Raff Angus clears all 84 bulls for a record-near $15,369 average and $1.29 million gross at its 2026 Drillham sale
Summary
The 2026 Raff Angus 'Bulls with a Difference' sale at Drillham on Friday, August 14 delivered a standout result, clearing all 84 bulls offered for the stud's second-highest average ever of $15,369 and a gross of $1,291,000. Four lots of semen straws averaged $1050, while a single embryo lot made $12,000. The result built on the previous year, the stud's first back on the mainland since 2015, when 85 bulls sold to 100 per cent clearance at a $13,812 average. Strong competition surrounded the top-priced bull, lot 39 Raff Eyes Onyou W57, which sold for $30,000 to a Kaimkillenbun buyer. The 18-month-old, 736 kilogram bull was sired by E G Eyes Onyou and recorded 14mm of rump fat, 8mm of rib fat and an eye muscle area of 116 square centimetres. From the same sire, lot 38 Raff Eyes Onyou W56 made $29,000, while lot 40 Raff Eyes Onyou W381 sold for $24,000 through an online platform to a Barcaldine operation. The top-priced buyer purchased the bull to launch an Angus line alongside an established Hereford stud, aiming to offer both breeds to clients and eventually breed black baldy progeny. Bulk buyers were active, with a Quilpie operation taking 10 head at an average of $11,600 and a Julia Creek buyer securing nine head at an average of $14,444. The stud estimated around 30 per cent of buyers were new, a result credited to consistent breeding and a seedstock program emphasising performance, vaccination, semen testing and improved genetics. GDL interfaced with StockLive for the sale.
Key Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Bulls sold | 84 (100% cleared) |
| Average price | $15,369 |
| Sale gross | $1,291,000 |
| Top price | $30,000 |
| Top bull weight | 736kg at 18 months |
| Semen straw lots average | $1050 |
| Embryo lot price | $12,000 |
| New buyers | about 30% |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How did the 2026 Raff Angus sale perform?
The stud cleared all 84 bulls at Drillham on August 14, achieving its second-highest average ever of $15,369. The sale grossed $1,291,000.
What was the top price and what did the bull offer?
The top-priced bull sold for $30,000. The 18-month-old, 736 kilogram bull recorded 14mm of rump fat, 8mm of rib fat and an eye muscle area of 116 square centimetres.
How did this year compare with last year's sale?
Last year, the stud's first back on the mainland since 2015, saw 85 bulls sell to 100 per cent clearance at a $13,812 average and a $1,174,000 gross. The 2026 average of $15,369 was higher, on 84 bulls.
What else sold besides bulls?
Four lots of semen straws were offered and all sold for a $1050 average. One embryo lot was also offered and sold for $12,000.
Why did the top buyer purchase the bull?
The buyer wanted to introduce an Angus line alongside an established Hereford stud to appeal to more clients. The plan is to offer both breeds and eventually breed black baldy steers and heifers over commercial Hereford cows.
Who were the bulk buyers?
A Quilpie operation purchased 10 head at an average of $11,600. A Julia Creek buyer took nine head at an average of $14,444.
How many buyers were new to the sale?
The stud estimated around 30 per cent of buyers were new. The result was credited to consistent breeding and a seedstock program focused on performance, vaccination, semen testing and improved genetics.
