Tasmanian buyer swoops on top-priced Banquet bull in total clearance sale
A Tasmanian stud has swooped in to take home the top-priced bull at the Banquet Angus autumn bull sale at Mortlake.
The bull, Lot 2, Banquet Vertical V207, sizzled all the way to $46,000 after a burst of competitive bidding on Thursday, February 26.
The July 2024-drop bull was sired by Ben Nevis Rambo R230 and out of Anvil Lowan H126, and weighed 920 kilograms.
The sale-topper recorded TransTasman Angus Cattle Evaluation figures of +4.8 square centimetres eye muscle area, a birth weight of +6.1kg, a 200-day weight of +67kg, a 400-day weight of +120kg and a 600-day weight of +159kg.
The bull also had carcase weight and milk figures of +87kg and +25kg, respectively, and intramuscular fat (IMF) of +4.1kg.
Banquet Angus stud co-principal Hamish Branson, Mortlake, said the top-priced bull had "serious power, thickness, width, volume and softness" as well as a "sleek skin".
"He needs to be admired for his extreme muscle, pattern, big loin, depth and width of hindquarter while maintaining presence and style," he said.
Mr Branson said the bull had great weight for age and power.
The bull was bought online by Lond Avra Angus stud co-principals David and Vivienne Young, St Marys, Tas.
It is the fifth Banquet bull purchased by the couple since the stud's spring bull sale in 2023.
Mr Young said his latest purchase was an outcross to his original four Banquet bulls.
He said it would be used to breed bulls for the Tasmanian market.
"I just liked his thickness, size, and flesh," Mr Young said.
"He's the bull I wanted."
Mr Young said the Banquet bulls had strong heads, plenty of bone, and good docility.
He said the annual Lond Avra on-property bull sale would be held 11 March, with the first Banquet-sired genetics to be offered at the sale.
Overall, Banquet recorded a full clearance of 79 bulls with an average of $18,873, and to a top price of the $46,000.
This compared to the stud's 2025 autumn bull sale where 92 of 94 bulls sold for an average of $16,166, and to a top price of $64,000.
The 2026 average price was up more than $2000 on last year's result.
Thursday's sale was well-attended with more than 200 buyers and friends of the stud turning out.
Bidding was competitive throughout with the vast majority of bulls selling beyond the $20,000 mark, with several going to $30,000 and beyond.
Several bulls went to NSW, and a select number went to Queensland and Western Australia.
Out of the Victorian buyers, there was notably strong interest from Gippsland, with livestock agents from firms Alex Scott & Staff, Everitt, Seeley & Bennetts, and Nutrien South Gippsland Livestock stepping up to buy bulls on behalf of clients.
Two bulls secured prices not far behind the top-priced Lot 2.
The second-highest price of $45,000 was paid for Lot 27, Banquet Valuebull V172.
The bull was purchased by a syndicate including Grills Cattle Company, Tynong, and the Myers Angus stud, Wagga Wagga, NSW.
Grills Cattle Company retained the majority share in the bull.
A third bull, Lot 34, Banquet Valtra V293, was bought by Ballawinna Angus, Willyung, WA, for $42,000.
Mr Branson said overall, the sale was "tremendous".
"We're thrilled with the result," he said.
He said the lift in average, and consistency in bull prices across the sale, was very welcome.
"It was a really solid sale," he said.
Ms Branson, Hamish's mother, said Banquet had spent more than 30 years working with its valued clients, and the stud was very much a family affair, now into its third generation.
"It gives us a great thrill," she said.
"We love what we do and we stand by our product, very much so."
Elders Stud Stock manager Ross Milne said there was "spirited bidding" throughout the sale, and highlighted the total clearance, a reflection of the Banquet bull's ongoing performance.
"They breed their cattle with a passion," he said.
