Buyers seeking muscle and structure as Hazeldean sends every sire out the gate

Strong prices and a full clearance have helped rally Hazeldean Angus at their 2026 spring bull sale after a dry and difficult season on the Monaro.

All 180 lots offered on Thursday, September 3 were sold, at an average of $12,683 and to a top of $30,000, with buyers seeking structural soundness and intramuscular fat.

The size of the offering was somewhat larger than the Cooma stud's 2025 spring bull sale, which recorded a similar average of $12,870 after clearing all 147 bulls.

This year's sale high was achieved by Hazeldean V53, by Murdeduke Quarterback Q011 out of Hazeldean R270, to Dhugald McDowall, ECM Livestock, Moss Vale.

The 834-kilogram, July 2024-drop bull measured in the top 5 per cent of EBVs for scrotal size at +4.1, and also in the top 10pc for mature cow weight at +0.5 and intramuscular fat percentage at +4.9.

For Mr McDowall, it was a rare opportunity for the livestock agent to take home a sire for himself, rather than for a client.

"Probably the complete package would be the best word for him, he had everything," he said.

"I think he moved very well. A very long bull, and that's what I look for in cattle.

"Just purely on a figures basis, he was attractive, but then as far as I'm concerned, the bull must have eye appeal."

Pictures by Dakota Tait.

Mr McDowall said there was a "real possibility" the bull would be sent to an artificial breeding centre so the semen could be used in his client's herds, but for the most part, the genetics would have a place in his own small herd.

The breeding operation had about 120 cows at Moss Vale and Braidwood, turning off cattle straight to the feedlots.

Hazeldean V2103, by Hazeldean T1057 out of Hazeldean S90, was one of three bulls to achieve the sale's second top-price of $24,000, selling to Matt Merriman, EJ Merriman and Son, Ravensworth, Yass.

The 948kg, August 2024-drop had been used as a yearling worker by Hazeldean, and recorded figures in the top 10pc for carcase weight at +90 and milk at +24.

A long-term client, Mr Merriman was also the biggest volume buyer of the sale, buying nine bulls at an average of $18,889.

"We just wanted to have that scope that we normally get down here and they took a bit of finding through, but they were there," he said.

"More than happy, and we're trying to add a little bit of muscling to that package, but good length and frame and do-ability, it's all here."

The operation has close to 1100 breeding cows and heifers, largely Angus with the occasional Hereford, across 4850 hectares at Yass.

Two of the new bulls came from Landfall New Ground TFAN90 genetics, while three were by Murdeduke Quarterback Q011.

"I just think that both those sires just seem to stamp their stock," he said.

"We've had a couple of Landfalls before, they've gone well.

"We're just looking for that consistent sort of balance between length and carrying themselves and being athletic, being able to walk around get the cows."

Boonoonar Partnership, Avenue Range, SA, bought eight bulls at an average price of $9250 and a high of $12,000.

Blantyre Farms, Young, through Nutrien Cooma, took home seven bulls at an average of $8571 and a top of $12,000, while Union Agriculture bought five bulls at an average of $12,800 and a top of $18,000.

Damien Alcock, Southern Farm and Forestry, also bought one of the three lots tied for the second place sale high of $24,000, Hazeldean V122, by Hazeldean Synergy S2055 out of Hazeldean Q782.

The 814kg, August 2024-drop bull tested in the top 5pc for days to calving at -10.4 with an "industry-leading" figure, according to the stud, as well as in the top 10pc for eye muscle area at +11.8.

Mr Alcock said he was "chasing the grunt" as the operation embarked on a herd rebuild, with around 540 breeding cows across properties at Bombala and Cann River, Vic.

The operation aimed to turn off cattle about the 600kg mark directly to Greenham's in Victoria.

Hazeldean general manager Ed Bradley said he was "very happy" with the sale, after a challenging season on the Monaro.

There was strong buying support from both within the district and across NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Queensland, with several new clients joining the gallery of reliable repeat customers.

For managing director Bea Litchfield, it was in some sense the end of an era for the stud, after farewelling her grandmother Barbara, who died two weeks before the sale.

Alongside her late grandfather James, Ms Litchfield said they would be carrying on their legacy as they took Hazeldean into the future.

"They were both really a huge influence on what the business is today and the culture of the business and how we are going forward," she said.

"They were pioneers in the objective data and breeding game. We look up to them."

The sale was conducted by Nutrien, with auctioneers Matt Campion and Hamish McGeoch, and interfaced with Auctions Plus.