Angus bull named Valentine lives up to special day hype at Newlyn Park
Nothing was more fitting than an Angus bull called Valentine topping the Newlyn Park annual sale at Meadows on Saturday.
And Yerwal Estate stud principals Regan and Connie Burow were willing to go all the way to ensure Newlyn Park Valentine V67 went home to Lucindale with them, paying the sale top of $15,000 for their sole purchase.
Ms Burow said she had seen the spring-drop bull, by US AI sire Mill Brae Benchmark 9016, on AuctionsPlus and couldn't wait to "see him in the flesh".
"We chase bulls with a bit more mature cow weight, which he has got," she said.
"We don't want dumpy females because we send bulls up into Qld, and they want big robust cattle, that can walk and work.
"I think he will fit the bill up there, as well as for our clients down in the South East, with his low birthweight but quick finishing traits."
Ms Burow said they plan to use the bull over stud heifers by Landfall Lorenzo, and also plan to collect semen from him.
"I think this bull will complement those heifers really well, both on data and type," she said.
"He also has so much growing to do, as an early September 2024-drop calf - I think he has a big future."
Mr Burow was equally impressed by Valentine's "exceptional growth, type, muscle and bone for a bull that was so low birthweight, with direct calving ease and positive fats".
"His type matches his data, which is not always easy to find," he said.
"He ticks nearly every box."
Those boxes included being in the top 2pc for 200, 400 and 600 day growth, a scrotal size of +3.2 (top 18pc), and a carcase weight of +98 (top 8pc).
Newlyn Park stud principal Gavin Newman was happy to see the bull head to another stud.
He said Mill Brae Benchmark 9016 fit their breeding philosophy of "moderate size, but real thick and easy doing", while also coming from a great cow family.
"I like to use bulls that make good cows, but that are also good bulls," he said.
"I have a lot of sisters to this bull that I expect to contribute significantly to our breeding program going forward."
Benchmark progeny proved popular throughout the sale, with the five sold averaging $10,400.
This included the sale's second highest price of $13,000 paid for Newlyn Park Valour by commercial breeders Craig and Christine Blacker, Waldaree Farm, Willunga.
This May 2024-drop bull, out of Newlyn Park Laura Q14, also had low BWT (2.9), but solid growth, plus a +10.1EMA (top 17pc).
Mr Blacker said the Benchmark genetics appealed.
"The numbers all stack up well, but we really just like their look," he said.
"And being a commercial operation, we are really interested in good cows to produce good calves, and this bull had some great pedigree."
Newlyn Park Laura Q14 was a reserve champion at the Royal Adelaide Show, while on the sire's side Mill Brae FP Joanie 3063 was of note.
The couple also bought May 2024-drop bull Newlyn Park Versatile V47 at $6000 and were the successful buyers of six PTIC heifers offered at the end of the sale, paying $4300.
"We're in the process of building our Angus herd and we wanted a good foundation," Mr Blacker said.
The autumn 2024-drop heifers, weighing 545kg, were PTIC to Newlyn Park Icon U65, and due to drop in April/May.
It was the first time Mr Newman has publicly offered commercial females as part of the sale, with another six unjoined heifers making $3100 to RJ Baker. These were November/December 2024-drops weighing 445kg.
"People always ask during Beef Week whether we have any heifers for sale, so we decided to give this a go, and it's paid off," Mr Newman said.
Overall, Newlyn Park offered 19 bulls, with 12 selling for an average of $8750 - a $1000 increase on their 2025 sale.
Other strong sales included Newlyn Park Vermont V60 making $12,000 to Andrew Kebbell, Flaxley; and Newlyn Park Valentino V84 - by Benchmark - also making $12,000 to Steve Mlikota, Woodside.
Nutrien SA stud stock manager Gordon Wood said Newlyn Park's focus on producing good females was highlighted by the quality line-up of bulls offered, while the heifer sales exceeded expectations.
