Top price record smashed at AG-Grow Elders Elite Bull Sale in Emerald
A black Simmental bred in South Australia set a new record high at the 2025 Elders AG-Grow Elite Bull Sale in Emerald, on Thursday, June 26.
It was Tom and Lizzy Baker and their family of Woonallee Simmentals, Millicent, South Australia, who headlined the sale, with Woonallee U419, reaching the record $46,000 by way of a bid from Glen Waldron and Kim Groner, Elite Cattle Co, Meandarra.
In total, 136 bulls of 182 sold to represent a clearance rate of 75 per cent, gross of $1,504,000 and average of $11,058.
The average was up $2822 on last year's $8236, which saw 183 lots offered and 81pc cleared to gross $1.219 million.
The previous record was set in 2021 by Meldon Park when their Simmental bull sold for $38,000.
Sired by Woonallee Show Stopper and out of Woonallee Lily S192, the 25-month-old record price bull tipped the scales at 906 kilograms and measured 39 centimetres in scrotal circumference.
He scanned 147 square centimetres for eye muscle area and 8mm and 6mm, respectively, for P8 and rib fats.
Glen Waldron said they were return buyers of Woonallee Simmental genetics.
But Woonallee U419 had an outcross pedigree similar to what they were chasing and was an "all round package and full of carcase".
"We really admired the balance of this bull," Mr Waldron said.
"Just the ideal carcase, good feet and legs, wonderful, quiet disposition.
"We're excited to see what he can do for us.
"We'll just draft out of cows that we think he'll suit him, and give him 30 cows the first year and see how he goes."
Woonallee Simmentals stud principal Tom Baker said the bull was out of one of their home-bred sires, Woonallee Show Stopper, which has produced a number of their top price bulls recently.
He was brought up from South Australia to Queensland in March, where he was prepared by Steve Heywood and Kelly Smith.
"He's got up here, he's jumped out of his skin," Mr Baker said.
The sale-topping bull was just the tip of the iceberg for the Woonallee Simmentals draft, with their five lots clearing for an average of $23,800.
It was the Baker's fourth time selling at Emerald AG-Grow, and Mr Baker said the top black Simmental bull was the best they'd sent.
"What we're finding is that the homozygous polled, black hided cattle have got a little bit more thickness and type to them are certainly what people are looking for," he said.
"Maybe it's just a little bit more muscle, a little bit more shape and a little bit more bone than an Angus can offer."
Stud and commercial producers from Queensland through to Casino, New South Wales, chased the variety of genetics on offer at this year's sale.
Not far behind at $34,000 was the Simmental bull, KBV Undo, offered by Marty Rowlands and Stephen Lean, KBV Simmentals, Djuan.
Secured by Steve Swan, Shadyland Pty Ltd, Inala, Moura, the 23-month-old was the heaviest bull in the sale at 1046kg, and measured 45cm in the scrotum.
He boasted an EMA of 152sq cm, and P8 and rib fats of 11mm and 7mm, respectively.
Mr Swan, who also owns Swan Droughtmasters stud, said he purchased the polled, scurred Simmental bull with the aim to diversify his herd and enhance productivity through crossbreeding.
He said the move was a strategic decision to introduce new genetics into his existing program.
"I've decided to introduce Simmental bulls into my Droughtmaster operation by joining them with Droughtmaster cows," he said.
"My goal is to run two distinct lines -one of purebred Droughtmasters and the other a Simmental-Droughtmaster cross."
Mr Swan said the objective behind the crossbreeding strategy was to boost weight for age performance, utilising the benefits of hybrid vigour and the natural softness of the Simmental breed.
An EU and Grasslands-accredited producer, Mr Swan currently markets his weaner steers and heifers, typically weighing between 250kg and 300kg, through the online livestock platform, AuctionsPlus.
In the sale catalogue breakdown, all 33 Charolais sold to a top price of $24,000 for lot 16, Moongool Mr U779, offered by the Price family of Moongool Charolais, Yuleba.
A total of 47 out of 58 Simmental bulls were sold for an average of $12,426.
Of the Angus offering, 27 out of 42 sold, with a top price of $18,000 achieved by K5X Unsuspecting U78 from K5X Angus, Allora.
The Angus bulls averaged $8926.
All two SimAngus bulls were sold, topping at $7000 for Yerwal Estate Under Armour U081 from Yerwal Estate Simmental and Angus stud, SA, and averaging $6500.
Three out of five Limousin bulls found buyers, each selling for $6000.
One of the 12 Murray Grey bulls was sold, with Shell-Dee Iron King Pin from Shell-Dee Murray Greys, Kingaroy, selling for $9000.
In the Simbrah category, 13 of 14 bulls sold, reaching a top of $20,000 for Gowrie Ursus from Gowrie Simbrah and Simmental stud, Bunya Mountains. The Simbrah bulls averaged $10,386.
Two out of five Brangus bulls sold, both for $6000.
All six Poll Hereford bulls offered were sold, each making $6000.
The Bode family from McKinlay were the top volume buyers of the day, buying seven bulls at an average of $14,428.
The Day family of Blackall purchased six bulls at an average price of $8833, while JM Allan and Sons Pty Ltd also secured six bulls, averaging $10,000.
Sale coordinator, Elders studstock's Anthony Ball was pleased with the sale result.
"There was certainly some solid buying. Some breeds probably performed better than others, but the quality was pretty good," she said.
"Overall, I think, on a rebuilding cattle market and a rebuilding season, and being one of the first bull sales off the rank in Queensland this season, I'm pretty pleased with the result.
"We had buyers come up as far north as Georgetown, and as far south as Casino, NSW, so this sale is really developing a reputation for quality, and we're seeing bulls go further field.
"Probably one thing we did see was a lot of buyers running after one, two or three bulls, and they're only buying what they needed to buy to replenish, what their requirements are this early in the season."
- Selling agents: Elders and simulcast on StockLive.
