HE’s one of the best Angus bulls in Australia, and he’s now in Queensland.
Millah Murrah Loch Up L133 has been bought by Jim Wedge and Jackie Chard’s Ascot Stud at Warwick for a stunning $85,000 at the Thompson family’s annual Millah Murrah bull sale at Goonamurrah, Bathurst, on September 1.
Mr Wedge said the AI calf Loch Up (by the US sire Thomas Up River 1614 and out of Millah Murrah Brenda H49) was of the type and and had the confirmation that was the focus of the Ascot operation.
Loch Up is the highest priced Angus bull sold in Australia this year.
“Our overriding aim is to deliver low risk, thick, polled bulls, bred with an MSA targeted approach,” Mr Wedge said.
“These strict standards are designed to produce bulls that will improve the long term efficiency and profitability of the beef industry.
“The result is progeny that will calve easily, grow, finish quickly and grade highly.
“The beautifully balanced Lochup certainly fits that objective.”
Based on his Estimated Breeding Values (EBV) rankings Loch Up is in the top 1 per cent of his breed. The EBVs include the top 1pc for 200, 400, 600 days weight gain and carcase weight. He’s also in the top 1pc for scrotal size, days to calving, the Angus breeding index, domestic index, heavy grain Index, and heavy grass Index. Loch Up is also in the top 5pc for rump fat, the top 10pc for rib fat, mature cow weight and milk. He’s also in the top 30pc for intramuscular fat.
Ascot has since leased the international semen rights for Loch Up to ABS Australia.
Ascot has a long standing connection with Millah Murrah. Millah Murrah sale bulls produced from semen purchased from the lead Ascot sire Hallmark H147 were in demand at last week’s sale. The 10 Hallmark sons offered averaged $19,000. Overall the Millah Murrah sale averaged, $16,300 setting a new Australian record for any breed.
Ascot is also offering five Hallmark sons at the annual on-farm Ascot bull sale at North Toolburra, Warwick, on September 23. At this year’s sale 54 Angus and 56 Charolais bulls will be offered. Most will be two year olds.
Ascot has about 550 stud breeding females consisting of 300 Angus and 250 Charolais running at North Toolburra and Glen Innes.