Average and clearance lift at Black Stump Invitational bull sale in Blackall

Demand from new and returning commercial clients underpinned the Black Stump Invitational bull sale on Tuesday, March 18, which saw up to 65 per cent of bulls knocked down for $10,000 or more.

The premier multivendor, multi-breed sale saw nine returning vendors offer a diverse selection of bulls.

The sale included 13 Angus, five poll Hereford, six Braford, eight Brangus, 19 Charolais, 12 Charbray, 18 Simmental, two Simbrah, 16 Droughtmaster, and one Charmaster bull.

This year's participating vendors included: Mountain Valley Angus and Poll Herefords from Coolatai, New South Wales; Callaway Poll Herefords from Irvingdale; MCN Brafords from Bell; Strathgyle Brafords from Bell; Cobblegun Brangus from Glenmorgan; Mountview Charolais, Droughtmaster, and Charmaster from Cambooya; Wattlebray Charbrays from Chinchilla; Meldon Park Simmentals and Simbrahs from Cecil Plains; and Rondel Droughtmasters from Winton.

The sale saw 90 bulls sold out of 97 offered, achieving a clearance rate of 92 per cent, a top price of $20,000 for a Simmental bull, a gross of $910,000, with an average price of $10,111.

The top price for the day was $20,000 for Lot 64, a Simmental bull from Meldon Park Simmentals stud.

This year's average price marked an increase of $1501 compared to last year's sale, which saw 77 bulls sell for a 82pc clearance rate, an average price of $8610, and gross sales of $653,000.

Heading the 2025 sale was Meldon Park U4, a 26-month-old polled light red Simmental bull, offered by Rodney and Lis Skene at Meldon Park Simmentals.

Sired by Mavstar Rawhide 200 and out of Meldon Park L161, the sire prospect was sold to Warren and Trina Gleeson, Fairview Cattle Company, Alpha.

He weighed 900 kilograms, had P8 and rib fat measurements of 9 and 6 millimetres, an eye muscle area of 140 square centimetres, and measured 41cm in the scrotum.

The second top price of $18,000 was achieved twice for two Charolais bulls on account of the Bebbington family of Mountview Charolais, Cambooya.

Mountview UB40, a white polled Charolais bull, sold to Ben Avery, Allendale, Blackall, while Clayton and Melanie Arnold from Muttaburra secured Mountview Urban.

In a further breakdown of the sale results, 12 Angus bulls sold for a 100pc clearance, with an average price of $10,666 and a top price of $17,000.

Four Hereford bulls were sold, also a 100pc clearance, with an average price of $10,000 and a top price of $12,000.

The Braford draft had six bulls sold at 100pc clearance, averaging $9166, with a top price of $13,000.

Of the eight Brangus bulls offered, two sold, achieving a 25pc clearance, with an average price of $6000 and a top price of $6000.

The Charolais breed saw 19 bulls sold at 100pc clearance, with an average price of $11,500 and a top price of $18,000.

A single Charmaster bull sold for $8000.

The Charbray breed had 11 bulls sold out of 12 offered, averaging $7909, with a top price of $11,000.

All 18 Simmental bulls sold at 100pc clearance, averaging $10,555, with the top price reaching $20,000.

The Simbrah draft saw both bulls sold at 100pc clearance, averaging $10,500, with a top price of $15,000.

The Droughtmaster draft achieved a 100pc clearance with 15 bulls sold, averaging $10,266, and a top price of $17,000.

Commercial clients Dale and Kelsey Neilson, of Two Rivers Station, north of Boulia, and Albilbah at Yaraka, outlaid $105,600 to purchase nine bulls at $9600 average.

GDL studstock agent Mark Duthie credited the strong sale results to the high quality genetics on offer.

"We had the best line of bulls we've had in years," Mr Duthie said.

"The majority of bulls went to repeat clients, though we also saw new buyers stepping in to select genetics."

He added that there was a broad distribution of the bulls, with sales extending to areas such as Hughenden, Torrens Creek, Morven, Charleville, Longreach, Winton, Blackall, Alpha, Injune, and Barcaldine, among others.

Mr Duthie highlighted that there were opportunities for value purchases on the day, though he noted that a significant proportion of the bulls sold for $10,000 or more.

"Buyers were willing to pay a premium for good quality bulls," he said.

• Agents: GDL Studstock, simulcast on Stocklive