Tullibardine bulls sizzle to $11,500

After half a century of breeding quality beef bulls, the Murray family had a successful annual on-farm sale last week at their Albany property.

Alastair and Jenny Murray presented their signature Tullibardine Murray Grey bulls the stud established in 1966, and in recent years they have added Angus bulls to their sale catalogue.

The couple were thrilled with their celebratory sale as both breeds sold well, with an Angus bull topping the sale at $11,500, while a Murray Grey went to new buyers to a top of $11,000.

“Over the last 20 years, Alastair and I have carried on the tradition of his parents and it has been interesting to see the progression,” Mrs Murray said.

Mr Murray said the business of breeding seedstock was a long and involved process and quite challenging to get right consistently.

The first bull into the sale ring, Tullibardine King Kong K13, was a show stopper, as described by Landmark auctioneer Harry Carroll.

The 986kg Angus bull, sired by Aryvale Bartel E7, was highly awarded at WA cattle shows in 2015 and brought very competitive bidding.

The Bartel E7 sire is known for its highly regarded Estimated Breeding Value figures and the Tullibardine son inherited some of its best, including a +19 for milk, +7.4 for eye muscle area and positive for rib and rump fat.

Bidding with confidence, Rebecca Blyth, of Manypeaks, was the successful buyer.

“The bull has exceptional figures and we will put him over some of our better quality Angus cows to breed replacement heifers,” she said.

The Blyth family run 550 Angus breeders and sell calves to the feedlot industry.

Another Bartel son, Tullibardine K16, sold for $10,500 to FV Hortin & Sons, of Albany, who also paid $9000 for K36, another Bartel son.

Angus bulls were in demand, with LR McGuire & Co paying $10,000 for K66, CA & PA Norton, of Albany, securing a $9000 bull and TR & DM Bell, of Albany, bidding to $9000.

A total of 22 Angus bulls sold for an average price of $6909, up $1190/head on last year.

In the Murray Grey catalogue, a star lot, Tullibardine Kojak K82, sold for a top-price of $11,000 to first-time buyers Charles Wallace, of Woodbourn stud, Tasmania, and Barry Macdonald, of Torrisdale stud, New Zealand, on a 75-25 partnership respectively.

Mr Macdonald was bidding on behalf of the two interests and said the 846kg bull, sired by Lindsay Enforcer E94, represented outcross genetics.

“The bull had good EBV figures and would suit both studs,” he said.

Another Enforcer son, Tullibardine K78, sold for $7500 to M & L Leusiatti & Son, of Kojonup.

Landmark Albany manager Bob Pumphrey secured an $8500 Murray Grey bull for account Larussa Holdings, of Gingin.

This 830kg bull was sired by Banksia Ridge Caeser and was in the top 5 per cent of the breed for 200-day weight.

The Murrays were delighted to have 15 Murray Grey bulls sell for an average price of $5650, up $220/head on last year.