Bunya Bull Sale average climbs 29 per cent as a Droughtmaster stud record of $40,000 headlines the day
Summary
Confidence in Droughtmaster cattle ran high at the Bunya Bull Sale on September 5, 2026, where the average climbed 29 per cent on the previous year. Held at the Coolabunia Saleyard, the sale saw 46 of 56 bulls sell, an 82 per cent clearance, to average $10,152. That average was about $2300 higher than 2025 and clearance rose 10 per cent, while the top price nearly doubled the previous year's $24,000. A single post-sale transaction lifted the adjusted result to an $10,043 average and 84 per cent clearance. The headline price of $40,000, a stud record, was paid for Carnudge Nazareth, offered by a Mingo family and knocked down to a Pimpama buyer operating the Cebella and Yellowwood studs. Bidding opened at $10,000 for the 36-month-old homozygous polled sire, a son of Carnudge Dominator and Carnudge Butterscotch, which carried a 146 square centimetre eye muscle area and weighed 1112 kilograms. The buyers, who run a herd of 100 registered and commercial cows, plan to join him to about 30 selected stud females. The result marked the highest price in the vendor's 21st year of breeding Droughtmasters, and the bull had earned a senior champion title at Mundubbera. Other strong late results included a Wallace Vale bull at $20,000, an Eversleigh entry reaching $22,000 and another Eversleigh sire at $20,000. Support came from buyers as far west as Charleville and into northern New South Wales at the 13th annual sale. Elders and GDL were the selling agents, with vendor averages topped by the Carnudge prefix at $23,500.
Key Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Top price | $40,000 |
| Average | $10,152 |
| Clearance | 82% (46 of 56) |
| Average increase vs 2025 | 29% |
| 2025 top price | $24,000 |
| Top bull eye muscle area | 146 sq cm |
| Top bull weight | 1112 kg |
| Carnudge prefix average | $23,500 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What was the top price at the 2026 Bunya Bull Sale?
The top price was $40,000, a stud record, paid for a Droughtmaster bull named Carnudge Nazareth. It was reached on the second-last bull of the day.
How much did the average rise?
The average jumped 29 per cent on the previous year to $10,152. That was about $2300 higher than 2025
What was the clearance rate?
A total of 46 of 56 bulls sold under the hammer, an 82 per cent clearance. A post-sale transaction lifted the adjusted clearance to 84 per cent, with the average easing slightly to $10,043.
What were the details of the record-priced bull?
The record bull was a 36-month-old homozygous polled sire by Carnudge Dominator and out of Carnudge Butterscotch. It weighed 1112 kilograms with a 146 square centimetre eye muscle area, and had been senior champion bull at Mundubbera.
Where was the sale held and how did the top compare with last year?
The sale was held at the Coolabunia Saleyard on September 5, 2026. The $40,000 top almost doubled the previous year's $24,000 peak.
What other notable prices were achieved?
Late in the catalogue, a Wallace Vale bull made $20,000, an Eversleigh entry reached $22,000 and a second Eversleigh sire hit $20,000. The Eversleigh prefix averaged $21,000 across two bulls.
Where did buyers travel from?
Buyers came from as far west as Charleville and into northern New South Wales to support the 13th annual sale. The largest single order was five bulls at a $9800 average.
Who were the selling agents?
The sale was handled by Elders and GDL. The top vendor average was the Carnudge prefix at $23,500 across two bulls.
