The Elite Angus Female Sale and "Angus on Ice" Frozen Genetics Sale, held as part of the Zoetis AngusEXPO during the World Angus Forum in Tamworth, highlighted the global strength and growing recognition of Australian Angus genetics.
The Elite Female Sale achieved full clearance and topped at $134,000, whilst the frozen genetics reached up to $6,000 per embryo, both sales drew strong interstate and international interest.
AuctionsPlus interfaced both the Elite Angus Female Sale and the “Angus on Ice” Frozen Genetics Sale, with both events streamed live from the AngusEXPO at Tamworth’s AELEC arena.
A packed stadium and a palpable sense of excitement set the scene for the Elite Angus Female Sale in Tamworth on May 4, where interstate buyers created fierce competition as vendors presented some of their top genetics.
The Elite Angus Female Sale, was multi-vendor sale which achieved full clearance, reaching a top price of $134,000 and averaging $23,095 across 21 lots.
The top-priced heifer, Banquet Dream V005, was offered by Banquet Angus of Mortlake, Victoria, and sold to Ballawinna Angus Stud in Albany, Western Australia.
Banquet Dream V005 (Lot 11) is a January 2024-drop heifer is sired by Banquet Nuttella N462 and out of Premier Y301 Dream G13. Pic: Supplied.
Prior to the sale, Banquet Angus offered to retain a 50% share in the heifer and continue running her at their stud, a proposal that was accepted by Ballawinna.
The current breed record for a registered Angus female stands at $190,000, set in 2017 when Brooklana Angus purchased Millah Murrah Prue MA (AI) (ET).
The top online purchase for was Booroomooka Teora U836 (lot 8B), offered by Booroomooka Angus, Bingara NSW. Booroomooka's heifer sold for $34,000 to Tepa Pty Ltd, from Wandsworth, NSW.
Booroomooka Teora U836 was purchased for $34,000. Pic: Supplied
Born in September 2023, she is sired by Booroomooka Paragon P96 and out of Booroomooka Teora S661, a descendant of Lawsons Momentous M518.
The heifer was sold pregnancy-tested-in-calf to Landfall T653, a bull known for high marbling. She ranked in the top 1% for $Index, the top 6%, 3%, and 2% for 200-, 400-, and 600-day growth respectively, and the top 7% for intramuscular fat.
Pathfinder Angus of Gazette, Victoria, sold Pathfinder Comstock V439 to Heath Tiller of Goolagong Angus in Warnertown, South Australia.
This March 2024-drop heifer is by Woodhill Comstock and out of Pathfinder Lotto T860. She ranked in the top 1% for eye muscle area, top 8% for intramuscular fat, and top 3% for 400-day growth.
The online catalogue attracted an impressive 8,300 views with online bidders placing bids on 17/21 lots. Throughout the sale, there were 15 active bidders, two of which were successful securing three lots.
Commencing 20 minutes after the final fall of the hammer for the Elite Angus Female Sale, the "Angus on Ice" - Frozen Genetics Sale began.
The Mckenze family from Macka’s Angus of Salt Ash, NSW, secured the top-priced embryo package amid strong demand and international interest. Embryo packages reached a top of $6000 per embryo, averaging $2,292 across 26 of 34 lots.
An embryo package from Ben Nevis Jean N238 was purchased by Macka's Angus. Pic: Supplied
The top-priced embryo package was offered by the Halliday family from Ben Nevis Angus of Walcha and sold to Macka’s Angus for $6000 per embryo.
The buyer selected two embryos each from Ben Nevis Jean N238 and Ben Nevis Jean M30, both crossed to Dunoon Sunstone S378.
In their description, the Ben Nevis stud breeders said "the genes are in the Jeans"—a statement backed by the fact that the donor cows are full sisters and daughters of Ben Nevis Jean H215, who sold for $82,000 in 2020.
Meanwhile, two other vendors each offered embryo packages that achieved second highest-priced of the sale, with both selling for $4,600 per embryo.
One was offered by Ascot Angus and Charolais of Warwick, Queensland, and comprised four embryos out of Millah Murrah Flower R118 crossed to Millah Murrah Santiago S304.
The other was offered by Banquet Angus, featuring four embryos from Banquet Quiet R329 crossed to Banquet Nuttella N462.
Meanwhile, Semen sales topped at $275 per straw, with an average of $126 across seven of nine lots.
The top semen package was offered by Mawarra Genetics of Longford, Victoria, consisting of 10 straws from Mawarra Ultra Star U210, a son of the $190,000 bull Knowla So Right S48.
The second-highest pricing semen package was offered by ST Genetics and World Wide Sires Australia, featuring 50 straws from Boyd Bedrock, and sold for $215 per straw.
The listing of the semen package marked the first release of Bedrock semen in Australia, ahead of its scheduled release in September 2025. In its description, Bedrock is referred to as the highly sought-after son of Prolific, who commanded a top price of $360,000 USD.
View the full results from both the Elite Angus Female sale and the "Angus On Ice" Frozen Genetics sale here.
