DEMAND for quality Angus genetics has been high for decades with increased branding leading to more recognition from consumers
The Angus breed, which has 3838 registered stud and commercial members, has responded to that demand with improved stud and commercial operations.
It’s never been more important to invest in quality genetics, and even more so for stud operations which have paid record prices to secure the newest and most effective genetics for their businesses.
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Australia’s most expensive Angus bull, Millah Murrah Kingdom K35, who made $150,000 at the Thompson family’s annual sale at Bathurst in September 2015, has gone on to sire 1463 registered progeny from 86 herds to date.
The 19-month-old was purchased by ABS Australia along with the Witherswood, Gilmandyke and Ascot Angus studs, and attracted strong demand in his first few years, achieving the largest semen sales for any bull in the 2015-16 financial year, and being used in Australia, New Zealand, Finland and the UK.
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His initial impact was massive, but expected, ABS Australia product and sales manager, Bill Cornell, said.
“Of the top 100 bulls with progeny registered in Angus Australia of all time, he’s at 92 but he’s the youngest,” Mr Cornell said.
“Phenotypically, he was one of the most brilliantly made bulls we’ve seen – he had all those great Angus characteristics we really liked, and the maternal factor with his dam, Flower G41.
“He didn’t have the best Breedplan numbers, so some people were interested to see why there was so much attraction to the bull.
“At the time, he was only moderate for growth, but as we’ve gone through, he’s at +137 (estimated breeding value) for 600-day weight which puts him in the top one per cent of the breed, and his EMA is in the top 10pc.
“As his progeny has hit the ground, he’s turned out to be a bull with awesome growth and top EMA.”
Last year ABS leased two more Flower G41 sons – Marlon Brando M304, purchased for $40,000 and Navigator N312.
“She’s a magnificent female and these two bulls just stood out when we went to the sale,” Mr Cornell said.
Following the Witherswood dispersal, Kingdom K35 was sold on to Jeremy and Julie Shaw for use in their 1400-head commercial operation based at Injune, Queensland.
Strong maternal lines reap record results
BATHURST stud, Millah Murrah Angus, is also responsible for the highest selling females of all time, with the record Australian price broken twice in the same sale.
Millah Murrah Prue M4, purchased by Rodger Pryce, Brookland Angus, Dorrigo, sold for $190,000 as a 21-month-old PTIC heifer, sired by Coonamble H249 from Millah Murrah Prue F141, and in calf to Millah Murrah Proceed L237.
She was flushed twice at Millah Murrah before being brought home with her son, and now has a further 10 progeny on the way, six by Brooklana Emperor L29.
"We have nine confirmed pregnancies from embyros implanted into our surrogates here, and she's also pregnant again herself, which we want to do every year," Mr Pryce said.
"Prue M4 was nicknamed Princess at Millah Murrah and we've called him Prince. He was weaned at seven months and we may get some semen from him, then we'll offer him for sale this August."
Commercial females in high demand
RECORDS were smashed for commercial females in early 2017, when cattle prices were high and seasonal conditions were good for much of the country.
Commercial cows with calves reached a high of $4100 at the Monterey Ladies Day Sale, with the five cows, all with calves by Vermont Duke E193, selling to Rob Italiano, Harvey, Western Australia.
A new record of $3650 was set for PTIC heifers at the Boyanup Landmark Specially Selected Breeders Sale, with the Harris family, Treeton Lake, Cowaramup, WA, selling eight heifers to Michael and Frances Armstrong, Northcliffe, WA.