Top value on Black Market

The Torrisi family of Boyanup-based Black Market Angus will offer 48 genomic tested sires at its 6th Annual Sale at the Boyanup Saleyards on March 1, starting at 11.30am. Stud co-principal Paul Torrisi said an extensive embryo transfer and artificial insemination program over many years was paying dividends at Black Market Angus. “We use ET in order to replicate our best female bloodlines to more rapidly improve the depth of our cow herd,” he said. “Typically, we identify our top cows based on a combination of past progeny, phenotype, performance data and genomics. “Instead of a great stud cow producing eight to 10 calves over a lifetime, she can produce 30 or more, having a greater genetic impact resulting in more rapid overall improvement in desired traits.” Mr Torrisi said a good example was from top donor cow Black Market Princess N008. “She has just had her 37th calf hit the ground — all before her 6th birthday,” he said. “The cow has delivered 22 heifer calves, most destined to the stud herd — her best daughters are already in our donor program.” Mr Torrisi said the immediate benefits for Black Market clients was that the by-product of breeding a great ET heifer was the prospects of great ET sale bulls. “This year’s sale includes 11 ET bulls, including sons of Millah Murrah Paratrooper, Baldridge Compass, Texas Powerplay and Sitz Stellar,” he said. “One of the younger bulls catalogued as lot 37, Black Market Powerplay S114, is a bit of a hidden gem. “Only July born, S114 is definitely worthy of mention, scanning in the top 3 per cent of the breed for EMA.” Mr Torrisi said S114’s dam, Coonamble bred Jael M203 was breeding on really well, having six daughters in the stud herd. “Sale bull Black Market Troopy S150, at lot 21, has fantastic pedigree combining the best of Millah Murrah, Texas Angus and Coonamble,” he said. “Troopy S150 was a standout as a calf and we were pretty excited when his genomics and scans came in at top 1 per cent for EMA, top 5 per cent for growth EBVs, top 5 per cent for gestation length and net feed efficiency. “We used S150 over stud heifers and he’s now bouncing back in condition.” Of Black Market’s 48 sale bulls, 40 are by leading US and Australian AI sires. Black Market’s online catalogue and bull photos are available on the Angus Australia website. For a catalogue or to book a pre-sale inspection, contact Paul and Lydia Torrisi on 0427 211 929.