First-time buyer secures top bull at 2025 Glenisa Angus bull and female sale
A first-time buyer held off fierce competition to secure the top-price bull at the 2025 Glenisa Angus bull and female sale, who will now travel 1500 kilometres to his new home.
About 100 people packed the stands at the Wise family's property in Glen Aplin on a sunny Friday, September 5.
Bidders joined in person and online from local areas, west to Morven, north to the Banana shire, and as far south as Kyneton, Victoria.
Vendors grossed $377,400, while a total of 40 from 45 bulls sold through the ring for a clearance of 89 per cent and an average price of $9250.
All 40 commercial heifers on offer sold through the ring for an average of $1850 and a top of $2000.
By comparison, 38 of 40 bulls sold in 2024 for an average of $10,473 and a top of $30,000, while all 50 heifers sold to average $1760.
There was a sense of anticipation in the crowd as "feature bull" Glenisa Benchmark flashed across the screen at lot 17.
The Wise family sold Glenisa Benchmark to Alvio Trovatello and family, of the Glendan Park stud in Kyneton, Victoria, for the top price of $30,000.
He was 24 months old and weighed 872 kilograms.
He had an eye muscle area of 124 square centimetres, scrotal circumference of 41 centimetres, intramuscular fat of 7.2 per cent, as well as P8 and rib fat measurements of 14 and nine millimetres.
Mr Trovatello said he was drawn to Glenisa Benchmark's balance across all estimated breeding values, as well as his good fleshing ability and structure.
"We were looking for a bull that could keep calves' birthweights down too," Mr Trovatello said.
"We plan to use him over both cows and heifers, including daughters of Milwillah Slideshow and Milwillah Tyson.
"A few will be artificially inseminated, but he will be joined naturally for the most part."
Mr Trovatello and family took over the Adameluca Angus herd in 2023 as part of a family succession plan, adding an Angus stud to their established Hereford stud.
"Glenisa Benchmark was the first bull we have bought from the Glenisa stud, but we have known the Wise family for more than 30 years," he said.
"Ced has travelled down to flush for us in the past."
Glenisa Angus stud manager Ben Lobegeiger said Glenisa Benchmark's sire had passed on his exceptional structure, thickness, and skin type.
"Mill Brae Benchmark was an American AI sire originally imported by 3A Angus," Mr Lobegeiger said.
"We liked him for the calving ease in his progeny, as much as his other attributes.
"The dam, Glenisa Erica, has exceptional fertility even now at 14 years old.
"If our older females keep performing, we keep them in the herd."
James and Natalie Stinson, based at Roma, bought the largest number of bulls through the ring, with seven lots for an average of $6857.
Mr Stinson said the couple were looking to grow their commercial herd.
"We have been fortunate to be able to agist new country in a good season," Mr Stinson said.
"We have bought from Glenisa before, and liked the temperament, growth, longevity, and fertility of the bulls on offer today.
"They will be joined with Angus and potentially Santa Gertrudis cows."
Keith Sands, based at Jandowae, bought 30 of the 40 commercial heifers on offer for an average of $1867.
Repeat buyers from western areas, central Queensland and into New South Wales attended the sale, according to Nutrien Toowoomba agent Colby Ede.
"The quality of the best bulls in the run was recognised by buyers today," Mr Ede said.
"And there was good value for money on offer.
"The result shows that there is demand for reliable and consistent bulls, as well as the quality proved by Glenisa's win in the 2024 Paddock to Palate."
- Agents: Nutrien and George and Fuhrmann
