Earlwood Brangus dominates National Brangus Sale with record-breaking sires

The $130,000 Earlwood Tuala (PP) with purchaser, Brad Comiskey, Lunar Brangus Stud, Comet and breeder, Mick Madden, Earlwood Brangus Stud, Duaringa. (Kent Ward)

Duaringa’s well-known Earlwood Brangus stud owner Mick Madden dominated the sale ring at the 49th annual National Brangus Sale, selling three sires that achieved the top and second-highest prices of the event.

The sale, held on Monday, 13 October and Tuesday, 14 October, saw more than 190 registered and herd bulls and over 30 registered females go under the hammer.

This year’s bull sale averaged $17,125, grossing $3,014,000 with an 89 per cent clearance rate.

The first top-priced bull was Earlwood Curran, who sold for $130,000 to Mark and Amanda Salisbury of Bimbadeen Brangus, Monto. The 27-month-old embryo calf was sired by Tannyfoil P79 and out of Earlwood 3759, weighing 892kg.

Matching the top price was Earlwood Tuala, a 24-month-old, 864kg black bull purchased by Brad Comiskey of Lunar Brangus, Emerald.

Selling for the second-top price was Earlwood Critter, which made $125,000 and was purchased by Edward and Kara Quinn of Voewood Brangus, Calliope.

All three top-priced bulls were sired by Tannyfoil P79, who now has five sons to have sold for six figures.

With more than 30 years of Brangus breeding experience, Mr Madden exceeded his 2024 average of $83,000, lifting it to $90,100 this year.

The female section, held on Monday, achieved a 97 per cent clearance rate, with an average price of $7235 and a gross of $245,999.

Three lots — Barronessa Abstract, Barronessa America, and Rockyview Urvi — all sold for an equal top price of $15,000.

Barronessa Abstract 83D U75, a 24-month-old female 14 weeks in calf, was offered by Jeff Strazzeri of Barronessa Brangus, Atherton, and purchased by the Radel family of Tarcoola Brangus, Biloela.

Also offered by Mr Strazzeri was Barronessa America 281 U48, a 25-month-old heifer seven weeks in calf, purchased by Owen Rankine of Lake Eacham. Barronessa America was an ET daughter of Barronessa Csonka 281 and by the $1.5 million record-priced bull SAV America 8018.

Rockyview Urvi, a 22-month-old heifer, also sold for $15,000 to Bill and Sharon Walpol of Sandalwood Brangus and Ultrablacks, Bowen. She was offered by Jason Beckman of Rockyview Brangus, Aubigny.