Northtor Angus sells to $20,000 three times at third annual bull sale
Angus bulls with depth and breadth led the bids at the third annual Thornleigh Northtor sale with the top price of $20,000 reached three times.
Of the 37 Angus bulls on offer, half of them yearlings, 35 sold to average $10,628.
The Little Plain stud, via Inverell, has been in the seedstock business since 1933, in Hereford, recently making the swing to Angus with stud principal Ben Monie applying the same principles of breeding that his father Peter employed in years gone by.
The potential to grow-on caught the eye of top buyers Allan and Coralea Gillogly, Montrose Feedlot at Terry Hie Hie via Moree, who bought four two-year-old bulls to average $18,500.
First-time buyer Mr Gillogly was particularly attracted to the promotional photograph of lot one, Northtor Vauxhall V34, by Connealy Craftsman, by embryo transfer from a granddaughter of Ayrvale Bartel in Campaspe Rocks Princess P90. This donor dam was described as having "great capacity with a perfect udder".
The heaviest in the draft, weighing 995 kilograms at 24 months, V34 presented with a 38 centimetre scrotal circumference with a semen motility of 78 per cent.
His estimated breeding values included positive growth and milk, with an Angus Breeding Low Feed Cost figure of $519, the highest in the draft.
"It's weight that pays," said Mr Gillogly, who sells finished Angus bullocks, on feed for 150 to 200 days, into the Jacks Creek brand, processed at Casino Food Co.
For Mrs Gillogly the best selling point for V34 was his quiet temperament, a trait the Monie family has infused throughout their draft of bulls.
"He is quiet and never stirred," she said.
Cobbadah Angus producers and repeat clients the Groth family also paid $20,000 for Northtor Valla V51 by Booragul Prime Minister S171 from a granddaughter of VAR Discovery in Outwest Nav Jamaica S196.
Thornleigh Northtor bull sale July 10, 2026
Described as carrying "extra depth of body and a really rugged carcase type", the commercial herd builder weighed 874kg at 22 months with a 43cm scrotal and 80pc motility.
The highest priced yearling bull at $14,000 was Northtor Walker W7, by Connealy Craftsman from a daughter of GAR Prophet in Campaspe Rocks Erica N434.
Weighing 604kg at 15 months he presented with a 35.5cm scrotal and 76pc motility. His EBVs included positive growth and milk with an $A-L index of $418.
Repeat buyers the Forrest family, Sherwood at Manilla, were the winning bidders, after losing out on the heaviest two year old bulls. Buyers Denis and his daughter Sall Forrest also came away with two other yearling bulls, a grandson of Sitz Resilient for $10,000 and a GAR Phoenix granddaughter for the same money, to average $11,333.
These bulls will go over Hereford, some of them going back to Thornleigh bulls, to produce black baldy calves for a variety of markets, at the saleyard, feedlot and direct consignment for processing.
"You have to be fluid in your selling," said Denis Forrest. "You have to think on your feet."
Other lots offered on the day were two Angus/Santa Gertrudis bulls and four Hereford sires that were passed in with no bids.
The sale was hosted by Elders Inverell with Auctions Plus capturing the online action.
