Prestigious Palmal red hits $80,000 to top Big Country Brahman bull section

In continued muddy conditions a total of 238 red and grey bulls were offered at the Dalrymple Saleyards in Charters Towers on day two of the Big Country Bull and Female Sale, with a high bid of $80,000 reached.

Over the two days of this year's sale 330 bulls and females were offered and 272 sold for a clearance rate of 81 per cent, an average of $7428, and a gross of $2,020,500. In comparison, 369 bulls and females were offered for the 2024 sale with 337 selling for a 91pc clearance, an average of $8210, a gross of $2,766,750 and a high of $56,000.

The reds were first through the ring with 118 bulls offered. In all, 97 reds sold for a clearance rate of 82pc, for an average of $10,005 and a gross of $970,500.

Lot 24 Palmal Prestige, 2207 (IVF) (PP) offered by David and Julie McCamley, Palmal stud, Dingo, sold for the sale and red section high of $80,000 to Paul and Debbie Herrod, Ponderosa Brahmans, Katherine, Northern Territory. The Herrods bought six bulls in all at an average of $31,083.

Mr McCamley said Prestige was their lead red in their draft. The two-tooth, homozygous polled, 28-month-old son of Elmo Picasso 1023/7 (PP) out of Palmal Melina 9092 (PP), weighed 880kg, with fat scans of 12 millimetres on the P8 and 9mm on the rib, an eye muscle area (EMA) of 150 centimetres squared, intramuscular fat (IMF) of 4.7pc, a scrotal circumference of 44cm and 70pc semen motility.

"His sire, Elmo Picasso has performed well for us. Progeny by Picasso has sold for consistently strong returns since we bought him," he said.

"We always send some of our best bull to Big Country, and we were impressed with how this year's draft sold. We were pleased with our result, but it was a tough one for some of the other vendors. The circumstances with the weather played into that."

It didn't take long for bidding to rev up again when lot 28, Palmal Gibson 2099 (PP) sold for $51,000 to Brendan Gilliland, Brenannah Stud, Dalby. The 28-month-old son of Rockley Godric (IVS) (PS) out of Palmal Elyse 8838 (IVF) (PS) weighed 878kg, with P8 and rib fat measurements of 15mm and 10mm, a 143cm EMA, 5.8pc IMF, a 40cm scrotal circumference, and a motility measurement of 85pc.

The McCamleys saw their success from the 2024 sale continue in selling six reds at an average of $33,333 per head.

Lot 66, the 26-month-old Somerton Quintrex (PP) offered by David Dunn, Somerton stud, St Lawrence, claimed third top price honours of the red section, selling for $45,000 to Mark and Tarsh Allen, Kariboe Valley stud, Thangool. Mr Dunn sold two Somerton bulls on the day to average $24,500. The two-tooth 26-month-old Quintrex by Lanes Creek Dolemite 1555 (ET) (PS) out of Somerton Lady Toro 1st (IVF) (PS), weighed 812kg, with P8 and rib measurements of 9mm and 6mm respectively, a 142cm EMA, 3.7pc IMF, a 36cm scrotal circumference, and a 80pc motility score.

Vendors who sold well on the day were Eugene and Jessica Mollenhagen, Mountain Springs stud, Langley, who sold seven bulls to average $12,429, while Steve and Theresa Taylor, Clukan stud, Jambin, sold two reds to average $15,000.

Ashley Kirk, Rockley stud, Moura, sold five bulls to average $11,400, while Brian and Cindy Hughes, Lanes Creek stud sold eight reds to average $14,000, and Len and Peter Gibbs, Muan stud, Biggenden, sold 17 reds to average $8,235.

After the dust settled on the red contingent, the greys entered the ring. Out of the 120 greys offered, 98 sold to for a clearance of 82pc, to average $7107 and gross $696,500, with a top price of $62,500.

The banner day continued for the McCamley family, when lot 382 Palmal Ironman 2019 (PS)was also purchased by Ponderosa Brahmans, for a grey section topping $62,500. The 27-month-old four-tooth Ironman by Lanes Creek Ironbark 2291 (PS) out of Palmal Ellie 8277, weighed 792kg, with a P8 of 13mm and a rib measurement of 9mm, a 143cm EMA, 5.7pc IMF, a 43cm scrotal circumference, and a motility rate of 70pc.

Mr McCamley said they'd sold a bull to the Herrods at a previous Big Country sale.

"We were pleased that the Herrods were there this year and liked the bulls we had to offer.

"We bought Lanes Creek Ironbark at Big Country and Ironman was the first of his progeny to be put back through the sale. It was pleasing to see the sale work in that way."

A half-brother of Ironman sold for $28,000 in lot 383 when fellow Lanes Creek Ironbark 2291 son Palmal Iceman 2017 (PS) sold for $28,000 to Laura Wallace, Turalba stud, Cairns. Palmal averaged $42,250 for the two greys offered. The 27-month-old Iceman weighed in at 812kg, with P8 and rib measurements of 12mm and 10mm, a 138cm EMA, 5.7pc IMF, a 36cm scrotal circumference and a motility rate of 75pc.

The third top-priced grey came through in lot 373, when Paul and Melissa Ahern, Ahern stud, Gayndah, sold Ahern Fishel 1597 (PS) for $24,000 to the Kirk family. The Aherns averaged $15,333 for the three greys they sold. The 27-month-old Fishel, weighed 882kg, with 15mm and 12mm P8 and rib measurements, a 140cm EMA, 5pc IMF, a 36cm scrotal circumference, and 85pc motility.

Other vendors who fared well in the grey section were Matthew McCamley, Lancefield M stud, Dululu, who sold three bulls at an average of $8666, while the Curley family, Gipsy Plains stud also sold three greys to average $11,000.

Paul and Katherine Mackenzie, Arizona stud, Dingo, sold three greys to average $7667, and Gavin Webber and Callan Solari, Triple E stud, Prairie, sold two greys to average $9000.

The Turley family, Wandovale, Charters Towers were the volume buyer on the day. They took home 14 greys at an average of $3929.

Other volume buyers included John Nelson, Herbert Hall Enterprises, Charters Towers who bought nine grey bulls at an average of $5778. The Anning family, Wongalee, Hughenden, also purchased nine greys at an average of $5000. Beco Pastoral Company, Luthrie, Longreach, took home eight red bulls at an average of $7000.

There were bulls for producers large and small available at the sale, which was reflected by 39 bulls selling for more than $10,000, while 18 crossed the $20,000 mark. There was also good value buying with 112 bulls selling for $5000 or less.

• A full report of the 2025 Big Country Brahman Bull and Female Sale will appear in the February 13 editions of the North Queensland Register and Queensland Country Life.