National Braford Sale's $50,000 top price falls twice at Gracemere as drought trims the clearance to 84 per cent
Summary
The 2026 National Braford Sale at CQLX Gracemere produced plenty of high prices, even as some large commercial orders stayed away amid drought preparation and flood recovery. From 192 bulls offered, 161 sold for an 84 per cent clearance, down from 90 per cent in 2025, at an average of $11,593 compared with $13,477 a year earlier. The sale grossed $1,866,500. A top price of $50,000 was reached twice, just shy of the breed record of $60,000 set last year. The first $50,000 bull was a 23-month-old poll sire weighing 956 kilograms, with a 140 square centimetre eye muscle area and 6.2 per cent intramuscular fat, secured as part of a five-bull draft averaging $30,500. The equal-top bull was a 31-month-old weighing 1025 kilograms, showing a 136 square centimetre eye muscle area and 5.7 per cent intramuscular fat. One vendor achieved a full clearance of 17 bulls to average $19,441, while another sold 11 of 12 bulls to average $15,227. In all, 24 bulls made $20,000 or more, two sold for $45,000, and one reached $40,000. The bulk buyer took 10 head to average $6300, and the median price at the fall of the hammer was $8000. Selling agents were GDL, Elders and Nutrien, with strong new buying support drawn from across Queensland and New South Wales.
Key Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Bulls sold | 161 of 192 |
| Clearance rate | 84% |
| Average price | $11,593 |
| Sale gross | $1,866,500 |
| Top price | $50,000 |
| Median price | $8000 |
| Bulls sold $20,000 or more | 24 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What was the clearance and average at the 2026 National Braford Sale?
The sale saw 161 of 192 bulls sell for an 84 per cent clearance, down from 90 per cent in 2025. The average was $11,593, compared with $13,477 the previous year, and the sale grossed $1,866,500.
What was the top price?
A top of $50,000 was reached twice, just below the breed record of $60,000 set the year before. The two equal-top bulls came from the Carinya and Harriett Valley studs.
Why were prices softer than in 2025?
Some regular and large commercial orders were absent because buyers were preparing for drought or still recovering from flood. This affected the overall clearance and average, though the sale and lineup were still regarded as strong.
What data did the top bulls record?
The first $50,000 bull weighed 956 kilograms with a 140 square centimetre eye muscle area and 6.2 per cent intramuscular fat. The equal-top bull weighed 1025 kilograms with a 136 square centimetre eye muscle area and 5.7 per cent intramuscular fat.
Which vendor achieved the highest average?
One vendor recorded a full clearance of 17 bulls to average $19,441. Another sold 11 of 12 bulls to average $15,227, up around $2455 on the previous year.
How many bulls sold for high prices?
In total, 24 bulls made $20,000 or more. Two bulls sold for $45,000 and another reached $40,000, while the median price at the fall of the hammer was $8000.
Who were the selling agents?
The selling agents were GDL, Elders and Nutrien. The bulk buyer of the sale took 10 head to average $6300.
