Bonanzaleading the way

Mar 15 2008 by Tom Patterson, The Journal

THE first ever export of a Charolais bull to Poland was made when Goldies Bonanza left Ruthwell, Dumfries for Warsaw, following a private deal.

Norbreck Exports facilited the deal for breeder, Hamish Goldie.

The 16-month-old Bonanzo was the first pick of an entry of 10 Goldie-bred bulls destined for the Perth February sales.

The remaining nine sold to average more than 6,000gns a piece.

“Bonanza was chosen for his all round exceptional conformation, ease of calving and good locomotion,” said Mr Goldie.

“He was also accompanied by a superb blend of genetics.”

Bonanza was the first son of Newroddige Venture, the Royal Show junior champion and 10,000gns Perth reserve intermediate champion.

Venture’s dam was the highly acclaimed Royal Show Burke trophy champion, Mowbraypark Gigi. Furthermore, Bonanza’s dam, Goldies Uptowngirl is one of five full sisters to the 25,000gns Perth supreme and Royal Highland junior interbreed champion, Goldies Unbeatable.

She is also from the same family as Goldies Banker, the 14,000gns Perth reserve senior champion.

“We are really pleased to be involved in the first exportation of a live Charolais bull to Poland, and we trust the breed will impact on the country’s beef sector, as it has in the UK,” said Mr Goldie who also clinched his the first ever export deal since taking over the family’s herd 12 months ago.

“This bull is following in the foot steps of both his sire and maternal grandsire whose semen has already been exported to Australia and Mexico.”

The purchasers, Rafel and Izabela Kapica who own Uniagro, a 1,750ha mixed unit based at Mazurowo, near Warsaw plan to run Bonanza with their 80 cow suckler herd which is scheduled to expand to 300 cows running alongside a 350 cow dairy herd.

Purchasing British Charolais was a natural decision, explains Norbreck Exports’ Philip Halhead. “Rafel Kapica was aware of British Charolais’ superior growth rates, together with the herdbook’s depth of pedigrees.” He also studied in Britain.