• Westholme Wagyu Inaugural Bull Sale reports

The inaugural Westholme Bull Sale was completed satisfactorily and safely on Friday April 30^th on property at Tarana.

The following two reports on this sale are reproduced from the Australian Wagyu Association Magazine “Wagyu Update”

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Article by Jon Condon

Strong result for first Westholme sale

Bidding support from across Eastern Australia underpinned a strong result at the inaugural Westholme Wagyu bull sale held in late April.

Twenty-four fullblood bulls sold to buyers from three states for a gross of $112,000, to average $4666.

The sale was the first in Australia where Breedplan EBVs were presented for Wagyu cattle – a move welcomed by breed supporters.  

Embryo transfer sons of Japanese-born Tajima sire, 003 Kitateruyasu-doi provided a highlight, producing a total clearance and including the sale’s top price of $12,000.

This bull, 30-month-old Westholme Terutakahara, was secured by far North Queensland Wagyu breeders, Jim and Jan Jones, Black Gold Farms, Ayr. He had within-herd EBVs of +0.4 for birthweight, 600-day growth of +13, milk of –1, EMA of +0.3, retail beef yield of +0.2 and IMF% of –0.1. His DNA test also produced a 2-Star GeneStar marbling rating. 

Another strong bidder on 003 sons was AgReserves, Kooba Station, Darlington Point, NSW, which bought the second top priced bull, Westholme Teruyamanami for $7500.

Peter Bishop, Kuro Kin Wagyu, Scone, NSW was also active, securing the 003 son Westholme Teruakitsuki for $6500.

Sale statistics showed that all GeneStar 2-Star marbling rated bulls found buyers at auction.

Stud principal Chris Walker said the Westholme sale would now become a permanent fixture on the annual stud stock calendar. Part of the marketing plan for next year included targeting Angus breeders seeking to extend their herd’s marbling performance through the use of Wagyu genetics. 

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