursday’s bull sale at Woonallee was attended by a gathering of 300 but it was disrupted by a technological hitch.
Mobile signal coverage was lost for two hours from 1pm to thousands of Telstra customers across Millicent and district.
The outage extended to Furner and the phone bidders and so the Woonallee auction was suspended after four bulls were sold.
The auction resumed after a 20-minute delay and the 100 lots were sold under the hammer with one exception.
The highest price achieved was $30,000 and this bull is heading to New Zealand.
In all, Woonallee offered 36 traditional bulls, 45 black purebred bulls, nine red purebred bulls and 19 SimAngus bulls at its 12th annual bull sale with over 100 bidders.
The average price for the bulls was $7102.
Before the start of the bull sale, Mr Baker addressed the gathering.
“Thanks for coming and I know it is tough and dry out there,” Mr Baker said.
“I am proud to stand up here and say we are presenting a really good line of bulls.”
Before picking up the auctioneer’s gavel, Elders agent Ben Finch said it was fitting to pause and knowledge the passing in 2018 of Woonallee co-owner Margaret Baker and retired stock agent Leigh Allan.
The annual Woonallee sale has always attracted buyers from most states of Australia and New Zealand.
Among them were Tasmanian couple Nathan and Leah Skirving who have been to 10 sales and who estimate they have spent $100,000 in this time.
Chinese couple Dong Zhu and Lily Xu have operated the Lakeside Simmental stud between Beachport and Robe since 2014 and were looking to again be customers of Woonallee.
Member of MacKillop Nick McBride was in attendance after spending the morning at St Anthony’s School in Millicent.
The fate of the Millicent saleyards was a talking point among local agents and graziers.
Furner grazier Tony Bateman said he has attended all 12 bull auctions and been a customer at most of them.
Mr Bateman is a distant cousin to the Bakers through their common Spehr lineage.
He said he was grateful for their family’s hospitality on sale day which included a complimentary lunch, dinner and beverages.
“It is a good social occasion for Furner,” Mr Bateman said.
“I know some come here just for a sticky beak.
“The Baker family is a strong part of our community.
“They are major employers with this farm as well as the Banksia Company native flower farm.”
Tyson Smith is a sixth-generation grazier at Rendelsham and the family farming enterprise purchases bulls from Woonallee and other studs.
Mr Smith said he was attending his third annual Woonallee sale.
“I want to see what comes up and what the bulls sell for,” Mr Smith said.
“It is a top day and there is a good presentation of the bulls.”
