Tasmanian Angus stud's bulls sell to four states and the Bass Strait islands

Bulls went to four states at this week's annual Landfall Angus sale at Dilston, Tas.

Most of the stud stock on offer was bought by Tasmanian operators, including those on King and Flinders islands.

The top-priced bull, Lot 19, Landfall Rhynie U2707, sold for $54,000 to studstock operator Nairn Park Angus, Walcha, NSW.

Landfall sold 204 of the 233 bulls offered for an average of $9699.

Last year's autumn sale topped at $38,000, for an average of $10,942.

Landfall Rhynie U2707 was by Te Mania Rhynie R1095 out of Landfall Joyle Q922.

The August 2023-drop bull had TransTasman Angus Cattle Evaluation estimated breeding values of a birth weight of +0.9 kilograms, a 200-day growth of +55kg, a 400-day weight of +102kg and a 600-day weight of +125kg.

The bull had an eye muscle area of 6.8 square centimetres, a rib fat depth of 3.1 millimetres and a rump fat depth of 3.8mm.

His retail beef yield was -1.3 per cent and intramuscular fat (IMF) was 6.3pc.

Landfall stud co-principal Frank Archer said the stud sold only a "handful" fewer bulls than last year's sale.

"We were happy to sell 200 bulls in the current market, that's a good result," Mr Archer said.

"Whilst it is dry in Tasmania, there is a body of feed from the good summer, so it's certainly not Victoria, but I think people have still got plenty of confidence in the cattle industry.

"They generally rely on getting an autumn break at some point, so I think they are just keeping on with their plans.

"Obviously, there were a few bulls going out for the autumn joining."

He said Landfall offered the first of the Te Mania Rhynie line, which had turned out very well.

"They were really popular among other seedstock producers," he said.

"I think there were at least four I know of and possibly more."

He said the Rhynies had well-balanced performance data and offered a strong phenotype and high carcase merit.

Nutrien stud stock specialist Cooper Lamprey, Devonport, Tas, said bulls sold to Tasmania, Flinders and King islands, NSW, Victoria and South Australia.

"Considering the tough season, it was good to sell them into different states," he said.

He said Rynie U2707's data was his biggest selling point.

"Low birth weight, good growth and very high IMF, in the top 1pc of the breed," Mr Lamprey said.

"He was an all-round good bull."

He said Landfall's irrigation program meant the bulls presented very well "without being overdone".

He said there was good value for every buyer, with several bulls sold for $4000.

"That allows everybody into the operation to buy bulls and invest in good genetics," he said.

"There was another bull that sold for $52,000 and two more for $46,000.

"There was quite a bit of stud interest."