Farmer News
21 February, 2025
End of an era
THE last Hereford Bull Sale at Yarram Park took place on Sunday, February 16 on property at Willaura.
The sale was streamed through Auctions Plus, allowing more interstate buyers the opportunity to purchase sires.
Antony Baillieu addressed the crowd prior to the auction, stating how this sale ended a very proud 75 years of breeding quality Hereford Bulls.
“This is our last Hereford Bull Sale at Yarram Park, as stated at our Cow Dispersal Sale,” he said.
“The future direction proposed doesn’t include the complexities involved in running a Hereford Stud. They are a big responsibility – taking effort, time and love to make them successful. I will miss the challenges of breeding and growing the animals and the client contact.
“For those that have been on the journey with us, thank you for your loyalty and belief, without this we would not have had the direction.”
Mr Baillieu said it was a sad day, and thanked his family for its support.
“It’s hard to describe 75 years briefly. I am very proud of what has been achieved, I am proud of what is in front of us today; as all stud breeders will tell you, it takes a long time to get to where you want and when you get there, you need to go further.”
Mr Baillieu thanked his staff, both past and present, for getting the bulls to where they are and said how the local weaner sales stood testament to the Yarram Hereford genetics.
He acknowledged the challenges of the last couple of seasons on the stock, with a combination of the fires and the dry seasons.
“The bulls have been fed on silage and hay with very little pasture,” he said.
Such is the Yarram Park reputation for superior genetics, that semen has been exported throughout Europe, Canada and America.
The property was purchased by John Ballieau in 1948.
Under John, the place increased its carrying capacity sixfold to 10 dry sheep equivalents to the hectare.
At one stage, Yarram Park employed up to 30 staff.
Today, Yarram Park is an intensive and diversified livestock operation, running up to 30,000 sheep for prime lamb and wool production, including a stud composite breeding flock selling over 400 rams per year.
With no future for the Hereford bull breeding program within the family, the decision for a change in direction was made.
Now the remaining Hereford cattle will form a commercial beef operation.
Elders auctioneer Ross Milne and LMB livestock auctioneer Bernie Grant took charge of the sale.
The bull sale got underway with 58 bulls on offer and 42 sold, with a sale average of $8690.
The top priced bull was lot 2 – Yarram Emperor U117, Sire: Talbalba Emperor P043. Dam: Yarram Marinda Q239.
With impressive Hereford Group Breedplan EBV’s, this sold for $28,000 to Hugh Spencer of Ironbark Herefords, Barraba NSW (a family owned and run Hereford stud with a commercial cattle operation and an accredited feedlot enterprise).
Volume buyers were repeat buyers, including Broadlands of Lucindale with nine bulls.
Commenting after the sale, Ross Milne said the average price of $8690 was “unfortunately a sign of the times at the moment; it’s just a reflection of the season over the last 12 months.”
“I think seasons bring confidence in the industry and at the moment we are just sitting waiting for the next autumn break and rain in the next month or two. I think that is what is holding buyers back at the moment.”
Bernie Grant believed the presentation of the bulls was outstanding.
“It was probably the best group of bulls they have ever put forward,” he added.
The season and other factors have been very tough and unfortunately that has shown here today, but those who have purchased bulls will be extremely happy – but they will not be able to buy them next year.
“It is sad for the industry. Yaram Park has made a massive contribution to Hereford breeding but the Baillieu family will head in a new direction and go on.”
Pat Millear Group Officer and Sam King Deputy Group Officer of Westmere CFA group were on hand, as Lot 38 Yarram Emperor U050 was sold for $10,000.
The proceeds of this sale were donated by the Baillieu family to the CFA group in gratitude for the tremendous work done during the recent Grampians fires that impacted Yarram Park.
“Our Westmere CFA group was out here for two weeks prior to Christmas and over the Christmas New Year period, fighting the fires as they came out of the Grampians National Park,” Mr Millear said.
“Naturally, it’s what we do to help the community but it is wonderful to have the Baillieu family donate to our group like this.”
The Westmere CFA will decide where they will invest the money at a meeting in April, with Mr Millear saying it would go where most needed.
There is no doubt that it was a really tough sale and to be honest – it was hard to watch.
The quality of those bulls was absolutely outstanding and I marvel at how great they were considering the conditions on farm. They were solid.
Thank you for the industry input Yarram Park. You will be sorely missed.
