ABC RURAL – March 3, 2026 – link to article

Good looks drive $235,000 record-breaking sale of South Australian Angus bull

Perfect skin, good looks and a sparkling personality. It may sound like a romantic partner wish list, but this is what buyers are after when selecting the perfect bull.

A South Australian Angus bull sold in February near Kingston possessed the attributes and more, helping it reach a new record price for the state of $235,000.

So how can one animal demand so much money? The record-breaking bull, Granite Ridge Velocity V42, was purchased by Herb Duddy from Sara Park Angus stud at Glen Innes in New South Wales.

Mr Duddy had been searching in Victoria and South Australia to find the right animal to improve his stud’s herd, a breeding operation focused on producing high-quality cattle.

A prized bull is a long-term investment for studs that look to improve the quality of their herds over time.
“When I couldn’t find other bulls to suit me, I decided to secure the bull,” he said.
“So [I] didn’t expect to pay that sort of money, but good ones are very, very hard to find.”

The ‘complete’ package

Mr Duddy described the bull as a complete bull, meaning he was the full package.

“His conformation, his bone, very good temperament, he’s got beautiful skin and hair, he’s very well grown … he had pretty good data, which we need in the stud,” he said.

While Mr Duddy is no stranger to spending large amounts of money on bulls — having bought a bull last year for $140,000 — this year’s animal was his largest purchase to date.

He said the investment would be worth it in the long run.

“It’s always stressful, but you make the decision on the moment, and you stick to it, you don’t look back,” Mr Duddy said.

“In this case, I am sure I have done the right thing.”
All investments come with risk, and a prized bull is no different. Valuable breeding bulls are typically insured in case they are injured, become infertile or unexpectedly die.

But because of the high price of the animal, Mr Duddy had to take a bit of a gamble. “Insurance companies would not insure him for his full amount,” he said. “All insurance companies have a maximum of $150,000, so the bull is insured for $150,000.”

Mr Duddy received interest from breeding companies, including overseas, that wanted to collect and sell the bull’s semen.

Bull semen is a big business, with some farmers paying top dollar to have access to the genetics provided by a quality animal.

We’re pleased to welcome

Milwillah Uncanny U625

Sara Park Angus was delighted to attend the 2025 Milwillah Sale. We were very impressed with the quality of bulls on offer and are extremely pleased to have secured Lot 2 – Milwillah Uncanny U625 for $140,000.

We are excited about the progeny this sire will produce when joined with our stud cows. Credit to stud master Will Caldwell, whose program continues to deliver genetics of the highest standardprogram.

We’re pleased to welcome

Milwillah Upload U26 (Lot 22)

to Sara Park Angus, purchased for $90,000 at the 2024 Milwillah sale. Upload U26 has a balanced set of data and a stacked pedigree of donors and consistent breeders from the Milwillah herd. As you know we place a lot of importance on structure, and this guy is exceptional. He has straight 5’s for claw and foot, putting him in the top 1% for these traits. Quiet as a lamb, this bull aligns and complements our breeding program and will contribute frame and volume to his progeny.

Semen is available for purchase.
Please get in touch if you’re interested in using Upload U26 in your program.

We are excited to add this bull to our herd – purchased at the recent Merridale Angus Sale – the top price bull, Merridale Rowell R134 for $50,000.

Lot 6, Merridale Rowell R134

Article by Stock&Land, March 4, 2022 – link

A NSW stud has spent big at Merridale Angus stud’s on-property sale, securing the top-priced lot of the day.

It was the first time this stud had ever purchased from Merridale, and the bull was bought sight unseen, with the buyer relying on figures and visual appraisals from friends who could attend.

The-top priced bull was Lot 6, Merridale Rowell R134, who was bought for $50,000 by Herb Duddy, Sara Park Angus, Glen Innes, NSW.

Mr Duddy said despite not seeing the bull in person himself, he was a “powerful bull”.

“He’s got good eye muscle area (+10.8) and fat cover,” he said.

“And it’s rare to get a bigger fat cover on the rump than rib.”

He also commended the bull’s dam – Merridale Vicky D55 – who had a solid impact on the sale, with the six bulls by her in the catalogue averaging $25,333.

He said he was “determined” to place the final bid on Lot 6, a bull he believed would bring “something different” to his herd.

It was the highest amount Mr Duddy had ever spent on a bull, and he said he was looking forward to getting the bull home to join to specially-selected females later in the year, to breed bulls for his own bull sale, which was held annually in July.

Lot 6’s estimated breeding values included +6.3 birth weight, +46 200-day weight, +80 400-day weight, +102 600-day weight, and an intramuscular fat of +1.9.