A 94 per cent clearance rate was achieved at the Wilangi bull sale today, despite challenging weather conditions being endured across much of Queensland.
With bushfires raging in Central Queensland and ongoing dry conditions across much of the North, the number of buyers was somewhat reduced.
But the magnificent selection of grey Brahman bulls drawn from seven vendors attracted solid bidding throughout the day.
Cambil Heineken 5112, from Lawson and Sophie Camm’s Cambil Brahmans topped the sale at $32,500. with Reg and Wendy Valmadne of Cedar Bend, Jambin, placing the highest bid.
Heineken, a 27-month-old, entered the ring weighing 818kg, had an eye muscle area of 143 cm sq and a scrotal circumference of 39 cm.
Lawson Camm said he was happy with the result they achieved with Heineken.
“He’s always been a standout, one of the better bulls of the draft, I expected him to go pretty well,” Mr Camm said.
Mr Valmadne said he liked Heineken’s big bone structure, temperament and overall conformation. He will be used a sire for the 100 breeders at Cedar Bend.
The second highest priced bull was Viva Brahman’s Pam and AJ Davison’s Viva Nevada 1201, who sold for $20,000 to the Faint family of Karmoo Brahmans, Clermont.
The 34-month-old weighed 1,030kg, had an eye muscle area of 148cm sq and a scrotal circumference of 36cm.
Overall, the 77 premier select sires grossed $586,000 to average $7610.
Of the registered bulls, 74 sold to gross $409,500, to average $5535. The top price paid was $17,000 for Lanes Creek WT Jumbo 1844 (poll) from Brian and Cindy Hughes’ Lanes Creek Stud.
Another 83 herd bulls grossed $296,500 to average $3575, with the top price of $8000 paid for Wallace Cattle Company’s Lot 236, which was purchased by Hacon and Sons.
In total, 234 bulls were sold to day with the sale grossing $1,292,000 and an overall average of $5520 paid.
The seven vendors all achieved acceptable results, with Cambil topping at $32,500, Viva Stud at $20,000 and Lanes Creek at $17,000 as detailed.
Wallace Cattle Company topped at $18,000 for Wallace MR Quillon 12/17, which sold to Anna McCauley of 2AM Brahmans, Barwon Park, Dingo.
Glengarry achieved a top price of $11,000 with Glengarry G Franklin 335.
Raglan also achieved a top of $11,000 with Raglan Mr Jenkin 2856.
Wilangi achieved a top price of $10,000 with Wilangi Elias 7385.
Volume buyers were also notable, with three purchasers adding 20 or more bulls to their herd.
Lawn Hill, Riversleigh Pastoral Holdings, Doomadgee bought 21 bulls to average $3525 a head. They were put together by GDL Dalby manager Peter Daniels on behalf of Riversleigh.
Camm Agricultural Group bought 20 bulls which will go to Natal Downs at Charters Towers, averaging $3650 a head.
Claraville Station Pty Ltd, Croydon enlisted Queensland Rural Livestock Agent Shaun Flanagan who put together a run of 20 bulls to average $3275 a head.
Buyers came from Central Queensland, Cloncurry, Central Burnett, Nebo, Julia Creek, Lakeland, Bowen, Ingham and the local Charters Towers area.
Agents said it was a satisfactory sale result given that bushfire conditions in Central Queensland prevented a few buyers from attending the sale, with dry conditions in some northern areas also restricting buyer attendance.
Mr Camm also noted the difficult conditions.
“Weather conditions I think were a challenge this year, I think a lot of the fires and dry at this time has made it difficult for the sale to be really good,” he said.
Agents: McCaffrey’s and Queensland Rural.