Time & Location
30 Sept 2024, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Blackall, Blackall QLD 4472, Australia
About the event
125 Red Angus / Angus / Red & Black Slick Angus Bulls
Digital Catalogue can be found here - Digital Catalogue
Angus Australia Data can be found here - Online Catalogue
Youtube Link to Individual Videos can be found here - Individual Videos
Supplementary Sheet can be found here - Supplementary Sheet
Stocklive link can be found here: Stocklive
Monday, 30th September 2024 - 11am
Welcome to Kurra-Wirra’s annual bull sale, where we are proud to present the largest and most even draft of bulls in the history of our stud. This year, we are excited to offer an exceptional lineup, featuring our most extensive selection of Angus bulls to date.
This year marks 18 years of Kurra-Wirra breeding Slick Angus and Angus cattle, with this being our 15th annual sale. Over the years, we have carefully crossed Senepol with Red Angus to develop a full Bos taurus animal that combines the carcass quality, maternal strength, and performance of Red Angus with the slick coat, heat tolerance, and parasite resistance. A driving force in our breeding program has been the ability to test for the hugely beneficial Slick Coat gene. This genomic testing, facilitated through Zoetis, has allowed us to dramatically increase the Red Angus and Angus breed content in our Slick Angus cattle while maintaining the slick coat gene.
The benefits of the slick coat gene are well-documented and widely researched. It contributes to enhanced milk production, increased grazing times, improved tick resistance, and overall better performance. This gene's effectiveness is particularly evident in managing heat stress, as cattle with slick coats can better tolerate higher temperatures. For context, the critical temperature for heat stress in typical cattle is often cited as around 27-30°C, making slick-coated cattle more resilient in warmer conditions. While maintaining the slick gene, each generation at Kurra-Wirra is becoming more Angus-dominant, with higher fertility, lower birth weights, and consistently improved performance.
Temperament is taken very seriously at Kurra-Wirra as it is an OH&S issue for the entire beef industry and also is highly correlated to meat quality and weight gains. All animals are tested for docility at yearling time and culled appropriately. Every calf at KW is birth weighed which we allow the cow to be protective of her calf but any hint of madness she’s gone!
Our bulls are bred from an 800-strong cow herd, raised under tough commercial conditions to truly test their genetic traits. This ensures that only the most profitable genetics remain in our herd. Female selection is rigorous, with strict criteria that include annual pregnancy, unassisted calving at two years of age, favourable temperament, sound conformation and structure, and strong genetic performance in birth weight, growth, and carcass traits.
At Kurra-Wirra, we focus on type and structure first, followed by above-average genetic performance – never in reverse. To achieve this, we extensively use AI with proven Angus and Red Angus sires, ensuring that we deliver the most commercially relevant and profitable bulls to the industry.
Every sale bull at Kurra-Wirra has undergone a thorough fertility examination, including a full crush-side semen motility test, palpation of reproductive organs, inspection of the penis for warts and abnormalities, and scrotal circumference measurement. These assessments were conducted by Paul Kenny of Paul Kenny Cattle Breeding Services Pty Ltd and we thank him very much for his time and efforts.
Presale Dinner: You are invited to a dinner on the Sunday before the sale at the Barcoo Hotel in Blackall. All Welcome. Please contact Simon Close on 0447715647 if you would like to attend.
Inspections are welcome anytime, so please contact Simon Close or James Lilburne if you require further information or assistance.
We look forward to seeing you on sale day.
Simon, Robert and the Close Family.
KURRA-WIRRA
Simon Close - 0447 715 647 | simon@kurrawirra.com.au
Robert Close - 0413 285 860 | robert@kurrawirra.com.au
AUSTRALIAN TOPSTOCK
James Lilburne - 0417 333 737 | james.lilburne@bigpond.com
AGENTS - FRAME RURAL AGENCIES
Beau Frame - 0428 221 623 | beau@frameruralagencies.com.au
Philip Frame - 0427 221 610 | office@frameruralagencies.com.au