Willoughby's top Angus bull so docile 'you could ride him to work'

A bull described as "so quiet you could ride him to work" was one of two top-priced animals at Willoughby Angus stud's annual sale.

Willoughby stud principal Ken Wharton, Gnarwarre, sold all eight bulls he offered at the Central Victoria Livestock Exchange on Friday.

Lots 2 and 6 sold for the top price of $6500, with the sale averaging $5250.

Elders state livestock manager Nick Gray, Ballarat, said most of the bulls sold for between $4000-$6500.

"The bulls are in fantastic order, they are probably the best Ken has had," Mr Gray said.

He said the second of the two sale-toppers, Lot 6, was a stand-out.

"He is second to none for temperament, you could nearly ride him to work," he said.

"He has beautiful balance and great figures."

The bull was bought by Steve and Jack Wheeler, Lexton.

Steve said he "liked the look" of the bull.

"He's got a pretty low birth weight (BWT), so that's probably a good thing for my heifers," he said

"Hopefully he will give me a bit of frame and good growth rate."

The February 2026-drop bull, Willoughby Kenny Rogers W509, was sired by USA 20092065 Kenny Rogers, out of VCCM288 Coolana Kauri M288.

His TransTasman Angus Cattle Evaluation estimated breeding values included a BWT of 4.5 kilograms, 200-day weight of 60kg, 400-day weight of 106kg and 600-day weight of 142kg.

His docility measurement was 39 per cent, eye muscle area measured 9.2 square centimetres, rib fat was -3.4 millimetres, rump fat was -7.1mm, retail beef yield was 1.3pc and intramuscular fat (IMF) was 2.5pc.

The other top-priced bull, Lot 2, Willoughby Kenny Rogers W517, was purchased by Jeff Hollier, Mt Eccles.

The bull was sired by USA 20092065 Kenny Rogers, out of HFC21S66 Willoughby Premier Dream S66.

The March 2025-drop sire's estimated breeding values included 2.5kg BWT, 55kg 200-day weight, 103kg 400-day weight and 130kg 600-day weight.

His EMA was 5.7sqcm, rib measurement was 1.2mm, rump was 0.8mm, retail beef yield was 0.3pc and IMF was 0.6pc.

Mr Wharton said he was very happy with both the prices and clearance.

"It's up quite a bit on last year," he said.

"There is a bit of confidence in the market and what we have been selling as well."