Tassie Angus stud sale returns to Roma for the first time in over a decade

A Tasmanian Angus stud made a triumphant return to the Roma Saleyards on Wednesday, July 30, hosting its first sale in the area since 2013.

It proved to be a successful venture across the Bass Strait for Landfall Angus, who are based north of Launceston, Tas, with the sale returning a 100 per cent clearance for the 97 lots offered for a sale average of $9412, and a sale gross of $913,000.

The top price bull, Landfall Pacific U3110, was hotly contested among bidders, but was ultimately purchased by two buyers who each purchased a half-share in the animal.

The 23-month-old bull sold to Greg and Sally Chappell, Dulverton Angus, Glen Innes, NSW, and John and Selena Sylvester, Five Star Angus, Nundle, NSW, for $34,000.

Weighing in at 818kg, he was sired by Sterling Pacific 904 and out of Landfall Elsa P46.

Top-price buyer Greg Chappell said he and the Sylvesters had been sharing bulls within their respective studs for 27 years, and the purchase was an excellent business opportunity.

Mr Chappell said he had been chasing progeny from Sterling Pacific 904 to incorporate his genetics into his own stud, and Landfall Pacific U3110 came highly recommended.

"We had a look at him and he just looked to have the attributes we are looking for," Mr Chappell said.

"He's got a great shoulder set on him, a good neck extension, a long body, and actually magic skin and hair, which is a real selling point from our point of view."

Mr Chappell said he was also impressed by the bull's estimated breeding values.

The bull was in the top three per cent for his 200-day-weight, the top nine per cent for his 400-day-weight, and the top eight per cent for days to calving.

Looking to integrate the bull into his own Angus stud, Dulverton Angus, based on Shannon Vale Station, east of Glen Innes, Mr Chappell said the bull's dam was also a purchase consideration.

"I think that he comes out of a wonderful cow," he said.

"Because we are in a stud as well, we need to be confident in the dam of whatever bull we are going to use.

"It seemed to us that she was a worthy dam to have in the pedigree."

Mr Chappell said he hoped Landfall Pacific U3110 would slick up the skin and add length to his own herd, and believed he would be a good fit for his operation.

"We think this bull is going to work well over our recharge daughters as well, and he will go over a set of recharge and new granddaughters; that's where we are aiming at this stage."

Mr Chappell intended to offer semen in conjunction with Agri-Gene.

Landfall Angus director Frank Archer said their return to Roma was reflective of the demand for quality Angus cattle in Queensland, and he was humbled by the day's result and buyer interest.

He was particularly pleased with the 100 per cent clearance result.

While the stud hadn't held a bull sale in Roma since 2013, Mr Archer said they had loyal buyers in Queensland.

"We had a market shift in Tassie where some bulls were going, so we had to pivot a little bit and find a new home for those bulls," he said.

"We're a family business and it's driven by family, and in the last 10 years we've all had kids, so, it's been more difficult to serve a market away from home.

"We're really keen to be able to service our market and get boots on the ground to see how our cattle are doing for people."

Landfall holds two sales in Tasmania, and when asked by Queensland Country Life why they hold a sale in Roma as opposed to somewhere closer to home, Mr Archer said supply and demand was a major factor.

"We feel there's more demand up here and possibly less supply," he said.

"Given that we had what we considered to be an existing client base here, that was a big part of it.

"Roma is also seen to be a key centre to the cattle market, not just for Queensland, but into the NT and heading south, so holding the sale here, the cost of transport isn't such a barrier for people."

Bulk buyers at the sale included FL and MR Miller, North Kooringa, Roma, who purchased eight bulls for an average of $13,125, and Hartley Grazing, Mitchell, who purchased six bulls for an average of $9833.

The Landfall sale will be returning to Roma in 2026.

• Selling agents: MAA Livestock & Property