Inaugural Black Duck Charolais Invitational Bull Sale tops at $13,000 with a 74 per cent clearance and $7454 average
Summary
The inaugural Black Duck Charolais Invitational Bull Sale delivered mixed results at the Silverdale Selling Complex on September 5, 2026. Eleven vendors combined to offer 38 bulls, of which 28 sold for a 74 per cent clearance and an average of $7454 per head. The sale was launched to fill a perceived gap in the Charolais market across the Scenic Rim area, where many commercial producers cross Charolais bulls with tropical breeds such as Droughtmasters to produce sought-after honey-coloured weaners. Demand had been signalled a year earlier, when a nine-lot Charolais draft averaged $10,778 at the Silverdale Annual All Breeds Bull Sale, which was cancelled in 2026. Red factor bulls were favoured on the day, with most buyers travelling from Mt Walker, Silverdale and Beaudesert, and additional lots heading north to Kingaroy and west to Dalby. Bidding peaked early when the red factor, homozygous polled lot 3 bull, Black Duck Venturous, sold for the $13,000 top. This rising two-year-old, a Charnelle Station Master son out of Charnelle Panache 10, was one of two bulls secured by a Cecil Plains buyer at a $12,000 average. The volume buyer took four bulls to average $6500, while another purchaser secured three at a $9000 average through an agent. Organisers acknowledged an inconsistent result was possible for a first-time standalone Charolais sale, noting that some strong bulls sold cheaply while others failed to sell. Despite the varied outcome, the sale is confirmed to return in 2027 at a similar time of year. Hayes and Co conducted the auction, with Stocklive providing the online bidding interface.
Key Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Top price | $13,000 |
| Bulls offered | 38 |
| Bulls sold | 28 |
| Clearance | 74% |
| Average price | $7454 |
| Vendors | 11 |
| 2025 Charolais draft average | $10,778 |
| Volume buyer (four bulls) average | $6500 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What was the top price at the inaugural Black Duck Charolais Invitational Bull Sale?
The sale topped at $13,000. The top-priced lot was a red factor, homozygous polled bull named Black Duck Venturous, a quiet rising two-year-old sold on September 5, 2026.
How many bulls sold and what was the clearance rate?
Of the 38 bulls offered by 11 vendors, 28 sold. That represented a 74 per cent clearance.
What was the average price?
The sale averaged $7454 per head across the 28 bulls that sold.
Where and when was the sale held?
It was held at the Silverdale Selling Complex in the Scenic Rim area of Queensland on Saturday, September 5, 2026. It was conducted as a standalone Charolais event for the first time.
Why was the sale created?
Organisers felt the Scenic Rim region lacked a dedicated Charolais market, especially as many local producers cross Charolais with tropical breeds. After the Silverdale Annual All Breeds Bull Sale was cancelled in 2026, they launched this standalone event.
Why are red factor Charolais bulls in demand there?
Commercial producers cross red factor Charolais over Droughtmasters to produce honey-coloured weaners. Those weaners currently attract higher demand than straight colours.
Will the sale be held again?
Yes, organisers confirmed the sale will return in 2027 at a similar time of year. The exact date is still to be confirmed.
