CONFIDENCE in the cattle market contributed to the success of the 33rd annual Wilangi Brahman sale in Charters Towers today as commercial producers invested in boosting their herds with quality genetics.
The last Brahmam sale of the season saw 209 grey sires sell to record a 100 per cent clearance and achieve an overall gross of $2,070,000.
Commercial producers and studs principals from across the north-west, lower Gulf, Far North and cenrtal west were spirited in their bidding as they vied to purchase the sire prospects.
In total, 72 premier select sires sold to a top of $92,000, to average $15,284 and gross $1,100,500.
Another 80 registered herd bulls grossed $624,000, to average $7800 with a top price of $18,000.
Fifty-seven herd bulls also sold to a top of $18,000, to gross $345,500 and average $6061.
Demand was evident early in the piece, with Stewart and Kelly Wallace's Wallace Mr Stamford 31/19 (P/S) achieving the sale top of $92,000 - the second highest top price for a bull ever recorded at Wilangi.
Peter and Joy Newman, Rathlyn Stud, Emerald, snapped up the 27-month-old son of the $70,000 Willtony Stetson (PS).
The stylish youngster weighed 840kg, had a scrotal measurement of 37cm, an eye muscle area of 144 square centimetres with P8 and rib fat of 13mm and 10mm respectively.
Mrs Wallace said Stamford was the most expensive bull the stud had sold and she was delighted with the result.
"There was a fair bit of interest, we thought he might go to $40,000 but never expected this," she said.
The Newmans were also active later in the catalogue, selecting Raglan Mr Waco 3516 (P/S), from vendors Andrew and Roxanne Olive.
Waco was knocked down for $50,000 to take out honours as the third top priced sire.
The 21-month-old son of Willtony Hailstone 770 (PS) weighed 740kg, had a scrotal circumference of 34cm, EMA of 130sq cm and P8 and rib fat of 10mm and 7mm.
The second top price premier select sire was Lawson Camm's Cambil Jose 5800 (PS), which sold for $52,000 to Cody Sheahan, Tropical Cattle Company, The Orient, Ingham, with three quarter share and full possession.
At 24-months-of age, Jose is one of the first sale season sons of the $150,000 Jomanda El Toro 802 (PS).
He weighed 834kg, had a scrotal circumference of 46cm, an EMA of 145sq cm, and P8 and rib fat of 9mm and 6mm.
Sale coordinator Ken McCaffrey, McCaffrey's Australian Livestock Marketing, said the result had far surpassed last year's sale and highlighted that the northern cattle market was coming into its own.
"Overall it was highly successful, to have 100 per cent clearance and a rise in the average," Mr McCaffrey said.
"The gross and average is up substantially."
Mr McCaffery said the number of registered bidders were also up with strong bidding from commercial cattle producers.
"The Charters Towers saleyard this year has become a very important market for cattle with an increase in cattle sold and the number of sales.
"Commercial producers appreciate the bull market and are investing in their herds."
The bulls were offered by invited vendors Wilangi, Cambil, Lanes Creek, Viva, Wallace, Glengarry and Raglan studs.
For the full report, see next week's North Queensland Register and Queensland Country Life.
- Agents: McCaffrey's Australian Livestock Marketing and Queensland Rural.
