Victorian finisher secures $20,000 top-priced Charolais bull as Minnie-Vale clears all 40 head
Summary
Strong support from new and returning clients underpinned the 23rd annual Minnie-Vale Charolais on-property sale at Narrabri, where the draft achieved a full clearance and bulls sold to a top of $20,000. All 40 bulls offered were sold for an average of $10,925, with buyers travelling from as far north as Emerald in Queensland to north-east Victoria. The result was particularly pleasing given a number of local clients had stepped back after widespread cow sell-offs during the dry autumn months. The top-priced bull, an 802-kilogram, 20-month-old sire, sold to a first-time Victorian buyer operating an Angus herd, and ranked in the top 30 per cent of the Charolais Breedplan for all growth traits and the top 20 per cent for milk. Both its sire and dam carried the red factor gene, offering the potential to produce high-performing black calves with added growth and yield when joined to Angus cows. That buyer, introducing Charolais genetics to lift stretch, growth and carcase performance for a premium supermarket beef program, secured 10 bulls for an average of $13,200 and paid a second-top price of $17,000 three times across the catalogue. A returning Queensland operation bought four bulls averaging $15,250, also paying $17,000. Other buyers paid to $14,000, with additional pens selling around $8000 to $8333. The sale was conducted by Davidson and Cameron, with AuctionsPlus providing the online interface for the widely supported offering.
Key Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Top price bull | $20,000 |
| Bulls sold | 40 of 40 (full clearance) |
| Overall average | $10,925 |
| Volume buyer purchase | 10 bulls at $13,200 average |
| Second-top price | $17,000 |
| Top bull weight | 802kg |
| Top bull age | 20 months |
| Sale number | 23rd annual |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What was the top price at the 2026 Minnie-Vale Charolais sale?
The top-priced bull sold for $20,000 to a first-time Victorian buyer. The 802-kilogram, 20-month-old sire ranked in the top 30 per cent of the Charolais Breedplan for all growth traits.
Did the sale clear?
Yes, the sale recorded a full clearance with all 40 bulls sold. The overall average was $10,925.
Why was the red factor gene significant?
Both the top bull's sire and dam carried the red factor gene. Joined to Angus cows, this offers the potential to produce high-performing black calves with added growth and yield.
Who was the volume buyer?
A Victorian Angus operation secured 10 bulls for an average of $13,200. It is introducing Charolais genetics to add stretch, growth and improved carcase performance.
What was the second-top price?
A second-top price of $17,000 was paid several times across the catalogue. The buyers included the volume purchaser and a returning Queensland operation.
Where did the bulls sell to?
Bulls found new homes from as far north as Emerald in Queensland down to north-east Victoria. Widespread and repeat buyer support underpinned the result.
Why was the strong result notable this year?
A number of local clients had stepped back after widespread cow sell-offs during the dry autumn. Buyers from other areas, both new and repeat, filled that gap.
