Record return for Springwaters Angus as Victorian buyers make themselves known

A young stud has reached a record high, selling a Millah Murrah Rector son to top price with an almost-perfect clearance.

Competition was tight at the sixth annual Springwaters Angus bull sale at Corcorans Plain, near Boorowa, on Tuesday, September 1.

Buyers travelled from across the district in Crookwell, Harden and Young, and further to Goulburn and Wagga Wagga. But it was a buyer south of the border to Vic who lifted the stud record by $1500 on the 2024 price.

The Trovatello family, Glendan Park, Kyneton, Vic, secured Springwaters Rector W6 for $27,500. The February 2025-drop bull, by Millah Murrah Rector R53 and from Springwaters Dream S51, weighed 796kg, with a scrotal circumference of 43.5 centimetres.

"We've been following the Springwaters program for a couple of years now, and we like the look of the Millah Murrah Rector's sons across other cows that we've seen," Alicia Trovatello said.

"We're looking for that weight-for-age in our cattle, and some scope, good bone and next extension, this bull ticks the boxes for us."

Gallery: Springwaters Angus 2026 Bull Sale

Pictures by Eliza Spencer

The bull ranked in the top 16 per cent of the breed for carcase weight, with an estimated breeding value of (EBV) of +83, along with intramuscular fat in the top 18pc at +4.1. His 600-day growth rated in the top 13pc at +142.

Mrs Trovatello said her husband, Tom Isedale, and father Alvio travelled to inspect the bull at Southern Beef Week, and decided this lot would be their first purchase from Springwaters, to add into their Angus breeding herd.

"He appealed to them for his scope and extra weight," she said.

"We'll collect some semen from the bull, and he'll go with some cows in a month's time."

At the fall of the hammer, 37 of the 38 bulls sold to average $13,135.

The second top-priced bull, Springwaters Santiago W73, sold to a fellow Victorian buyer, Hannah Stoney, Ellingerrin, Inverleigh, Vic, for $22,500.

The May 2025-drop bull, which weighed 666kg, recorded EBVs in the top 2pc and 13pc for rib and rump at +3.9 and +2.5, respectively.

By Millah Murrah Santiago and from Springwaters Dream S28, Ms Stoney was inspired by the journey the small stud had taken.

"The types [the Rowley family] breed from align fairly well with what we look for, they have genetics that are very much the type we look for," she said.

"We really look for shape, eye muscle area is a big thing, birth weight and gestation length. Carcase data and maternal aspects are fairly big for us too, productive cows are super important."

Beyond the phenotype of the animal, Ms Stoney said having solid hoof structure was critical for her family's herd.

"Some of our first calvers this year we did an AI program with, and they have calves at-foot. I have a favourite calf, and his mum just has such bad feet," she said.

"We're trying to improve this so we're not losing cows to structure, and we're seeing it's improving."

Ms Stoney also took home Springwaters Rocketman W54 for $16,000.

An online buyer from Humula was the volume buyer of the day, securing three bulls for $13,000, $13,000 and $12,000.

Peter Selmes, Crookwell, secured Springwaters Rembrandt W41 for $8000, and Springwaters Rector W105 for $6000.

Stud co-principal Dane Rowley said he was buoyed by buyer support, which was showing the young stud they were headed in the right direction.

"There are a lot of people who breed cattle like we do and do a bloody good job at it, the same type as what we like, and they were here looking, which gives you confidence that you're doing something right," he said.

"It was a thrill the whole time here, we're getting really good local support, which is so good."

Mr Rowley said it was rewarding, particularly when producers critique what is in their own paddock, to see a fellow stud breeder with a 'good eye' give their tick of approval.

"There's a lot of people here that weren't buying a bull, but were interested enough in our program to travel and look, and that's just as important," he said.

"It means that they've seen something that they like, it's great."

The sale was conducted by Elders Stud Stock with auctioneer Ryan Bajada, and interfaced online with AuctionsPlus.