Red bulls lead the Benjarra Limousin sale as top-priced Benjarra V34 reaches $16,000 near Clifton
Summary
Red Limousin bulls were the standout at the Benjarra Limousin sale at Ellangowan, near Clifton, on August 13, drawing geographically diverse buyers. The top-priced bull, a purebred homozygous polled red Limousin named Benjarra V34, reached $16,000 and sold to a commercial breeding family from Wallumbilla that has run Limousin cattle for 28 years, with most of its herd at Surat. Sired by Elwanvale Puddle Player and out of Benjarra Diamonds & Rubies, the 25-month-old bull weighed 888 kilograms, scored 86 per cent morphology, and recorded rib and P8 scans of 7 and 5 millimetres, intramuscular fat of 4.6 per cent, a scrotal circumference of 38.5 centimetres and an eye muscle area of 150 square centimetres. Overall, 32 bulls were offered and 23 sold for a clearance of 71.9 per cent, an average of $9521.74 and a total of $219,000. The previous year had set records for both top and average prices, with a $25,000 sale high. The top bull is slated to work from September over Charolais-cross cows, reflecting a crossbreeding focus for western Queensland. Buyers ranged widely, with bulls headed to the Daintree, tropical northern Queensland, central and western Queensland and New South Wales, where drought-driven herd reductions supported demand. Volume support came from Comet Downs Cattle Company in central Queensland, which bought five lots to average $10,000. The stud, in its seventh year selling on-property, focuses on athletic, upstanding bulls. Selling agents were Elders and Nutrien, interfaced with StockLive.
Key Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Bulls sold | 23 of 32 |
| Clearance rate | 71.9% |
| Top price | $16,000 |
| Sale average | $9521.74 |
| Total sale value | $219,000 |
| Top bull weight | 888kg (25 months) |
| Top bull eye muscle area | 150 sq cm |
| 2025 top price | $25,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What were the sale results?
Of 32 bulls offered, 23 sold for a clearance of 71.9 per cent, an average of $9521.74 and a total of $219,000. Red Limousin bulls were the most favoured.
What did the top-priced bull make and offer?
Benjarra V34, a homozygous polled red Limousin, reached $16,000. At 25 months he weighed 888kg with a 150 square centimetre eye muscle area, 4.6 per cent intramuscular fat and a 38.5cm scrotal circumference.
Who bought the top bull and why?
A commercial breeding family from Wallumbilla, with 28 years in Limousin cattle and most of its herd at Surat, secured the bull. Its eye muscle area was singled out during the pre-auction inspection.
How did red bulls compare with black at the sale?
Red Limousins were strongly favoured, while black Limousins were softer in places. Drought-driven herd reductions in New South Wales were seen as supporting red-bull demand.
How did results compare with last year?
The previous year set records for both top and average prices, with a $25,000 sale high. This year's top price was $16,000.
Where were the bulls headed?
Buyers were geographically diverse, with bulls bound for the Daintree, tropical northern Queensland, central and western Queensland and New South Wales. The spread covered much of Queensland.
Who were the volume buyers?
A central Queensland cattle company bought five lots to average $10,000. The buyer group mixed repeat clients and new customers.
What is the stud's breeding focus?
The stud, in its seventh year selling on-property, targets athletic, upstanding bulls with growth and fertility for commercial crossbreeding. The top bull will work over Charolais-cross cows from September.
