Top Angus bulls: Australia’s best sires

As cattle prices breaks records big money is expected to be splashed this year. See the top 10 best Angus bulls and what their genetics can bring to your stud.

As cattle prices continue to break records this year and producers are still in the rebuilding phase, there’s bound to be some big money spent on genetics.

And as the Angus breed is arguably the biggest breed in the country, The Weekly Times has analysed the latest Angus Australia Sire Summary to determine the current top Angus bulls. The top bulls have been determined by the most progeny recorded in the past two years.

The Angus Australia Sire Summary contains a summary of the Estimated Breeding Values for selected sires recorded in Angus Australia’s Herd Book Register and Angus Performance Register.

1. BALDRIDGE BEAST MODE B074

This US sire was born in 2014 and has had 2194 progeny recorded in Australia in the past two years, with 3982 progeny recorded in total, across 188 herds.

He has a calving ease direct EBV of +7.1, compared to the breed average of +2, 400-day growth of +121, compared to the breed average of +87 and intramuscular fat of +2.6, compared to +2.

He was sired by GAR Prophet and from world-renowned dam Baldridge Isabel Y69.

2. GAR ASHLAND

From the Gardiner Angus Ranch in the US, this 2015-drop bull has sired 1823 progeny in the past two years, and 2067 in total, across 82 herds.

Ashland is well-known for his calving ease, growth, marbling and muscle.

He has an eye muscle area EBV of +14.3, compared to the breed average of +6, IMF of +2.9 (+2 is the breed average) and 400-day weight of +120.

3. RENNYLEA L519

This bull bred by Rennylea Angus at Culcairn has sired 1748 progeny in the past two years and 2451 in total, across 42 herds.

The bull was sold at Rennylea’s 2017 spring sale to Booroomooka Angus for $36,000. In 2020, 66 of his sons averaged $12,393 at the Booroomooka sale — $1754 above the sale average.

According to Rennylea’s sire information L519 was used at Rennylea as a yearling and has outstanding temperament and structure.

His Docility EBV is +26 (compared to +6 for the breed average) which is in the top 2 per cent of the breed and he has an IMF of +4.2, well above the +2 breed average and in the top 2 per cent of the breed.

4. SYDGEN ENHANCE

Born in 2015, this US sire is well-liked in Australia and New Zealand. He has sired 1616 progeny in the past two years and 2427 in total, across 90 herds.

His calving ease direct EBV is +4 (+2 average), EMA of +8 (+6 average) and docility of +36 (+6 average).

Sydgen Enhance has been used in Absolute Angus’ herd and at their 2021 autumn bull sale, a son, Absolute Quandrant Q436, sold for the top price of $11,000.

At the Sydenstricker’s Genetic Influence sale, in Missouri in the US, in November 2018 two yearling daughters topped the sale at $85,000 and $70,000 respectively.

5. LAWSONS MOMENTOUS M518

Referred to as an “outstanding looking” bull, Lawsons Momentous M518 has sired 1348 progeny in the past two years and 2918 in total, across 69 herds.

An AI son of GAR Momentum and out of Lawsons Africa H229, Momentous was born in 2016 and sold for $31,500 at the Lawsons Angus sale in Western Australia in 2018.

The bull has an EMA of +13.2, believed to be the only sire in the Angus breed that has an EMA above +12. He also has an IMF of +5, in the top 1 per cent of the breed.

According to Lawsons Angus Momentous carcass results are backed by their own progeny test where they have seen many +7 marble score carcasses “incredible consistency and yield”.

Angus bull Lawsons Momentous M518. Picture: Supplied

6. MILLAH MURRAH PARATROOPER P15

This bull has been making a big impact on the Angus breed, with his progeny hugely sought after. Paratrooper has sired 1235 progeny in the past two years across 71 herds.

The 2018-born bull set an Australian Angus record when he sold for $160,000 at Millah Murrah’s 2019 sale.

The bull has an EMA of +9.2, IMF of +2.2 and calving ease direct of +6.9.

Sired by, EF Commando, the first Paratrooper sons sold at last year’s Millah Murrah sale, shattering every record in the breed. At the sale 43 sons sold to average $46,990. At this sale a Paratrooper son, Millah Murrah Rocket Man R38, sold for a new Australian record price of $280,000.

Millah Murrah Paratrooper P15.

7. LANDFALL KEYSTONE K132

A 2015-born bull from Landfall Angus in Tasmania, this bull is renowned for his calving ease.

Keystone K132 has sired 1032 progeny in the past two years and 2083 in total across 96 herds.

He has a calving ease direct figure of +4.2 and birth weight of +2.2, compared to the breed average of +4.2, and an EMA of +7.

8. BALDRIDGE COMMAND C036

Another sire from the US, the 2015-born bull has sired 878 progeny in the past two years. In total he has sired 1412 progeny across 125 herds.

The bull has an EMA of +12.3, 400-day weight of +108 and birth weight of +2.8.

9. MUSGRAVE 316 EXCLUSIVE

A bull from the US Musgrave Angus in Illinois, this 2015-drop bull has sired 816 progeny in total across 42 herds.

He has calving ease direct figure of +7.7, EMA of +7.9 and 400-day weight of +101.

10. BALDRIDGE 38 SPECIAL

This bull is the third bull out of the Baldridge stable in the top 10 for the most progeny registered. Also born in 2015, he has sired 813 progeny in the past two years, 847 in total across 47 herds.

The bull is well-known for calving ease. He has figures of +8.1 for calving ease direct, +65 for 200-day weight and +115 for 400-day weight.