Efficiency-focused Glenavon Angus sale clears 107 bulls to a $24,000 top and $10,420 average
Summary
An efficiency-focused breeding program drew strong demand at the 42nd annual Glenavon Angus sale, where bulls topped at $24,000 and buyers travelled from across New South Wales, southern and western Queensland and western Victoria. Despite a challenging eight-month preparation through severe drought, all 107 bulls were offered and sold for an average of $10,420. The draft comprised 80 two-year-old bulls, including the sale topper, averaging $10,912, and 27 yearling bulls that topped at $15,000 and averaged $8962. The result was slightly below the snow-impacted previous year, when 119 of 126 bulls averaged $11,815. The $24,000 top-priced bull, an 886-kilogram sire calved in July 2024, posted estimated breeding values in the top 10 per cent of the breed for 200-day and 600-day growth and the top 5 per cent for 400-day growth, along with an intramuscular fat value of +1.8 and an eye muscle area of +3.2. The vendor highlighted benchmarking data showing the herd produced beef for $1.37 a kilogram in 2024-25, well below the industry average of $3 to $4, while producing 255 kilograms of beef per hectare. Equal second-top honours went to two bulls at $22,000. Volume buyers were active from Victoria and Queensland, with one operation securing 15 bulls at an $8800 average and another taking eight bulls averaging $9500. The sale was conducted by Elders Armidale and Guyra, with online bidding facilitated through AuctionsPlus.
Key Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Top price bull | $24,000 |
| Bulls sold | 107 of 107 (full clearance) |
| Overall average | $10,420 |
| Two-year-old bull average (80 head) | $10,912 |
| Yearling bull average (27 head) | $8,962 |
| Cost of production 2024-25 | $1.37 per kg |
| Beef produced per hectare | 255kg/ha |
| Sale number | 42nd annual |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What was the top price at the 2026 Glenavon Angus sale?
The top-priced bull sold for $24,000. The 886-kilogram sire was calved in July 2024 and posted growth EBVs in the top 10 per cent of the breed.
Did all the bulls sell?
Yes, all 107 bulls were offered and sold for an average of $10,420. The two-year-old bulls averaged $10,912 and the yearlings averaged $8962.
How did the average compare with last year?
The overall average was slightly below the snow-impacted previous year. In that sale, 119 of 126 bulls averaged $11,815.
What breeding values did the top bull carry?
The top bull featured in the top 10 per cent of the breed for 200-day and 600-day growth and the top 5 per cent for 400-day growth. It also posted an intramuscular fat value of +1.8 and an eye muscle area of +3.2.
What did the benchmarking data show about cost of production?
The herd produced beef for $1.37 a kilogram in 2024-25. This was well below the quoted industry average of $3 to $4 per kilogram.
How productive was the herd per hectare?
The operation produced 255 kilograms of beef per hectare in 2024-25. Spreading fixed costs across extra kilograms was highlighted as key to profitability.
Where did buyers travel from?
Buyers came from across New South Wales, southern and western Queensland and western Victoria. Volume purchases were made by operations from both Victoria and Queensland.
