Strong prices and high clearance mark the start of 2025 stud sales
17 February 2025
Lot 20, Blackrock U177, fetched the top price of $42,000 at the Blackrock Angus Bull Sale. Pic: Supplied
An article by Alex McLaughlin
The 2025 stud selling season has started strong, with demand for highly sought-after genetics driving multiple bull sales to the seven-figure mark. Over the past week, AuctionsPlus has interfaced 27 stud sales, achieving impressive results across the board. Here are some of the highlights:
Among the standout results recorded over the past week, the Blackrock Angus Bull Sale with Lot 20, Blackrock U177, setting the current highest price purchased for a bull interfaced through AuctionsPlus this year, selling for $42,000. Entering the ring third, Blackrock U177 attracted significant interest before being knocked down to the winning bidder.
The top lot purchased online in the sale reached $10,000 for Blackrock U200 (Lot 19), a bull described as an ideal sire to improve calving ease and eye muscle area, being a grandson of Rennylea L519. The sale closed on a high note, achieving an 86% clearance rate and an average price of $9,357.
Simmental success
To Furner, South Australia, where the Woonallee Simmentals 18th Elite Production Bull Sale achieved strong competition across both in-person and online bidding. The top overall price reached $30,000, while the top online price was not far behind at $28,000 for Lot 5, which was sold through AuctionsPlus to Hacon & Sons Pty Ltd at Julia Creek, Queensland.
The sale recorded a 93% clearance rate with spirited online activity, with 10 active bidders securing 12 lots. The red-and-white Simmental bull that topped the sale at $30,000 set the tone for Woonallee’s annual event, which once again demonstrated the strong demand for elite Simmental genetics.
In the breakdown, Traditional Simmental Bulls (20/20) sold to a top of $30,000 (Lot 1. Woonallee Kiwi U316 to Boomey Park, Molong, NSW) and averaged $15,027.
Black Simmental Bulls (40/42) sold to a top of $26,000 twice (Lot 26. Woonallee Rendezvous U320 to Karragarra Simmentals and Lot 38. Woonallee Missile U639 to Magpie Park Simmentals) for an average of $10,412
Simangus Bulls (33/37) sold to a top of $17,000 (Lot 73. Woonallee Rembrandt U417 to Santaco Rural Pty Ltd, Tamworth NSW) for an average of $9,424.
Full clearance for 3R Angus genetics
The 3R Angus ‘Maternal Advantage’ Online Genetic Sale achieved a full clearance across all 13 lots, highlighting strong buyer confidence in the program’s genetics. The top price of $2,500 was paid for Lot 1A, a package of three IVF embryos (Spring Cove Grant 200K x Coleman Donna 4356).
The sale attracted widespread interest, with more than 4,200 catalogue views and lots being purchased into almost every state in Australia.
This auction marked a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” to access some of the rarest and most valuable Australian Brahman genetics offered to the public. The Kirk family of Hazelton Brahmans will donate all proceeds from the sale to the Children’s Cancer Institute—and in an incredible show of generosity, with the Kirk family making a substantial contribution to the charity as well.
The top priced lot was purchased for $4,600 (Lot 1) which was two straws and registrations for 2AM BEEF WOOD 7955 (IVF) (PS). 2AM Beefwood was the top priced bull at Lancefield Invitational Sale in 2023.
