Booming bull sales obliterate the records

Diana Wood, Marketing & Communications Manager

Angus bull sales across the board have been nothing short of marvelous, with 100% clearances achieved across almost all sales and averages north of $10,000 becoming an everyday occurrence, as this phenomenal spring bull selling season continues to rewrite the history books day after day.

In August Angus bulls held the majority of the market accounting for 74.4% of bull sales, with 3,017 bulls sold for a $14,409 average. While the first week of September saw 621 Angus bulls sold across 11 sales for a $19,801 average. Five bulls sold for six figures during this week, three at the Millah Murrah Angus sale, Bathurst, and two at the Milwillah Angus sale, Young. As at the 8th of September Angus bull sales across Australia for the year have seen 7,957 bulls sold from 145 sales for an average of $12,950. In New South Wales and Queensland where many of the spring bull sales at this point in time have taken place, the average sits at $15,246 for 4,516 Angus bulls sold in NSW and $14,272 for 348 Angus bulls sold in Qld.

Texas angus breaks two australian Angus records in one day

At the end of July, Texas Angus were the first to claim both the Australian Angus Record Price for a HBR Bull sold at auction and the record average at auction for an Angus bull sale. On a day described by breeder Ben Mayne as, ‘What dreams are made of’, Texas reached a total clearance of 181 Angus bulls for the record average of $20,967. Mr Mayne said that he had never seen anything like this sale before. ‘It was like firecrackers going off, bids were flying everywhere, and we had to set more spotters up to make sure no bids were missed’. The record top price of $225,000 was achieved on Lot 7, 15-month-old Texas Iceman R725 when he sold to Robert McKenzie, owner of Macka’s Pastoral and Verified Black Angus Beef Brand, Macka’s Australian Black Angus Beef, Gloucester NSW. In their catalogue the Mayne’s described Iceman as, ‘One of the widest, most heavily-built muscular bulls we have bred for a long time, with a huge back-end’. Something buyer Robert McKenzie clearly agreed with when confirming the bull will, ‘Give us something we’re looking for to put some serious power into our 3500-commercial herd operation’. Iceman was sired by Poss Maverick, who had 9 sons in the sale that sold for an average of $50,000. Genetics Australia have been tasked with marketing the semen from Texas Iceman R725. The previous record was set by Millah Murrah Paratrooper P15 at the 2019 Millah Murrah Angus Bull Sale, when he sold to the Cowan Family, Arkle Angus, with ABS Australia securing the semen rights. Millah Murrah also set the previous record average at their 2020 bull sale when a full clearance of 78 Angus bulls averaged $20,384. The day following the bull sale saw Texas come close to also breaking the record average for a registered Angus female sale, when they achieved an average of $13,374 for 107 Angus females. This record currently sits at $13,709, set by Millah Murrah Angus at their 2017 female sale, selling 234 Angus Females. Top price of $65,000 at the Texas Female Sale, was for Lot 26, five-year-old Texas Undine M508, with heifer calf at foot, selling to Boambee Angus, East Seaham NSW. Poss Mavrick daughters were also hot property in this sale with heifers sired by him averaging $31,000. According to Wendy Mayne, ‘The beef industry is on a high, there is so much excitement in the beef market and I believe that this confidence will remain for a few years’. ‘There are not enough females in the market at the moment and when you head north there are empty paddocks full of grass’ Mr Mayne added that, ‘The Angus breed is really powering on, a lot of people are restocking with Angus and Angus cross cattle, not the breed they had prior to destocking’. ‘And as such, the demand for quality Angus bulls is going to be huge this season as they want to buy the genetics to breed the next generation of cows.’ ‘One thing we noticed was that commercial breeders were challenging the seedstock producers for bulls at the high end of the market’

The Angus breed is really powering on, a lot of people are restocking with Angus and Angus cross cattle “ “

A: With the $225,000 top selling bull Texas Iceman R725, Kneeling – Wendy Mayne, Michael Glasser, Ray White GTSM, Ben Mayne, Robert & Jack McKenzie. Standing – Bruce McKenzie, Alexandra Lynch, Rodney McDonald, Bowe & Lidbury and Nigel Semmens, Genetics Australia, B: The $280,000 Australian Angus record top-priced bull with Elders agent Andrew Bickford, Bathurst, auctioneer Paul Dooley, Tamworth and Millah Murrah’s Ross and Dimity Thompson and their daughters Millie, Olivia and Twiggy. Image: Danni MacCue Photography.

And while the Mayne’s were excited to break the record average, they believed in the current climate that it was unlikely to last exceptionally long.

Millah Murrah sends records tumbling

Almost six weeks later the Mayne’s were correct, as the Millah Murrah Angus Bull Sale reached new heights, that saw those records set earlier, tumble. A new record top price for an Angus bull sold at auction, of $280,000 was reached, while a total clearance of 118 Angus bulls were sold for an Australian all breeds record average of $34,221. This saw the sale become the highest grossing single vendor bull sale ever in Australia, returning $4,038,000. For vendor Ross Thompson, the results are something he, ‘Cannot get my head around. The interest ahead of the sale was insane, so we knew something was on. But I am sure I won’t witness this again in my lifetime.’ Lot 11, Millah Murrah Rocket Man R38 reached the new record high price of $280,000 when Rodger Pryce, Brooklana Angus, Dorrigo NSW, represented by Ray White agent, Tim Bayliss, outbid the competition to secure rights to his new stud sire. Rocket Man was described by vendor Mr Thompson, ‘As a remarkable bull that should propel the Australian beef industry forward. He is probably the most powerful bodied Angus bull I have seen at that age (19 months).’ Sentiments Mr Pryce clearly agreed with in his intent to purchase the bull, having also purchased Millah Murrah Prue M4 for an Australian Angus female record of $190,000 in 2017. Rocket Man was sired by Millah Murrah Paratrooper P15, whom had 43 sons in the sale that sold to average just under $47,000. Paratrooper himself set a record high price at the 2019 Millah Murrah Angus Bull Sale. With ABS Australia having also secured the semen rights in Rocket Man. Not long after the top selling bull left the ring, Lot 13, Millah Murrah Rembrandt R48 also eclipsed the previous high selling record when a syndicate of ABS, Woonallee

Simmentals, South Australia, JT Angus, Scone New South Wales and Whangara Angus New Zealand purchased the bull for the sales’ second top price of $240,000. The $280,000 paid for Rocket Man claimed the record Australian Angus top price set at the Texas Angus Stud Sale at the end of July. Texas Angus also previously held the record average for Angus bulls sold at auction. The records broken did not end there. It is believed that the sale average is also a world record average $25,322 USD, having beaten the NCC Brahman Sale in 2017 where 76 bulls averaged $26,915 AUD ($20,025USD) and Schaff

Angus Valley in 2015 where 487 Angus bulls averaged $20,025 AUD ($18,440 USD). Mr Thompson noted that the market is red hot across all sectors. ‘It is significant for the Australian Angus breed in that context - right at the point where the US is looking to Australia for some genetic input. With orders for semen received it shows how the Australian herd is now perceived on the world stage.’ Millah Murrah Rolls Royce R275 fetched $110,000 setting a record price at auction for a true yearling (15 months and under) bull of any breed. The bull was purchased by Heart Angus in partnership with Hallmark Angus NZ and an undisclosed WA buyer. Millah Murrah also eclipsed their own previous record for the top price paid for an APR bull, when $55,000 was paid for Millah Murrah Paratrooper R250 by Grant & Lisa Norman, Spring Ridge New South Wales. The previous record was set by Millah Murrah Kingdon M192 when he was purchased by Peter and Terry Hanigan of Coonamble NSW in partnership with the Deans family for $27,000 at the 2018 sale. Strong selling Season Continues

As the spring bull selling season heads towards its close, it is easy for cattle producers and in particular Angus producers to continue with their optimism, given the situation currently within the beef industry. In mid-September the Eastern Young Cattle Indicator (EYCI) has hit record highs, sitting at 1027.45. While the results out of saleyards and AuctionsPlus are seeing record after record in terms of high prices. It is no surprise that the Spring Bull selling season has continued to break records and Angus Bull producers are reaping the rewards as restockers chase high quality Angus bulls to join with their females. The record average for Angus bulls came close to being broken at the mid July Bowen Stud Cattle Bull Sale, when 61 Angus bulls sold for an average of $20,082. The day following the Millah Murrah Sale, Milwillah Angus, Young New South Wales, experienced a total clearance of 106 Angus bulls for an average of $25,726, which would have been the record average 48 hours prior. Including the sale of 26-month-old Milwillah Slideshow Q102 for $130,000, purchased by Adameluca Angus, and 25-monthold Milwillah Blackout Q822 for$100,000, purchased by Yallambee Angus. In the middle of August Booroomooka Angus, Bingara NSW laid claim to the largest single vendor sale gross when they achieved a full clearance of 232 bulls for an average of $17,262 to gross over $4 million. The prices being paid for commercial Angus females by restockers have reached phenomenal heights and week in week out, high prices for Angus cattle are recorded at saleyards and on AuctionsPlus, and as Mr Thompson states, records are everywhere. ‘The Australian cattle economy is experiencing warp speed growth.’ ‘It’s akin to the wool boom of the 1950’s. Every star is aligned. The unusual thing is the mid-long term outlook remains bullish across the industry’. ‘What will happen when the world wakes up to the fact that cattle are the key! They convert grass to protein and assist with carbon abatement.’ ‘A drought could pull us all back to earth quick smart, but you have to think it looks a bit optimistic for a while yet.’

C: The $240,000 second top-priced bull at Millah Murrah with Paul Dooley, Tamworth, Ross Thompson, Bill Cornell of ABS Australia, Elders agent Andrew Bickford, Jane Thompson, and Josh Clift of JT Angus, Scone, D: 26-monthold Milwillah Slideshow Q102 sold for $130,000 when purchased by Adameluca Angus at the Milwillah Bull Sale. Image: studstocksales.com