The Southern Hemisphere’s largest Brahman sale, Rockhampton Brahman Week (RBWS), was a bidding smash, retaining a total clearance of 96 per cent.
Held from Monday, 6 October to Wednesday, 8 October, the event saw over 750 red and grey Brahman bulls, including 576 polled and scurred, go under the hammer. A total of 712 bulls were sold out of 759, with a sale average of $11,540 and a gross of $8,216,500.
The sale kicked off strongly on day one with the highest-priced grey, Token Playboy1286/3, lot 150, selling for $120,000.
The 31-month-old grey Brahman was offered by Tony and Kathryn Mortimer of Token Brahman, Dalma, and purchased by Peter and Joy Newman of Rathlyn Brahman Stud, Laglan Pastoral Company, Emerald.
Token Playboy was sired by Clukan Baobab, who sold for $210,000 at the 2020 RBWS, and dammed out of Elrose Bling, who sold for $30,000. Elrose Bling is the daughter of NCC Justified, the Australian record Brahman bull who sold for $325,000 in 2017.
Stockman Venturo 767 was the top-priced bull for day two, selling for $70,000.
The 23-month-old homozygous polled IVF bull was offered by the McCarthy family of Stockman Red Brahmans and purchased by Brooke Jerreris, Elrose B Brahmans, Theodore.
Day three of the sale saw the top red Brahman, Jileaba Webb, lot 668, sell for $90,000.
The 23-month-old bull was offered by RBWS president Reade Radel and his wife Jill of Injune and purchased by Scott and Coralie Sorley, Mt Callan Brahmans, Dalby.
Elders stud stock agent Mark Scholes and Mr Radel discussed the sales results, touching on the breed’s continuous success over the years, despite some negative comments about Brahmans.
“It has been a fantastic three days. Every day has had around a $12,000 average, and being over 80 per cent clearance is really pleasing to see,” Mr Scholes said.
“There’s been plenty of negative feedback about the breed, but those invested in the breed know that is not correct. This week’s result has absolutely proved that. We’ve seen a lot of buyers who haven’t been here for the past year or two come back this year, and I think that shows the strength of the Brahman job.”
Mr Radel agreed, explaining they do hear negative comments from time to time.
“That’s right, we do hear a bit of negative feedback about Brahmans from time to time,” he said.
“But Mark, every year we sit down here and we say, ‘Well someone forgot to say that to the buyers.’ Overall, it’s been a phenomenal result, and Brahman Week does it every year.”
The pair congratulated the Australian Brahman Breeding Association (ABBA), the organising committee, and the vendors and buyers for another terrific year in the sale ring.
Not only was there national attendance, but also international buyers and vendors, including highlight attendees Benton and Brooke England from England Cattle Co Polled Brahmans, Texas, United States.
In an interview with ABBA board member Stewart Borg, Benton and Brooke said they’d thoroughly enjoyed their time in Australia.
“We’ve been here for several days and what we’ve seen of the Australian Brahman breed so far is something you should be very, very proud of,” Benton said.
“This is something that is so unique and so big on a massive scale. The number of bulls you’re selling is impressive, and you’re focusing on the really important qualities like fertility and structure.”
Joining Benton and Brooke on his international agenda was Muhammad Arif Khurram, also known as Mak from IZ Cattles, Pakistan. Mak is Pakistan’s largest Brahman stud owner and recently purchased Brahman heifers during his trip.
In an interview with Mr Radel, Mak explained his fascination with the breed.
“There are some beautiful bulls here, and I’ve seen some really good breeding values in them,” he said.
“If we begin using these kinds of bulls on our animals, we would really get some good daily average weight gains.”
