Top price bull of 2025 Lilydale Charolais Sale bound for stud duties
Progeny of the top price bull at the 18th annual Lilydale Charolais Invitational Sale could be coming back through the sale ring in the future, if his new owners have their way.
About 100 people, including 70 registered bidders, packed out the stands at the Toogoolawah showground on Thursday, July 24 for the sale.
All but one of the 55 bulls sold in the ring for a clearance of 98.1 per cent and a gross sale value of $456,000.
The unsold bull was cleared at the conclusion of bidding.
The average price of $8280.70 was about $2300 behind the record set at the 2024 event of a $10,565 average and 100pc clearance, when Lilydale Tailor Made fetched the top price of $18,000.
Jim and Janice Spreadborough's heterozygous polled Bird Hill Utah topped the sale in 2025 at 24 months old, selling to the Scheiwe family of Brendale Charolais at Plainland for $19,000.
Ms Spreadborough, based at West Blenheim, said Bird Hill Utah's sire, Milford Braxton, was imported from one of New Zealand's leading studs.
"He is out of one of our best cow lines, with dam Bird Hill Roslyn... that goes back to Advance XR8," Ms Spreadborough said.
"We target an animal with a good temperament that can lay down fat.
"And we are happy with where he has gone."
Brendale Charolais principal Paul Scheiwe said the Bird Hill bull ticked all the boxes.
"Our family has bought a new property at Emu Creek with capacity for about 100-120 females, and we need bulls for it," Mr Scheiwe said.
"He will be joined to purebred Charolais stud cows and stud heifers in spring.
"You will see his progeny at the Advance bull sale in Roma in years to come."
The Scheiwe family also paid the third-highest price on the day for Lilydale Unique at 20 months, from Ross Sticklen and Janine Lau, Lilydale stud, Helidon, for $15,000.
Fierce bidding was limited to the 16 lots that sold for $10,000 or more, in what was described as a buyers' market by Lilydale principal and sale organiser Ross Sticklen.
"It was a red hot sale last year, with many commercial buyers chasing bulls on the back of high prices for heavy steers," Mr Sticklen said.
"People were more selective this year, and they got good value for money."
Buyers sent cattle to local areas around the Brisbane Valley, Burnett and Scenic Rim, as well as new areas for the Lilydale sale such as Rockhampton, Millmerran and Warwick.
In terms of bulk buying, Wallace Cattle Co through GDL Rockhampton paid an average of $6666.67 for their three bulls, while the Drynan family, Eurara Pty Ltd, Innisplain, averaged $8000 for three.
Two calf and cow units were also offered and sold, for $10,000 and $6000.
- Agents: Boyd O'Brien Bartholomew and StockLive
