Three bulls share top price at Circle 8 Angus, as buyers chase bloodlines

Red meat traits were in high demand at the Circle 8 Angus bull sale on Thursday, August 14, at Marulan.

Strong local support from Moss Vale, Braidwood, Bigga and Goulburn secured the majority of offerings, with select bulls headed further afield.

Three bulls, all by Millah Murrah Paratrooper P15, reached the top price of $14,000.

The first $14,000 bull, Circle 8 Shenanigans S654, was the heaviest bull in the draft, weighing 910 kilograms. The August-2021 drop, from Circle 8 Rosebud N117, had a scrotal circumference of 41 centimetres and an eye muscle area in the top six per cent of the breed at +11.8

Return buyer Tim Brazier, Choice Angus, Upper Horton, said the stud bought the bull's full brother in 2014.

"We've used a bit of Paratrooper .. and I looked at him two years ago, he's very long, bull body, good muscle. He's very smooth," Mr Brazier said.

"He'll back up an AI program on our stud."

Circle 8 V111 and Circle 8 V113 were also sired by Millah Murrah Paratrooper P15. Born in January and February of 2024, respectively, both bulls ranked highly for gestational length, with V111 in the top 1pc with an EBV of -10.5.

Circle 8 V113, also from Circle 8 Rosebud N117, was secured by Nutrien Goulburn's Daniel Croker on behalf of Margaret Murray, Bevendale Station, Bevendale.

"He will be going into commercial cows, which are Millah Murrah-base females," Mr Croker said.

"That particular bloodline, Millah Murrah Paratrooper, was certainly the reason behind the purchase, along with the fact that he was a good bull that was going to fit the programme for what they wanted to do."

Third-equal top-priced bull, Circle 8 V111, from Circle 8 Rosebud M142 was bought by David Bradley, Marulan.

Robin Tassell, Werai, bought three bulls, including Circle 8 V136 for $10,000. Sired by Woodhill Comstock and from Circle 8 Rosebud P111, the February 2024-drop bull rated in the top 4pc for EMA, with an EBV of +13.4, and the top 11pc for intramuscular fat.

PK Angus, Towrang, bought Circle 8 V185 for $7000, while the Picker family, Bigga, purchased Circle 8 V172 for $7000.

At the fall of the hammer, 19 out of 33 bulls averaged $7842.

Stud principal Jeremy Cooper described the line-up as the most consistent set of bulls presented by Circle 8.

"They were on point for type, maturity pattern, full of muscle and had data sets that amplified carcase quality," he said.

The sale was conducted by Nutrien Goulburn and Elders Goulburn, with Paul Dooley, Tamworth, the guest auctioneer. AuctionsPlus provided the interface.