2024 Bull Sale
The Land Newspaper – Livestock, Thursday September 12, 2024, page 87
Blistering average is set
Millah Murrah Eclipses the rest
By Rebecca Nadge
MILLAH Murrah Angus has belied the market and set the standard for this season’s studstock sales, selling all 123 bulls to a top of $140,000 and a cracking $27,227 average.
In the breakdown, the Bathurst stud sold 33 yearling bulls to a top of $140,000, averaging $32,727, 75 18-month-olds to a $70,000 top to average $25,453, and 15 two-year-olds sold to $70,000 averaging $24,000.
There was a flurry of bids early on – the first 10 bulls averaged $29,000 – and demand remained strong right until the last lot.
The top-priced bull was the yearling, Millah Murrah Ramjet U356, a Milwillah Ramjet R1029 son out of Millah Murrah Prue R96.
The bull was brought forward to be sold first of the yearlings and bidding began at $20,000 before rising quickly.
He was purchased by return buyers Shepwok Angus, Gibson, WA.
The 13-month-old weighed 628 kilograms with a 40-centimeter scrotal. Millah Murrah had collected semen from the bull.
He recorded estimated breeding values in the top one per cent for gestation length, top 6pc for calving ease daughters and top 10pc for docility.
Jordan Whiting, Shepwok Angus, said the operation was a relatedly new stud that was targeting type, body and structure.
He said the price was about what he expected and after two plane trips across the county, he had been determined to buy him.
“The type and the body of the animal is what really got us but also because he was a complete outcross,” he said.
“Bringing the Ramjet in with the Millah Murrah female side which is so strong, that’s what really drew us in.”
Shepwok is a return buyer having purchased bulls such a Millah Murrah Sunstruck S207. Mr Whiting said the stud had a lot of Millah Murrah blood throughout the cow herd.
The stud would be marketing semen in the near future, he said.
Other notable yearling sales included Millah Murrah Roy U331, 656kg, by the New Zealand sire Taimate Roy R38 and out of Millah Murrah Flower S189.
He sold for $60,000 to New Turee Pty Ltd, Cassilis, and had also been collected for in-herd use. New Turee also paid $40,000 for the 18-month-old Millah Murrah Ulsterman U87, by Millah Murrah Rector R53.
Grant and Lisa Norman, Spring Ridge, paid $55,000 for Millah Murrah Unify U391, 638kg, by Millah Murrah Paratrooper P15 and out of Millah Murrah Rado M215.
Stirling Pastoral, Belgravia, paid $50,000 for another Paratrooper son in Millah Murrah Unify U348.
Another WA buyer, Springhills Estate, Boyup Brook, paid $44,000 for another Milwillah Ramjet son in Millah Murrah Ramjet U352.
In the 18-month-olds, Michael Smith, Woodenbong, paid $70,000 for Millah Murrah Universe U93, 760kg, by Millah Murrah Rocketman and out of Millah Murrah Brenda Q26.
He formed part of Mr Smith’s draft of four bulls which averaged $35,500.
Kamilaroi Angus of Alexander Downs, Merriwa, paid $65,000 for another Paratrooper son, Millah Murrah Unify U17.
Millah Murrah Ulsterman U148, also by Rector, sold for $48,000 to online bidders DM Hurley and C Steed, Wuk Wuk, Vic.
Coffin Creek Angus, Mudgee, paid $42,000 for Millah Murrah Uvite U302, by Millah Murrah Quartz Q29 and out of Millah Murrah Prue R140.
Two-year-old bulls also topped at $70,000, with Millah Murrah Thunderman T438, by Millah Murrah Rocket Man R38 and out of Millah Murrah Abigail Q211, selling to Gundungarra Pastoral, Manly.
Long-term supporters JS Grazing, Injune, Qld, paid $32,000 for Millah Murrah Trooper T460.
He was the top pick for the northern operation, which selected six bulls in total to average $23,333.
Another return buyer, Bassett Cattle Company, Roma, Qld, bought four bulls to average $24,000
Millah Murrah client since the 1990’s, Samanda Stewart, Running Stream, averaged $20,667 across a draft of six.
Millah Murrah’s Ross Thompson was – by his ow admission – ‘absolutely pinging’ after such a strong result.
Mr Thompson said about 90pc of bulls went to long-term repeat clients, with buyers in all states bar the Northern Territory.
“The repeat custom and loyal support we receive is hugely rewarding,” he said.
Last year’s sale averaged $24,645 for 121 bulls and Mr Thompson had expected the average this year to be lower.
“It was just an incredible sale but I think it just reflects the recent upswing in buoyancy about the cattle job,” he said.
“People really see value in the yearlings because we get them so well forward… they’re very mature bulls at an early age.
“They get more calves per bull over their working lives.
“The equation is very simple.”
Mr Thompson spent the last year visiting numerous clients’ herds and said it was particularly motivating to see the passion held by his clients.
“I got such a boost in enthusiasm,” he said.
“I’ve really enjoyed the whole year – more than I’ve enjoyed it in 10 years – I thought I was just about cooked but I’m reinvigorated.”
Elders conducted the sale with guest auctioneer Paul Dooley, of Tamworth.
The auction was interfaced online with both Auctions-Plus and StockLive.
