Bannaby Angus sells 63 of 85 bulls to a $26,000 top and $9666 average at its 2026 Taralga on-property sale
Summary
The 2026 Bannaby Angus sale, the stud's 16th on-property offering at Taralga, drew serious competition for its top flight of sires on Friday 14 August. Of the 85 bulls catalogued, 63 sold to a top of $26,000 and an average of $9666, a result similar to the year before as repeat buyers made their mark. The top-priced bull, Bannaby 38 Special V122 by Alpine 38 Special S021, was the third lot offered and weighed 914 kilograms, ranking in the top 2 per cent for 600-day weight at +161 and the top 3 per cent for gestation length at -9.8. It sold to a commercial operation running 650 breeding cows. The second top price of $24,000 was paid for Bannaby Real Deal V290, a 912kg September 2024-drop bull placed in the top 10 per cent for 200 and 400-day weight and the top 3 per cent for 600-day weight at +159; the same buyer also secured a Rennylea-sired bull for $16,000 for use across commercial and stud herds. A volume buyer took home 12 bulls to average $11,167 and a top of $18,000, putting them straight to work over 2000 breeding cows. Several sons of the $190,000 sire Milwillah Sergeant S791 featured in the catalogue, carrying on his legacy. The bulls were grass-fed on silage without grain, with some weighing over 1000 kilograms off pasture. Agents noted clearance rates were the key focus this year amid widespread cow sell-offs, though a favourable southern season pointed to a strong spring bull-buying run. The sale was conducted by Nutrien and Elders and interfaced with AuctionsPlus.
Key Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Bulls offered | 85 |
| Bulls sold | 63 |
| Top price | $26,000 |
| Average price | $9666 |
| Top bull weight | 914kg |
| Second top price | $24,000 |
| Volume buyer purchase | 12 bulls at $11,167 average |
| Milwillah Sergeant S791 purchase price | $190,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How did the 2026 Bannaby Angus sale perform?
The stud sold 63 of 85 bulls at its 16th on-property sale at Taralga on 14 August. The top price was $26,000 and the average was $9666, similar to the previous year.
What were the standout figures for the top-priced bull?
The $26,000 top-priced bull weighed 914 kilograms and was the third lot offered. It ranked in the top 2 per cent for 600-day weight at +161 and the top 3 per cent for gestation length at -9.8.
What sold for the second top price?
A 912kg September 2024-drop bull made $24,000. It sat in the top 10 per cent for 200 and 400-day weight and the top 3 per cent for 600-day weight at +159.
Who bought the most bulls?
A volume buyer secured 12 bulls at an average of $11,167 and a top of $18,000. The bulls were destined to work over an operation running 2000 breeding cows.
How were the bulls prepared for the sale?
The bulls were grass-fed in the lead-up, running on silage with no grain or nuts. Some weighed over 1000 kilograms straight off pasture, and stock grazed at a more favourable property were around 100kg heavier.
What did selling agents say about market conditions?
Agents pointed to clearance rates as the key measure this year, given widespread sell-offs of cow numbers. A good southern season had the region on track for a strong spring, though northern buyers had been selective.
What genetics featured in the catalogue?
The catalogue included numerous sons of Milwillah Sergeant S791 and Alpine 38 Special S021. Milwillah Sergeant S791 had been purchased for $190,000 before being fatally injured soon after.
