At the Charters Towers Dalrymple saleyards today and tomorrow, the annual Big Country Sale (BCS) will be “Bringing the Bulls to you.”
The sale itself has a record increase of more than 500 lots, which has never occurred in northern Australia.
For the first time ever, the BCS is also offering semen from the highest-priced bull sold in Australia ($325,000) from an inspiring grey Brahman NCC Justified.
The BCS offers a range of genetic varieties to both stud and commercial producers, in both bulls and females, red and grey Brahmans.
The sale has interested buyers from the Northern Territory, South Australia and even international buyers from Texas, USA.
Starting today, Queensland Rural agent Shaun Flanagan believes seats will be filled by buyers coming from all around Australia.
“We’ve definitely got people coming from Katherine (in the NT) and we’ve actually had inquires from South Australia for people looking to purchase out of the sale,” he said.
Having been in the livestock industry all his life, Mr Flanagan is certain the sale will have a positive outcome for both sellers and buyers.
“The type of high demand is for polled cattle, but there is certainly a demand for good horned cattle,” Mr Flanagan said.
“There will be bulls sold that will go into lead stud herds in the country.
“Heifers sold here that will go into embryo programs and, at the other end of the bull market, will go out to produce steers.
“We cater for everyone.”
As the Australian cattle industry faces changes to its operations, genetics are becoming more important to improve the fertility, quality and weight of herds.
Former property manager David Howard, who now is an agent for Queensland Rural, said the quality and quantity of the herd was strong.
“Some good quality bulls up there,” he said. “The rain certainly helped and the country is looking pretty good everywhere so that will help things along,” he said.
