Prestigious Palmal red hits Big Country top price

In continued muddy conditions a total of 241 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 335 bulls and females were offered and 246 sold for a clearance rate of 73 per cent, an average of $7835 and a gross of $1,927,500. 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 121 bulls offered. In all, 82 reds sold for a clearance rate of 69 per cent, for an average of $11,110 and a gross of $911,000.

Lot 24 Palmal Prestige, 2207 (IVF) (PP), by Elmo Picasso 1023/7 (PP) out of Palmal Melina 9092 (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.

It didn't take long for bidding to rev up again when lot 28 Palmal Gibson 2099 (PP) by Rockley Godric (IVS) (PS) out of Palmal Elyse 8838 (IVF) (PS) sold for $51,000 to Brendan Gilliland, Brenannah Stud, Dalby.

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

Lot 66 Somerton Quintrex (PP) by Lanes Creek Dolemite 1555 (ET) (PS) out of Somerton Lady Toro 1st (IVF) (PS), 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.

Vendors who sold for above the red section average on the day were Eugene and Jessica Mollenhagen, Mountain Springs stud, Langley, who sold six bulls to average $13,833, 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 nine reds to average $12,889, and Len and Peter Gibbs, Muan stud, Biggenden, also sold nine reds to average $11,778.

After the dust settled on the red contingent, the greys entered the ring. Out of the 120 greys offered, 93 sold to for a clearance of 78pc, to average $7220 and gross $671,500, with a top price of $62,500.

The banner day continued for the McCamley family, when lot 382 Palmal Ironman 2019 (PS) by Lanes Creek Ironbark 2291 (PS) out of Palmal Ellie 8277 was also purchased by Ponderosa Brahmans, for a grey section topping $62,500.

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 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.

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 91 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.