In what is hopefully a good omen for the season ahead, Lanes Creek Rainman 2182 (P) was showered with bids to reach a reds section high of $54,000 on day one of the 2020 Big Country Brahman Sale today at the Dalrymple Saleyards in Charters Towers.
A total of 96 red registered sires grossed $878,500 to average $9150 while four red herd bulls averaged $4250 and grossed $17,000. In all, 100 red bulls sold to gross $895,500 and average $8955.
The Dunn family, Somerton Brahmans, St Lawrence, made the winning bid on the poll Kenrol Mr HJ Ray 0366 (S) son out of Lanes Creek Dienka 238 (IMP ET).
Entering the sale ring in lot 28, the 35-month-old weighed 870kg, with a 37cm scrotal circumference, intramuscular fat (IMF) of 5.2 per cent, an eye muscle area (EMA) of 134 cm squared, and P8 and rib fat scans of 9mm and 6mm respectively.
Stud principal David Dunn said they'd picked out Rainman's genetics before coming to the sale.
"He comes from a very impressive damline which have consistently produced good progeny," Mr Dunn said.
"We really like how he has been bred. He's a good fit for our herd. We'll collect semen from his first then put him in with the females," he said.
Vendor Brian Hughes said he was very happy to have a repeat client make the winning bid on Rainman.
"David purchased Lanes Creek Dolemite 1555 (P) from us for $35,000 at the 2016 Big Country Sale, and his son (Somerton Longbow 468 (P)), also did well today. It's great to see other studs having success with our bloodlines," Mr Hughes said.
All 11 bulls in the red draft for Lanes Creek bulls sold on the day to achieve an excellent average of $13,090.
Second top price red section honours went to Steve and Theresa Taylor, Clukan Brahmans, Jambin, when their NCC El Toro son in lot 23, Clukan Stockie 1438 (S) was snapped up by Gavin Scott and his son Dillon, Rosetta, Collinsville, for $45,000.
Mrs Taylor said like all the El Toro sons they've produced, the 27-month-old Stockie was hard to fault going into the sale.
"He had the the biggest EMA of the sale at 150 cm squared and he weighed 956kg, as a milk tooth."
Mr Scott described him succinctly as "high quality".
"He stands up well and has great weight for age. There aren't enough of those types of bulls in the industry so you've got to pay the money when one is available," he said.
"We'll be getting him collected then we'll breed him up straight away."
Mr Scott has shown great faith in the line as he purchased a half-brother to Stockie, Clukan El Toro 361/8 (AI) (ET) (H), in October of last year at the Rockhampton Brahman Week Sale for $95,000.
The Taylor family sold two bulls on the day to achieve an exceptional $26,000 average.
Kariboe Valley Titan 1069/8 (P) achieved the third highest price of the red section at $35,000, selling to Brett and Vanda Hick, Lindfield, Julia Creek.
The 25-month-old bull weighed 865kg as a milk tooth, P8 and rib fat scans of 12mm and 8m respectively, an EMA of 144cm squared, a scrotal circumference of 35cm , and 4.1pc for IMF.
Kariboe Valley stud principals Mark and Tarsh Allen said their lead bull for the sale has always been a standout since he was a calf.
"He has the strength of his sire, NCC Shogun 1181, as well as his loose skin and good red colour. The poll really helped sell him as well, and he is out of a damline heavy in poll.," Mr Allen said.
Mr Hick said he'd had an eye on Titan for a while.
"He'll be a good easy doing bull if he's like his mate at home who has done a good job for us," he said.
The mate in question is Kariboe Valley Rainman 991/6 (H), which the Hick family purchased at the 2018 Big Country sale for $24,000.
"He acclimatised very well at Julia Creek, and we think Titan will settle in just as well."
The Allen family sold six bulls to average a sterling $10,583 per bull.
David and Julie McCamley, Palmal Brahmans, Dingo, an enjoyed a stellar first day of selling with their five reds selling to average $14,700, while Somerton Red Brahmans also fared very well as their five bulls sold to average $13,200.
Beth and Remy Streeter, Palmvale Red Brahmans, Marlborough, sold eight bulls to average $7688 for their draft, while Brian and Glenda Kirkwood, Somerview Red Brahmans, Charters Towers, sold all 17 of their bulls to average $6265.
Joe and Felicity Streeter, Fairy Springs Brahmans,Taroom, sold seven bulls for a solid $8429 average, while the Gibbs family, Muan Brahmans, Biggenden, sold their six reds and achieved an outstanding average of $14,250.
The Kirk family, Carinya M Brahmans, Mundubbera, sold four bulls on the day to average $6250, the Wall family, Wallton Downs Brahmans, Clermont, also sold four bulls to average $4250 and Kelvin and Libby Harriman, GI Brahman Stud, sold four bulls to average $4875.
Selling agent Jim Geaney of Geaney's Real Estate and Livestock, Charters Towers, said he and fellow sale agent Ken McCaffrey, McCaffrey's Australian Livestock Marketing, Rockhampton, are pleased with how the first day of the 2020 sale unfolded.
"Considering the rain we had fall here on Saturday, which made getting to the saleyards difficult for many, we're really pleased with the result," Mr Geaney said.
"We'll have close to 170 grey bulls going through the ring tomorrow (Tuesday) and with the dry conditions today we're hoping they'll perform even better than the reds, with more people able to access the yards," he said.
- A full sale report will appear in the February 13 editions of the North Queensland Register and Queensland Country Life