• Wrap-up of the 2018 Tivoli Bull Sale

    Aug, 12 2018 Hugh Kraefft

    We are very pleased to report the results of our bull sale last Thursday, 9th August 2018 at the Merriwa Showground. While prices were reduced from last year, due to immense pressure from the relentless drought, there was terrific buying support. One of the greatest highlights for us was the custom from our local farming community. While we are living with uncertainty as to when it may rain, quite a number of our Merriwa and surrounding district farmers purchased bulls. A credit to their professional farming skills.

    We are grateful to Francis and Penny Buffier, our very capable agents, for their smooth handling of the day. They were ably supported by Tony and Heidi Inder and their son Harry. We are truly grateful to Rob Tindall, our stud consultant and our tireless Rick Porter for making things run like clockwork (particularly with Hugh unable to attend with hospital commitments). And we are very proud of our daughter Ingrid, newly graduated as a veterinarian, for stepping in, in Hugh’s absence, and wearing many hats on the day.

    It was wonderful to have Paul Dooley as our auctioneer. He was able to run the sale with the aplomb of an orchestra conductor.

    Special thanks go to Pat and Kathy Ryan our co-sale colleagues for their tremendous work in helping to facilitate the day. And to Kathy’s parents, Margret and Bruce who worked hard to support everyone on the day.

    Our top sale on the day was Lot 14, Tivoli J268 Jester M34, a Millah Murrah ET bull, sold to Wallings Pastoral for $8,000. Tivoli K83 Docklands M85 which Hugh describes as a “cracker of a bull” sold to Marcus Hadley of Rydal through Auctions Plus. The sale average was $4,500. Certainly down from 2017 but a splendid result in the conditions.

    Our top sale bull of the day, Tivoli J268 Jester M34

    Tivoli K83 Docklands M85, sold through AuctionsPlus 

    Our heifers were very well received and the 60 animals fetched an average price of $1,054, the top pen selling to Mary Hicks of Macksville care of GJ Kennedy & Co. at $1,125. The second top pen selling at $1,100 to B & B Roberston of Bowara, Wingham.

    Our last vote of thanks is to all the people who patronised our sale. Thank you so much for your support. It is very gratifying to see the community of Merriwa and the rest of the Upper Hunter Shire nurture so many resilient and professional beef producers.

    Thank you, Hugh, Annie, Ingrid, Oscar and Tahlia Kraefft and Tivoli Angus.