Tasmanian bred bull smashes auction record

A Tasmanian bred angus bull has smashed the state’s auction record after selling for $275,000.

The bull called Uppercut U15 is from the Hughes family’s Cluden Newry operation and was lot one in the stud’s annual on farm sale today.

The bull was bought by first time buyer Lach McKenzie from Victoria, who was there at the auction.

The record-breaking sale beats the previous top price of $240,000 which was paid for a bull from the Archer family’s Landfall stud in in 2023.

Nutrien livestock agent Warren Johnston said while they had anticipated the bull would be sought after, the end price was much higher than expected. 

"There’d been lots of rumours around the angus world that he was going to make a hundred and something thousand,” he said.

“As the time got closer to starting time this morning, we were led to believe it could be closer to $200,000. So, it has probably exceeded all our expectations by $70,000 to $80,000 I guess.”

Mr Johnston said the bulls exceptional estimated breeding figures along with very good conformation and type had created a lot of buyer interest.

“His data and figures on paper are extraordinary and he’s just a really well put together bull,” he said.

Mr Johnston said the Hughes family were absolutely ecstatic with the sale result.

“At the end of the day the bull was there to be sold, there wasn’t any chance of him not being sold, so they were going to be happy whatever the result was,” he said. 

“To get another Tasmanian record is phenomenal for them. It’s exciting for them and good for Tasmania and good for the breed.”