Absolute Angus launches second autumn sale to cater for northern VIC clients

Producers will have two opportunities to put Absolute Angus bulls into their programs this year, with the launch of a much-anticipated second autumn auction at Echuca. 

The Gippsland-based stud purchased a second property at Echuca in 2022 and will be holding sales at both locations for the first time. 

Absolute Angus Principal Anthony Pisa said a sale at the new farm in Victoria’s north had been the plan all along, but flooding soon after it was purchased delayed the first auction until this year.  

“Sales at both locations moves us closer to our clients, regardless of where they are, and allows them to be able to access the cattle more easily without travelling as far, and without having to rely on videos of the bulls online - they can view them in the flesh,” he said.  

“There will be no difference in genetics across the two sales, and we keep the same breeding values for both operations.” 

The upcoming sales will also see the first full line of Milwillah Rimfire R1023 sons to be offered by Absolute Angus. Rimfire was purchased by the stud in 2021 for $85,000 and has exceptional carcase data, including Estimated Breeding Values in the top 5% for both rib and rump fat, and the top 15% for eye muscle area.  

Other sires that have sons in the sale include Sterling Pacific 904 and Coleman Bravo 6313, both used in artificial insemination programs.  

Sterling Pacific has some outstanding growth figures, in the top 1% for 200-day weight and top 2% for 400- and 600-day weight, as well as being in the top 1% for temperament.  

'We want positive EBVs overall that support the phenotype of the animal and allow them to perform wherever they go'

Coleman Bravo sons will be suitable for those producers looking for calving ease, with EBVs in the top 5% for calving ease direct and birth weight.  

And of course, there will be sons of Landfall New Ground N90, a bull Absolute purchased for a Tasmania record price of $75,000 in conjunction with ABS and that Anthony says now “speaks for himself”.  

“His sons are performing particularly well, and we are also using his half-brother on the maternal side, Landfall Keystone Q750,” he said.  

“Their mother, Landfall Elsa L88, is very strong and has powerful fertility and structural traits. 

“And those are traits I’ve been very focused on, fertility and structure, as well as the growth and carcass, and mature cow weight.  

“We want positive EBVs overall that support the phenotype of the animal and allow them to perform wherever they go.” 

Anthony added that this performance was particularly focused on weight gain on grass.  

“All our bulls are good on grass, being all grassfed, with sire lines such as Landfall Leonardo P145, a bull that has great grassfed traits,” he said.

Absolute Angus 2024 March sale bulls. Pic: Supplied.

Absolute Angus last offered bulls for sale in the spring at the Trafalgar property, selling 25 lots to average $6400 and topping at $14,000.  

Anthony said there was more positivity in the market since then, with stronger prices, and the focus for producers would be buying bulls with adaptability.  

“Each client has a different trait they come for - power, birth, growth, fat cover - so my focus is on the structure and the phenotype of the animal first, so at the end of the day they can find the bull that suits their needs, be it for breeding weaners or replacement heifers or finished cattle,” he said.  

“My bulls have all those traits so producers really can’t go wrong.” 

Wangaratta beef producer Gerard Brewer has been buying all his bulls from Absolute Angus for the past eight years. 

“I have been buying bulls annually from Absolute Angus since 2016. Their breed quality good and service is great.” Mr. Brewer said. 

 “The bulls have excellent structure and temperament; pedigrees are particularly good on the back of Anthony’s investment in high performing sires and dams.” 

“One bull in particular ‘L82,’ was perfect in structure and has set up our herd with standout breeders. Proof is in our progeny, with 99% of our heifer calves retained for future breeding.” 

Mr. Brewer is pleased to see the second sale happening in Echuca. 

Angus producers can secure Absolute Angus genetics in Gippsland at the Trafalgar South Sale Complex, 292 Trafalgar South Road, Trafalgar South, from 1pm on Wednesday March 27, or at the Echuca and District Livestock Exchange, 530 McKenzie Road, Echuca, on Thursday April 4, also at 1pm.  

Inspections at each sale will be open from 11am and both sales will be integrated with AuctionsPlus.