Record Breaking bull sales
With the stars aligning across the beef industry and Angus bull sale after bull sale hitting record stud averages and highs, 2022 has been another year for records to be shattered, with Millah Murrah Angus, hitting a new record average of $43,632 for a full clearance of 128 bulls sold for a $5.585 million gross.
This result considered a new all breeds world-wide record average is 28% above the 2021 average achieved by Millah Murrah when 118 Angus bulls were sold for a then world record average of $34,221.
The top price on the day was $160,00 paid for Millah Murrah Sugar Ray S76, by Ascot Angus, Warwick Qld and JT Angus, Scone NSW.
Another three bulls also reached six figures with, $110,000 paid for Millah Murrah Stormtrooper S235 purchased by Heart Angus, Tamworth NSW and Palgrove, Dalveen Qld; $100,000 for Millah Murrah Stormtrooper S52, purchased by Bassett Cattle Company, Roma, Qld and $100,00 for Millah Murrah Sugar Ray 273, purchased by David McLeod NT.
Millah Murrah principal Ross Thompson said that ‘The rural economy is incredibly strong. We have not seen anything like this before.’
‘This is a very special moment for our family and the team of people who help us. These will be times we look back on in decades ahead with the same nostalgia as our forebears reflected on the 1950’s wool boom. But I think what we have seen over the past three years in livestock surpasses even that.’
Mr Thompson believes that results like this reflect the changing terms of trade for agriculture, as commercial cattle producers are now getting more for their steers and as such are willing to spend more on their bulls.
‘Cattle producers are cashed up generally as we approach the fourth year of stellar market conditions. The 10-steer rule equates to a decent commercial bull being worth $20-$30,000. For those who want to target the top of the market, they are willing to fork out quite a bit more than that.’
While bulls sold to all states of Australia, support from Queensland increased, with Mr Thompson crediting ‘Angus fever’ in the north of the country for this, as many sales this year have experienced increased demand from this part of the country.
‘Northern producers are learning how to integrate Angus genetics into their systems. And it is worthwhile as they are receiving the Angus premium, increasing fertility rates, and improved maternal performance in their herds.’
Mr Thompson explained that it takes some common-sense management but survival rates and longevity of Angus bulls in the north is growing exponentially.
With confidence in the beef industry, and in particular Angus genetics, at an all-time high, Mr Thompson believes the future for Angus producers will remain strong.
‘Increasing global demand for red meat protein is well documented and Australia is the one major beef producing country where all the stars are aligned. Most other countries are in herd decline, brought about unfortunately by drought. So, we are in the enviable position to capitalise.’
Strong results across the board
Many Angus producers across the country are reaping the rewards of this demand, with phenomenal results being achieved.
The day following Millah Murrah, Milwillah Angus, Young NSW sold 112 bulls for an average of $30,452 and claimed the current top price paid for an Angus bull so far in 2022.
$200,000, was paid for Milwillah Jaal R138, when purchased by Arkle Angus, Munglinup WA.
This result took over the previous high price for the year, achieved at the Knowla Livestock Sale, Gloucester NSW, where $190,000 was paid for Knowla So Right S48 purchased by Sprys Angus, Wagga Wagga NSW and Cottage Creek Angus, Tarcutta NSW.
Milwillah also achieved $170,000 for Milwillah Powerpoint R318, with Mawarra Genetics, Longford Vic and the Bowen Stud, Barraba NSW teaming up for the purchase. Bowen themselves had earlier in the season sold 82 Angus bulls for an average of $22,878.
Earlier in the bull selling season a new record for an APR bull sold at auction, was achieved at the Coffin Creek Bull Sale, with Coffin Creek S100 selling for $70,000 to Neil Bolte, Wing Vee Pastoral, Hargraves.
Waitara Angus, Trangie NSW are another stud to have achieved six figures, with Waitara GK Safekeeping S56, purchased by Merridale Angus, Tennyson Vic, Crawford Angus, Tumorrama NSW, Cascade Angus, Currabubula NSW and Little Meadows Angus, Dardanup WA forming a syndicate.
Texas Angus set an industry record for the highest sale gross when they sold 209 Angus bulls for an average of $28,055 and a gross of $5.864 million.
Booroomooka Angus were not far behind, with their August sale seeing 241 bulls clear for an average of $21,987 and gross of $5.299 million.
At their Spring Bull Sale, Rennylea Angus Culcairn, NSW sold 212 bulls for an average of $22,546.
The Te Mania Angus Northern Bull Sale, Walgett NSW, saw 114 bulls average $24,394.
While Clunie Range, Wallangra NSW sold 170 bulls for an average of $25,212
TO VIEW ALL BULL SALE RESULTS CLICK HERE
There are still up to 45 Sale catalogues listed online with Angus Australia across Australia and New Zealand still to run at the time of publishing.
TO VIEW UPCOMING SALE CATALOGUES CLICK HERE
IMAGE CAPTION: Dimity and Ross Thompson, Jim and Jackie Wedge, Paul Dooley, Andrew Bickford, Mike Wilson, Trent Walker, (front) Josh Clift, Jane Thompson and Millie, Ollie and Twiggy Thompson. Image: studstocksales.com
