Gympie Brahman Female Sale to celebrate its golden anniversary in style

A diverse range of polled and horned genetics to suit all buyers has been catalogued for the golden anniversary of the Gympie Brahman Female Sale, taking place from 9.30am on Saturday, June 7, at the Gympie Saleyards.

For the 50th sale, 107 registered females (35 reds and 72 greys) and one embryo package have been selected by 31 vendors, including 13 vendors who'll make their Gympie sale debut.

Australian Brahman Breeders' Association South Queensland branch chairman David Harch said this year's draft is looking "very exciting".

"It's really shaping up to be a good sale. There will be strong, fresh genetics on offer and there's a good middle-of-the-range genetic pool for buyers to choose from as well," Mr Harch said.

He said the Gympie sale has maintained its appeal for half a century due to the positive and forward-thinking attitude in which it has been run.

"Regardless of seasonal conditions or the state of the market, this sale has always gone ahead. The vendors have always put forward a good, strong run of females, which buyers have continued to respond to."

The sale has never changed its name or venue.

"I'd like to thank our past committee members and the founders of the sale, notably Graham Bauer, Percy Bishop, Royce Sommerfeld, and Bill Blakely, among others. They helped develop the sale in its early days when the going was tougher. They kept it running, and we're extremely grateful for that.

"We're proud, as a branch, to run this sale. To be celebrating its 50th anniversary is a great achievement for the branch and ABBA in general. We look forward to seeing many vendors, past and present, on the day."

Mr Harch has been on the sale committee for 25 years and said it has been the improvement in genetics offered through the sale over the years that has impressed him the most.

"From the first sale, quality females were sold through this sale, but it has been the inclusion of new genetics that has always helped the vendors with the forward movement of the sale."

The first sale was held in 1975 at the Gympie Saleyards, where 72 purebred registered females averaged $226 and 32 appendix females averaged $182. The sale had a top price of $1550.

"The vendors have always been very supportive of the sale. There are vendors that have been selling at Gympie for a long time, and they've always encouraged the vendors that have entered the sale in later years."

At the 2024 sale, heifers sold to a top of $57,500 and a second-top of $45,000 to average $7463. The top price bid surpassed the $55,000 record set at the 2023 sale.

In all, 25 vendors offered 83 females in 2024, from which 67 sold for a clearance of 80 per cent. In a further rundown, 42 out of the 54 grey heifers offered sold for an average of $8274 and 78pc clearance, while 25 out of the 29 red heifers offered sold for an average price of $6100 and an 86pc clearance.

"We're anticipating that we'll achieve another strong result this year. The vendors have certainly put up a strong line of heifers, so all credit to them."

"I wish all vendors and buyers well for what should be a particularly exciting and special sale this year."

To help celebrate this milestone sale, a barbecue will be held at the saleyards on the Friday night after inspections of the sale lots have been conducted.

ABBA treasurer Wendy Cole said melt-in-your-mouth Brahman steaks will be on the menu, and a 50th anniversary cake will be cut.

"All vendors, buyers, and others involved in the sale are welcome to attend. It'll be a great get-together. We're expecting more than 100 people, including vendors past and present, and all ABBA life members have also been invited," Ms Cole said.

She said Gympie Regional Council mayor Glen Hartwig will show his support for the sale by choosing what he thinks are the best red and grey heifers pre-sale, with the winners to receive an engraved Yeti cup.

"At the saleyards we'll have corflutes up detailing the evolution of the sale across half a century."

Those who're unable to make the trip to Gympie, but wish to be involved, can watch the sale unfold and make bids through AuctionsPlus. All lots catalogued for this year's sale will be available for inspection from 3pm to 5pm on Friday, June 6. The catalogue can be viewed on the ABBA and AuctionsPlus websites.

For enquiries, please call your preferred sale agent from Elders, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Sullivan Livestock & Rural Services, and GDL.