Murdeduke Angus tops at $18,000 and clears 78 per cent in confident Roma bull sale debut
Summary
Murdeduke Angus made a confident debut at Roma, Queensland, on September 10, 2026, achieving a 78 per cent clearance in the Victorian stud's first sale at the Maranoa venue. The Winchelsea-based operation had sold at Gracemere for the previous decade but relocated to Roma to tap into demand for flatback progeny and to shift from a fed-bull system toward a more natural preparation, running the bulls on an oat crop near Wallumbilla from June with supplementary rations through a deteriorating season. In total, 46 of the 59 bulls on offer sold for an average of $8060, up on the previous year's Gracemere average of $7458. The top price of $18,000 was paid for a 25-month-old bull that was part of a four-head purchase by a Canberra couple securing heifer-friendly, easy-calving Angus sires for their first-calf heifers. The sale-topper weighed 828 kilograms and carried rib and rump fat of 15 and 10 millimetres, an eye muscle area of 121 square centimetres, intramuscular fat of 7.6 per cent, and a scrotal circumference of 42.5 centimetres. The second-top bull sold for $16,000 to a Goondiwindi buyer who was also a leading volume purchaser, taking seven bulls at an average of $8571. Another volume buyer, running country south of Mungallala and at Cooladdi, secured seven bulls at the $6000 base price, praising the cattle's depth and suitability for local conditions. Central Queensland clients followed the stud south to the new venue, and agents rated the inaugural district sale a success despite tough seasonal conditions. Watkins and Co conducted the sale, interfaced with AuctionsPlus.
Key Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Top price | $18,000 |
| Second-top price | $16,000 |
| Clearance rate | 78 per cent |
| Bulls sold | 46 of 59 |
| Average price | $8060 |
| Prior-year Gracemere average | $7458 |
| Top bull weight | 828 kg |
| Top bull intramuscular fat | 7.6 per cent |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What was the top price at the Murdeduke Angus sale at Roma?
The sale topped at $18,000 for a 25-month-old bull. It was bought as part of a four-bull purchase by a Canberra-based couple selecting easy-calving sires for their first-calf heifers.
What were the clearance rate and average?
The Victorian stud sold 46 of 59 bulls, a 78 per cent clearance, at an average of $8060. This was up on the previous year's Gracemere average of $7458.
Why did the stud move its sale to Roma?
The operation relocated from Gracemere after 10 years to tap into demand for flatback progeny and to move from a fed-bull system to a more natural preparation. Agents considered the inaugural district sale successful despite tough seasonal conditions.
What were the top bull's carcase figures?
It weighed 828 kilograms with rib and rump fat of 15 and 10 millimetres. It also had an eye muscle area of 121 square centimetres, intramuscular fat of 7.6 per cent and a scrotal circumference of 42.5 centimetres.
How much did the second-top bull make?
The second-top bull sold for $16,000 to a Goondiwindi buyer. That buyer was also a leading volume purchaser, taking seven bulls at an average of $8571.
How were the bulls prepared for the sale?
They were run on an oat crop near Wallumbilla from June and supplemented with a ration because of the deteriorating season. This reflected the stud's shift toward a more natural preparation.
Who conducted the sale?
The sale was conducted by Watkins and Co and interfaced with AuctionsPlus. It was the stud's first appearance selling at Roma.
