Matrons roar for Murdeduke as cows and calves sell to $31,000

Brought forward in the catalogue to sell after lots 1 and 2 was Lot 67, Murdeduke Jedda L123, a July 2015-drop Rennylea Edmund E11 daughter.

L123 was in the top 5 per cent or better in her estimated breeding values (EBVs) for intramuscular fat, Angus breeding index and heavy grain index.

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Lot 67 was secured by Julian Carroll, Black Star Angus, Mudgegonga, and his brother and sister-in-law Stephen and Kathryn Carroll, who have just joined the farming business.

"L123 has a near perfect set of EBVs, combined with a phenotype to match which is a hard combination to find," Julian Carroll said.

"We were looking for some new genetics for our seedstock business.

"We will put her into our donor program to multiply her genetics through our herd as quickly as possible.

"We think the Murdeduke breeding philosophy is consistent with ours, and that they have been buying bulls that reflect that and the style that we like as well.

"We have been using Quarterback for our last two joining seasons, which to me shows us running in the same direction.

"She was our clear favorite in the catalogue offering, being a younger cow with plenty of life in front of her, having a big runway to make a big contribution to our program.

"L123 won't be on the farm for a while as she was sent straight into IVF collection which should start on Wednesday, to kickstart our embryo transfer program using her genetics, without compromising her current pregnancy to Rocket Man."

Equal second top-priced lots were lots 37 and 52, secured for $16,000 by separate purchasers online and on the ground.

Lot 52 was a 2017-drop Carabar Docklands daughter who was purchased by Stewart and Jayne Cluning, Blackjack Angus, Westbury.

Lot 37 was secured through Elite Livestock Auctions by a buyer at Aberdeen, who also secured an additional seven lots for an average of $11,214, including two for the equal-third top price of $15,000.

Elite proved to be a valuable asset to the sale with 83pc of lots bidded on through the platform, and 40 lots purchased including the top-priced lot.

Volume buyer for the sale was Heath Tiller, Goolagong Angus, Warnertown, SA, who secured 14 lots to a top of $15,000 and an average of $11,538.

Following the 2020 matrons sale success, Murdeduke stud principal Lachie Wilson decided to offer females again in 2021.

"It was an excellent feeling seeing the strong buying demand for the representation we had put together for the females that were put on offer," Mr Wilson said.

"The female sale may not be something we keep doing every year, without compromising on quality, but following this year's fantastic season the cookie crumbled the right way.

"We are just wrapped in the result, the momentum of the beef industry has reflected here, and seeing cows going to six states is just phenomenal.

"The year as a whole has been great for Murdeduke, we placed more bulls on offer in autumn, which saw a good, honest sale.

"By the time we got to spring the beef industry was humming and our Queensland sale was well rewarded for that.

"It has been a great year for us at Murdeduke, which has us planning for another big year in 2022."