Outstanding steers win title for Schmitt family

Virbac Weaner Challenge - Friday 4th April 2025

The Schmitt family, Buringal Grazing, Nundle have added a new name to the perpetual shield after taking out the 11th annual Virbac Weaner Challenge in Tamworth today. The 7-9 month old, Landfall and Rennylea Angus blood steers topped the sale at $1720 with agent, Marcus Bower from McCulloch Agencies saying it was an outstanding result for exceptional weaners. Buringal Grazing sold a total of 151 steers and averaged $1530/head  

The best pen of heifers was won by Etheridge Enterprises for 8-10 month old, Eaglehawk Angus blood weaners sold by Purtle Plevey. They topped the category at $1460.

 Ian Morgan Livestock was runner up in both the steers and heifers. Maria River Cattle Co, "Benditi" Walcha, won secnd second place in the steers with outstanding quality, 9-10 month old weaners by Dulverton and Maxwell Angus bulls out of a “tremendous cow herd”.  Tony and Tania Haling " Hillside Park" Woolbrook won second place in the heifers with their exceptional calves by Texas Angus bulls. Maria River Cattle Co won the title in 2023 and the Haling family are “ Virbac royalty”, having won the title four years in a row and been runner up numerous times. The Haling’s consignment of 135 heifers averaged $1250/head and 152 steers averaged $1315.

The market was very strong in a dramatically reduced yarding following rain, with top prices and averages well up on last week. Purtle Plevey agent, Michael Purtle says that buyers came from Queensland and western NSW as well as the local area with oustanding genetics on offer. He said you needed $1250-$1700 to buy steers and the heifer job was $150-$200 dearer than last week.

 A huge thank you to our major sponsors, Virbac Animal Health, represented by Jill Burch and Peter Baldwin, CEO of Australian Livestock and Property Agents (ALPA) who travelled to Tamworth specially for the event.