Angus bull's ultra-genetics to jet across the world

One of last year's highest-price Angus bulls is already paying dividends for its SA-based owners, who have Europe and the United States in their sights for semen sales of the Millah Murrah-bred sire.

Shepwok Angus stud co-owner Jordan Whiting, Milang and WA, bought Millah Murrah Ultrajet U356 for $140,000 during the Millah Murrah annual bull sale at Duramana, NSW, in September last year, drawn to the yearling bull's phenotype and pedigree.

"For a young bull, the type and body of Ultrajet was just outstanding, but also because he was a complete outcross," Mr Whiting said.

"Plus we liked the way he stood and held his head."

Following the sale, Ultrajet was sent to Total Livestock Genetics in Camperdown, Vic, for collection, with the marketing conducted through Hallmark Genetics, Esperance, WA.

About 5000 straws were collected in his first 3.5 months for the domestic market, but Mr Whiting said they had even bigger plans for their investment, choosing TLG for its EU accreditation.

"We bought this bull with international aspirations," he said.

"We have already sold 500 straws into New Zealand, but we were extremely pleased when he passed the EU accreditation process in February.

"Not many bulls pass that EU screening process - it's the highest accreditation you can get for quarantine and quality assurance. It has opened up such a large market for us."

Mr Whiting said they had already started making inroads into Spanish and American markets.

The accreditation also opens up the buying pool for Shepwok Angus, when they offer 500 Ultrajet straws in the Angus on Ice sale, during the World Angus Expo in Tamworth in May.

"Having EU accreditation means anyone anywhere in the world can buy straws from him at that sale," Mr Whiting said.

Mr Whiting said Ultrajet would now remain in collection isolation for the next six months, with the aim of drawing 3000-5000 international straws.

Domestic straws sell for about $45 each, while international straws can be worth up to $70/straw.

Sired by Milwillah Ramjet R1029 son and out of Millah Murrah Prue R96, Ultrajet had EBVs in the top 1 per cent for gestation length, top 6pc for calving ease daughters and top 10pc for docility.

As a 13-month-old, he weighed 628 kilograms with a 40-centimetre scrotal circumference.

"Bringing the genetics of Ramjet in with the Millah Murrah female side, which is so strong, that's what really drew us in," Mr Whiting said.

"We started this journey to improve our own herd's genetics, focusing on producing good females.

"One focus in particular is good feet, for the sandy conditions they're run in, plus good rib, rump and intramuscular fats.

"We've noticed a massive gain over the past two years, being so dry and tough, the animals that have good rib and rump fats have held condition a lot better, recovered and got pregnant easier - they're just an easier animal to maintain and work with."

Mr Whiting said there was a lot of Millah Murrah blood throughout the stud herd, which was established in 2018.

It's not the WA-based stud's first foray into genetic marketing, with Shepwok Angus also purchasing two bulls at the 2023 Millah Murrah sale for the same domestic semen collection plan.

"We were very happy with how they grew out, and how sales went - they paid for themselves within 12 months and doubled our money, which gave us confidence to go hard on Ultrajet," he said.

The two 2023 bulls have since retired to WA to be run in the 180-breeder Shepwok Angus stud herd, which runs alongside a 1000-head commercial Angus herd owned in partnership with Mr Whiting's family, and a canola and wheat cropping operation east of Esperance.