This year’s Rockhampton Brahman Week Bull Sale has finally come to an end, leaving vendors, buyers and livestock agents proud to be in the Brahman breed after a 26-month-old 796kg red bull achieved a top price of $90,000.
Throughout the three-day sale held from Monday 7 to Wednesday 9 October at CQLX Saleyards, Gracemere, 748 lots of red and grey Brahman bulls were put under the spotlight for bidders from across the nation.
Muan A Corvette 7788, lot 671, was offered by Gibbs Farming Co, Biggenden, and achieved the top price bull, selling for $90,000 to W and GJ Kirkwood of Somerview Red Brahmans, auctioned by Elders on day three.
Muan A Corvette is sired from Mt Callan Usher and damed Muan A Miss Noble 6805.
While Brahman producers, studs and commercial operators gathered from across New South Wales and the state, a large number of commercial producers from the Northern Territory made a prominent presence at this year’s sale leaving an overall 93 per cent clearance rate, $10,477 average and gross of $6,892,000.
Grant Daniel and Long stud stock agent Georgie Connor believes this has left an increase in the sales overall average.
“We are about $500 above last year’s sale which is a reflection of the better season producers have had this year,” she said.
The second top-priced bull overall was also taken out by the red Brahmans on day three, for Mountain Springs Alton, lot 784, a 27-month-old 920kg beast offered by EE and JM Mollenhagen and Sons, Monto, sold to BW and GJ Kirkwood, Charters Towers for $80,000, auctioned by Elders.
The top-priced bull for the grey Brahmans sold for $70,000 to Kenilworth Brahmans, Mount Coolon from Tony and Kathryn Mortimer, Dalma on day one.
Token Oscar, lot 265, is a polled 29-month-old bull weighing 922kg with a scrotum size of 41cm.
Oscar is sired from LMC Polled Sambo and damed Starbra Tor Cindy.
Coming in at the second top-priced grey bull was Clukan T Hunt, lot 419, a 25-month-old 856kg beast, offered by the Taylor Partnership, Jambin, purchased by Koolyn, Malarga for $50,000 on day two.
Nutrien Livestock agent Dane Pearce said it was a great result with a solid clearance rate and healthy average.
“We saw a lot of stud bulls here but what’s really important for the sale was seeing how much commercial support there was,” he said.
“Some of those bulk buyers we haven’t seen for a couple of years are beginning to come back to the sale which is fantastic to see.”
Australian Brahman Breeders Association executive Reade Radel agreed with Mr Pearce and said there were patches of the sale where it was definitely a biased market.
“Those people get to go home with terrific value for money and that’s what made the week so special,” he said.
“The commercial support is what keeps the industry and the breed going.
“Value for money, that’s the secret to Brahman Week.”
FACT FILE
DAY ONE SALE RESULTS
GREY BULLS
– Offered 250 bulls and sold 228 (91 per cent clearance rate).
– $9912 average
– $2,260,000 gross
TOP PRICED BULL
Token Oscar, lot 265, offered by Tony and Kathryn Mortimer, Dalma, sold to Kenilworth Brahmans of Mt Coolon for $70,000.
DAY TWO SALE RESULTS
RED AND GREY BULLS
Offered 251 bulls and sold 236 (94 per cent clearance rate).
– $10,623 average
– $2, 519,000 gross
TOP PRICED BULL
Jomanda Unlimited, lot 445, offered by MA and DM Johnson and family, Grafton, sold to Anne Sutherland of Gympie for $55,000.
DAY THREE SALE RESULTS
RED BULLS
Offered 244 bulls and sold 219 (90 per cent clearance rate).
– $9575 average
TOP PRICED BULL
Muan A Corvette 7788, lot 671, offered by Gibbs Farming Co, Biggenden, sold to BW and GJ Kirkwood of Somerview Red Brahmans for $90,000.
OVERALL SALE RESULTS
Offered 748 red and grey bulls and sold 683 (93 per cent clearance).
– $10,477 average
– $6,892,000 gross
TOP PRICED BULL OVERALL
Muan A Corvette 7788, lot 671, offered by Gibbs Farming Co, Biggenden, sold to BW and GJ Kirkwood of Somerview Red Brahmans for $90,000.
