3R Bulls to $44,000 with strong stud interest
Article The Land 29 August 2024
Stud programs competed for the top-priced Angus bull at the 3R annual sale on Wednesday, with two New England breeders going toe to toe to get him into their program.
Of the 48 sires, offered 45 sold to average $11,822 and top at $44,000.
The 20 two-year-old bulls averaged $13,500 while 16 of the 18-month-old bulls averaged $10,823 and peaked at $30,000. Seven yearlings averaged $9750 to reach $22,000.
Embryo lots averaged $2720 to reach $8000 for an IVF flush in Texas Pride E030. Two lots of five embryos from Coleman Donna 9309 by Sitz Feat 729H sold to Western Australian studs for a total of $17,500, with all proceeds going to the Angus Foundation.
Bulls sold as far south as Kingston, SA and north to Augathella, Qld.
Rob Costello, Nairn Park at Walcha, paid the top money for 3RLS Unlimited T176, 20 months and 771 kilograms with a 42 centimetre scrotal diameter.
A brother of last year's sale-topper, the son of Mill Brae Benchmark 9016 from a Clunie Range Princess presented with estimated breeding values in the top five percent for 400 day growth at +115 and top 10pc of the breed for 600-day growth at +143. His carcase weight figure was +79 and eye muscle area +7.7 with intramuscular fat of +0.9.
Mr Costello was travelling in Western Australia at the time of the sale and ordered his agent Troy Davey, Pitt Sons, to "just buy him", after setting eyes on his correct phenotype during pre-sale open days.
"We inspected the herd three times in the lead up to the sale and we kept coming back to him. He is the most complete we have seen for a long time. His pedigree and phenotype attracted us to him," he said.
Unlimited will be put to select blood lines and heifer first-calvers at Nairn Park.
While touring WA, Mr Costello had the chance to see last year's Mill Brae son from 3R now at Koojan Hills in Albany and he was impressed with how the sire held up despite a tough season in the west.
Under-bidder on Unlimited was Tenterfield breeder Darren Battistuzzi, Inglebrae Angus, who described the sire as having "the right shape in every way".
"He was thick-made, long, soft shouldered with a nice neck and sire head," he said.
"If he had more marbling we would have spent our whole budget on him. His phenotype is where I want to be."
Nairn Park also bought the top-priced yearling bull for $22,000 in 3RLS Limitless U125, 11 months at 567kg with an average daily gain of 1.62kg, equal highest of the draft.
By Sitz Resilient 10208 from Texas Toque M396, the powerful sire came with EBVs that included +134 for 600-day weight, +139 carcase weight and a top 15pc scrotal circumference of +3.5 .
Limitless' above average birth weight of +5.2 was pushed out to +8.7 using more extensive genomics testing but both stud principal Geoff Birchnell and buyer Mr Costello reckon there is every chance the youthful sire will moderate as his progeny are analysed.
"He's too good not to have in our program," said Mr Costello.
"We will use him selectively with older cows."
Highest priced 18-month-old bull 3RLS Benchmark U023, by Mill Brae Benchmark 9016 from a daughter of Clunie Range Mayflower sold for $30,000 to Matt Urban, Urban Angus at Wallarobba via Dungog, who described the punchy sire as an "all around package".
At 823kg with 42cm scrotal and 1.50 ADG, the bull presented with EBVs that included top 5pc 600-day weight at +153.
The sale was hosted by Elders Studstock with Elders Tamworth and Ray White Tamworth with Paul Dooley as auctioneer and AuctionsPlus handling the online action.
