SCONE BULL SALE REPORT

Prue Bondfield & Deb Callinan with second top priced bull, Esprit (P/S)

BEEF producers flocked to the Scone saleyards last Friday for the second annual Palgrove Charolais Scone bull sale.

Solid bidding saw all 49 Charolais and Charolais/Angus hybrid bulls eclipse last year's $8500 top price and $6195 average, as they sold to $10,000 with an impressive $6245 average.

 The 41 Charolais bulls averaged $6378, while the eight Charolais/Angus hybrids averaged $5563, validating David and Prue Bondfield's decision to hold a sale for their Hunter Valley clients away from their home base at Dalveen, Queensland, where the major annual fixture is held.

"It was a very, very strong sale - stronger than I anticipated, because of how dry it's been in this region," Mr Bondfield said. "I guess a lot of people have sold weaners for good money, the beef industry looks strong, and Charolais-cross calves are performing very well in this region. "We had great repeat support and it was a great result - we're very happy."

Top price honours went to polled bull, Palgrove Echo (P), the heaviest bull in the draft at 910 kilograms and secured by Kevin Whelan, Silver Brae Charolais, Korumburra, Victoria.

Thank you to all buyers, agents and bidders for your strong support of the Palgrove programme. If you still require bulls before the breeding season, please don't hesitate to contact us as we have private sale bulls at our Ben Lomond or Warwick properties that are ready to join. Contact David Bondfield M: 0419 665 971

We'll be back at Scone in 2012 with another draft of market suitable Charolais and Charolais/Angus Hybrid bulls selected specifically for the Hunter.

Report by by Carla Wiese-Smith (The Land)