Keystone Limousin Genetics Tim Keys reports very strong demand for recently imported semen from Nenuphar and Malibu. Both are heavily muscled bulls bred in France and purchased as young bulls by British breeders so the semen was imported from the UK

Landmark agent Ashley Clark has faxed in some outstanding prices from Wednesdays sale at Moss Vale.

Offered on behalf of Bronwyn Murdoch "Roscrea" Moss Vale, the eight Limousin X Angus mixed sex vealers with a liveweight of 227kg averaged 222.4 c/kg returning a $751 average. The top price was for a three quarter Limousin steer vealer 340kg @ 238 c/kg = $809.

"This is a Moss Vale record for a consignment of vealers of this weight and supports the arguement that Limousin and Limousin cross vealers are market toppers" Ashley said.

Ashley Clark was handling the enquiry for 200 to 400 Limousin females which I circulated to this mailing list. In his fax Ashley reports that unfortunately the potential buyer has put everything "on hold" for now but will commence shopping in the winter.

Thank you to all who responded. There were more commercial high content Limousin cows and heifers out there than I expected. I will keep you posted.

The Weekly Times (Vic) beef feature this week includes a story on a butcher who runs a high volume butcher shop in a Melbourne suburb Chirnside Park. His staff of 30 serve about 5,000 customers per week. The butcher Frank Russo made the following comments.

Director Geoff Haack faxed in this week asking for "butchers packs" to be sent to a butcher in Caboolture (Sunshine Coast) and Burleigh Heads (Gold Coast) who he has been supplying with Limousin carcases. "They are both genuine promoters of Limousin beef" Geoff said.

White Lakes sold 15 bulls of 24 offered to a top of $6,200 and an average of $3,240 at Brunswick WA last Friday. Buyer of the top priced bull was Peter Kupsch of Tara Limousin Stud at Allanooka WA. Pat and Paul Williams were a little disappointed with the average and clearance for the bulls but sold all three females offered. Two cows for $2,400 and $2,200 and a heifer for $1,600. White Lakes will be major vendors of females in our National Show & Sale on 30th April.

In a very strong sale Donna Valley and partners had a complete clearance of 50 bulls at Holbrook NSW yesterday.

The bulls averaged $4,770 with a top of $7,200. The top priced bull was purchased by former Limousin Stud breeders Len and Wendy Carlson from Gympie QLD who still have a Limousin cross commercial herd. Prices will be on the Donna Valley web catalogue next week.

All animals sold in the Little River Dispersal Sale at Towoomba QLD last Saturday. Topping the sale at $4,100 was two year old Little River Weebola by Broadmeadows Tombola from Broambee Katrina M265 with her first calf at foot by Refstrup Tabias. This cow was purchased by young breeders Trevor and John Stephens of the Greenslopes Limousin Stud at Pittsworth QLD.

Little River Wondowra, a two year old heifer in calf to Myagah Lumberjack made the second top price of $3,500 selling to Robyn Nobbs of Ro-Maree Limousin Stud at Westbrook QLD. Top selling semen lot was three straws of Harvest Olympus semen sold for $1,000. Top selling embryo was by LBC Up To Date from Collian Park Fi Fi which sold for $340.

Sale Summary

18 Females with calves top $4,100 average $1,886

12 Females PTIC top $3,500 average $2,025

13 Yearling Heifers top $2,400 average $1,431

10 Weaner Heifers top $900 average $690

6 Yearling Bulls top $2,300 average $1,883

3 Weaner Bulls top $1,300 average $1,050

All prices for this sale will be on the web under Completed Sales in the Sale Catalogue section by this weekend.

The annual Tobias Bull Sale will be held on property at Forbes on Monday. Catalogues are available from Tom Edols (02) 6856 3154 or selling agent Kevin Miller on (02) 6852 3355

Champions at Royal Canberra Show

Junior Bull Newton Wood X Cathedra, G, A & A Williams

Reserve Junior Bull Eltham X Factor, Austin Steer

Senior & Grand Champion Bull Eltham Warlock, Austin Steer

Reserve Senior Bull Premier Captain X14, FJ & ME Geard

Junior Female Premier Vixen Y22, FJ & ME Geard

Reserve Junior Female Animu Xcite, Brisbane Waters Secondary College

Senior & Grand Champion Female & Supreme Exhibit Premier Exotic, FJ & ME Geard

Reserve Senior Champion Female Donna Valley Polled Mystery, G, A & A Williams

A pure Limousin steer bred by Richard & Heather Cole of Lachlan Dale Limousins at Forbes and prepared and exhibited by Brisbane Waters Secondary College at Umina NSW, was the Champion Steer at Canberra Royal.

The steer went on to be Reserve Champion Carcase just one point behind the Champion Carcase.

The winner of the Medium Weight Class and Reserve Champion on the hoof was a Limousin X Murray Grey bred by Alan Badior at Singleton and exhibited by St Johns College Dubbo NSW.

In the schools section a Limousin steer exhibited by Billabong High School Culcairn NSW was Champion and the Brisbane Waters Secondary College steer was placed as Reserve Champion by Woolworths Regional Livestock Manager Dennis Strachan. That seems to be a very clear statement that Woolworths are no longer concerned about cattle with more than 25% Limousin content. In fact they like them!

Robert and Marylin Bulley of Roma Park Limousins had a very successful showing at the Camden haven Show recently with the following interbreed wins
Breeders Group:- Roma-Park "Your Deal", "Yulestar"and "Royal Yasmin"
Pair Of Bulls:- Roma-Park "Your Deal" and "Yulestar"
SUPREME HASTINGS MANNING BRED SIRE. Roma-Park "Your Deal"
SUPREME BEEF BULL.Roma-Park:- "Your Deal"
SUPREME BEEF ANIMAL OF THE SHOW. Roma-Park "Your Deal"
All bulls were sired by the exciting new double polled bull "JCL Royal Flush" they reported.

I recently attended a farewell in Tamwoth NSW for Jack and Betty Ole from Bellata NSW who have sold their Dixie Stud cows and are retiring to the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. Jack and Betty were Limousin pioneers in Australia buying their first Limousin bull Tuarua Kahahi from New Zealand in 1975 and bred up to pure breds from a Hereford and Shorthorn base.

Jack was Chairman of NSW Region from 1976 to 1981 and served on the Board of ALBS from 1982 till 1989. During this time he was Chairman of the National Show and Sale Committee for three years. With her keen eye Betty judged at many shows including Canberra Royal and the Wangaratta Limousin Feature Show.

It was great to see some of the other Limousin pioneers including Bob and Jean Forsyth, Les and Margaret Alcorn and Tom and Fyvie Edols at the dinner. "This is your life" was presented by Margaret Alcorn and brought back many memories of the early days of Limousin in Australia for those present. We wish Jack and Betty a long and healthy retirement.

Yours in Limousin

Alex McDonald