More than 160 Braford bulls and three heifers from across Queensland and New South Wales went under the hammer for the National Braford sale at Gracemere, CQLX Saleyards on Monday 9 September.
The top-priced bull and new top record for MCN Brafords of The Glen, Western Downs, went to MCN Iceman (lot 45) who topped the sale at $45,000 to the Kenny family of Harriett Valley Brafords.
The McNamara partnership sold all nine of their bulls, averaging $22,779, including MCN Wolfman, who was the grand champion Braford bull at BEEF2024, for $36,000 to Brian and Trinkett Anderson, Theodore and MCN Wolfman for $36,000 to Daniel and Alicia Sampson, Winton.
Amy and Tim McNamara of MCN Brafords thanked all buyers, under-bidders and their auctioneer GDL agent Mark Duthie.
“We are blown away by this incredible result,” she said.
“While the sale results are fantastic, it is wonderful to see they went to great homes.
“All of our bulls have gone to excellent homes and fantastic mobs of cows and we look forward to seeing their progeny.”
The McNamara partnership is glad to have grabbed their bidding cards, after purchasing Carinya Calcino, lot 150, for $16,000 from JH and BJ Amor, Carinya Brafords, Dulacca.
“We have always admired Carinya’s cattle for their ability to do so, soft skin and a good skin type, strong sires, and lengthy and good depth appeal,” she said.
“We work our cattle based on commercial conditions.
“Although we keep good content in our females for their functionally on our Coolibah Ridge country, we try our best to bring in sires that keep our weight for age as good as any.”
The McNamara partnership, Don and Majella, Holmwood, Tim and Amy, The Glen and Longacre and Mark and Tara, Kooinda, has commercially bred Brafords for over 50 years.
While it was a successful sale, Amy said the seasonal results had left their country calling for rainfall.
“This is why we breed Brafords because of their adaptability to the numerous seasonal environments, especially in Coolibah country,” she said.
“Brafords meet all of the markets and you can really take them anywhere and they will do well.”
Although this year’s seasons haven’t been in favour of agricultural producers, the national sale proved otherwise, after having an 89 per cent total clearance rate (145 lots out of 162).
The Braford bulls averaged $10,806 while the heifers received a 100 per cent clearance rate, with the top price of $7000 and averaged $5333.
Compared to the previous year, the sale clearance sat at 92 per cent and the top-priced bull went for $32,000 with a $9476 average sale price.
Australian Braford Society president Stuart Dingle said producers were struggling prior to the rainfall that hit the Central Highlands.
“Now we have had rain around the area, the slight jump in the prices has given everyone a bit more hope back in the industry,” he said.
“The market for the bulls is starting to reflect on that now.”
The national sale being the highlight on their calendar, Amy and Tim said they hope to have nearly 15 bulls in next year’s national sale.
“We aim to continue growing our business and producing quality Brafords each year,” Amy said.
