Morganvale bull sale gains strong support from prestigious interstate studs

Morganvale Poll Hereford stud at Willalooka has confirmed its breeding is "on the money" after well-known studs from interstate made purchases at its annual bull sale.

This year, the stud opted for a helmsman sale, which was interfaced with AuctionsPlus, with the selling agents Nutrien and Elders.

Of the 36 bulls offered, 12 sold to a top of $17,000, and an $8792 average - the sale was $1000 shy of last year's top price.

"It was just a lack of commercial support because of the season, I think everybody sort of had an off year, and it really showed," Morganvale stud principal Allan Morgan said.

Lot 2, Morganvale U-Boat U7, which was a March 2023-drop, 954-kilogram bull, achieved top price.

The Wirruna Qanit Q069 son was listed as suitable for heifers and had a 40-centimetre scrotal circumference.

Its EBVs had it ranking in the top 10 per cent for milk (+26), retail beef yield ( +2.8) and gestational length (-4.3).

It also had a +6.3 eye muscle area, +66 carcase weight and 11.5 calving ease direct.

Mr Morgan said lot 2 "carried a lot of interest", but was snapped up by Glendan Park, Kyneton, Vic.

"He's a low birth weight bull out of a two-year-old heifer, he's got a lot of carcase traits, maternal traits and curve bending growth," he said.

Glendan Park stud principal Alvio Trovatello said he liked lot 2's calving ease and low birth weight.

The repeat client, who has supported Morganvale the past 15 years, will use the bull over his maiden heifers

"He's not just about the numbers," he said.

"The bull was a good type, well put together and well structured with plenty of carcase."

Mr Morgan also sold lot 17, Morganvale U-Turn U6, for $15,000 to repeat buyers RN&SL Morgan, Ararat, Vic, who also purchased lot 4 at $6000.

U-Turn U6 weighed 872kg and ranked in the top 10pc for calving ease with +17, -5.7 gestational length, +26 milk, +3.7 scrotal size, -7 days to calving, +7.2 EMA, and a +2.4 intramuscular fat.

Lot 12 sold for $14,000 to Brooklyn Pastoral, who also bought lot 7 at $6500.

Mr Morgan was proud lot 3 sold to new client Injemira Beef Genetics, Book Book, NSW, for $10,500.

"They have cutting-edge genetics in Australia - it's great to see them support our program," he said.

Elders Keith livestock agent Steven Doecke said there was a quality line-up of bulls offered with "consistency throughout the whole catalogue".

"The buyers were obviously confident in the industry to bid to the values that they did on some of those lots," he said.

"A lot of people liked lot 2 because of his natural growth and his calving ease ability.

"He also had a good EMA and is going to a stud who might have been looking at him for a specific reason."