Trent Bridge Wagyu keeps a firm foundation as bulls head to southern states
Buyers came from all corners of the country to secure Wagyu genetics at the 2025 Trent Bridge Wagyu bull sale held on property at Armidale on Thursday, September 4.
All 170 bulls sold to a $34,000 top to average $13,883. In the breakdown, 160 yearlings averaged $14,740 and 10 two-year-olds averaged $16,000.
The top-priced bull for the day was Trent Bridge V353, who sold to Andrew Malloy, MCC Rural Tenterfield, acting on behalf of an undisclosed client.
The July-2024 drop recorded estimated breeding values (EBV) in the top one per cent for marble fineness and milk at +0.48 and +7, respectively.
By Trent Bridge V353 and from Trent Bridge R207, the bull also ranked in the top 1pc for the Wagyu-feeder index and the top 5pc for F1 (first cross) and fullblood terminal indexes.
Stud co-principal Charlie Perry said it was satisfying to see a strong demand for Wagyu during a softer market for F1 meat compared to Angus.
"We always try to put up a large volume of bulls so buyers have choice. We were thrilled to see that there was a great opportunity for buyers to find bulls that suited their programme at commercial rates," he said.
"We're really trying to achieve that balance of high marbling, but also strong growth, big carcase and a big eight eye muscle area. The bulls that had those attributes were very strong and very well supported."
The three highest-priced bulls were each from the 2024 drop, including Trent Bridge V295 and Trent Bridge V241, both second-highest at $30,000.
Trent Bridge V295, by Trent Bridge R112 and from Trent Bridge S347, the bull recorded a +10.7 eye muscle area (EMA) and ranked in the top 10pc for carcase weight.
Trent Bridge V241, by Door Key T0019 and from Trent Bridge S135, ranked top 1pc for all three Wagyu indexes and for marbling at +3.
A total 58 bulls were purchased to go into the JHW supply chain across the Riverina, western Victoria, and Tasmania, for an average of about $14,000, with 27 secured by JHW Paterson and Son.
Buying agent Craig Waldron, working on behalf of the Paterson family and other buyers, said the latest selection of bulls would be used over commercial Angus cows to breed F1 Wagyu, supplying the Hells Gate feedlot near Hay.
"They were an outstanding line of bulls. We selected bulls that were good to the very high-end marble score," Mr Waldron said.
"They were all very solid for EMA and for carcase weight, and some very solid growth bulls as well ... we're after balanced figures."
Mr Waldron said the constitution of the bulls made them ideal for a buyer with highly variable conditions.
"These bulls are bred in the snow, so they'll certainly handle the conditions in Tasmania," he said.
"They'll also thrive in the warmer conditions with properties through the Riverina and into Victoria."
Sam Klug, Happy Valley Pastoral, Flinders Island, secured Trent Bridge V105 for $26,000. Also by Shadai Farm S0291 and from Trent Bridge T399, the July 2024-drop bull was described by the vendor as a 'cracking bull', in the top 10pc for carcase weight at +51, marble score at +2.4 and marble fineness at +0.43.
Coolac Cattle Company, Gobarralong, paid $14,000 for Trent Bridge V243, with a moderate gestation length of -2.3 EBV and described as highly suitable for F1 programs by the vendor.
The sale was conducted by Armitage and Buckley, Armidale, with auctioneers Tom Piddington and Luke Heagney, interfaced with AuctionsPlus.
