Heart Angus secures 100pc clearance, as buyers chased genetics from new sires

Tamworth's Heart Angus experienced 100 per cent clearance for its 10th annual bull sale on Tuesday, July 28, with the first and second top priced bulls selling in the first four lots.

Fifty-eight Angus bulls cleared for an average of $12,421 and a top of $32,000.

Those results were up on last year, when 62 Angus bulls cleared for an average of $11,620, with a top of $22,000.

The top-priced bull, Heart Craftsman W33, sold to repeat buyers Neil and Beth Higgins, Nowendoc.

By Connealy Craftsman and out of Heart Bara T16, the bull's estimated breeding values included -9.0 gestation length, a 200-day weight of +60 and docility of +24.

The January 2025-drop Angus bull weighed 713 kilograms with a 40 centimetre scrotal circumference.

Mr Higgins also secured the second top priced bull, 17-month-old Heart Santiago W78 for $30,000.

Its sire was Millah Murrah Santiago S304, with those genetics highly sought after throughout the sale.

It had an EBV of +4.2 for birthweight, +26 for milk and +10.8 for intramuscular fat.

Mr Higgins rounded out his draft with another four bulls for an average $14,500.

He said the bulls stool out for their docility and structure.

"We run a vealer and weaner operation and they're quiet, quality bulls that suit our operation," he said.

"We've been buying bulls here every year since Heart Angus started selling."

The majority of sires of this year's draft of bulls were new with the Paterson family taking a number of trips across Australia and the United States to source genetics.

The sires included Millah Murrah Santiago S304, Dunoon Data Plus S603, Connealy Craftsman, Taimate Roy, Ellingson Prolific, Hart Network, Millah Murrah Rolls Royce R275, Heart Nectar S83 and Dunoon T024.

Stud principal Chris Paterson said he was excited to see how this year's draft of bulls performed, given the stud had experienced its best semen results yet.

"All of the bulls passed their semen test with very high results," he said.

"There was very strong interest in the Millah Murrah sons, which was good to see because we've put a lot of money into those genetics and those bulls are the top of the tree."

Mr Paterson was also pleased to see new faces among the buyers.

"We had a few first time buyers this year which was pleasing because some of our (clients) didn't need bulls this year," he said.

First time buyers included volume buyer the Demanuele family, Tamworth, who bought five bulls to $16,000 and average of $12,000.

Another notable buyer included Ranken Brothers Pty, Quirindi, which secured eight bulls to $14,000 and average of $11,750.

The sale was conducted by Davidson Cameron & Co, Tamworth, with Paul Dooley the guest auctioneer.

AuctionsPlus provided the online interface.