Ekka champion fetches top price at 2025 Coolabunia Classic Charolais sale
The grand champion Charolais bull at the 2025 Royal Queensland Show has gone on to fetch top price at the Coolabunia Classic sale, amid a bumper result for vendors.
The stands were packed with more than 150 people at the Coolabunia Saleyards on Thursday, August 14, for the invitational Charolais sale's 13th edition.
All 59 lots sold on the day, for a 100 per cent clearance, a gross sale value of $640,000, and an average of $11,228.
All major sale indicators were up on the 2024 result, when agents achieved a 96.2pc clearance, an average of $9320, and a top price of $16,000.
In 2025, five of the first 20 bulls sold through the ring at or above the previous year's top price, but the fiercest bidding was reserved for lot 42.
The Leddington-Hill family, based at Nanango, sold LHU Ultimate for the top price of $25,000 to Bruce and Margaret McConnaughty of the Elstow Charolais Stud, Baradine, NSW, in their second year selling at the Coolabunia Classic.
LHU Ultimate weighed 1065 kilograms, with an eye muscle area of 147 square centimetres, scrotal circumference of 42.5cm, intramuscular fat of 5.3pc, as well as P8 and rib fat measurements of 13 and 10 millimetres.
LHU Agribusiness principal, Sharon Leddington-Hill, based at Nanango, said the Ekka factor probably made a difference.
"It has been a massive two weeks for our family," Ms Leddington-Hill said.
"LHU Ultimate was by a tidy, classy bull in CML Distinction,... and out of Charnelle Friesia, who was a good milking cow with a solid structure.
"We fed him in the paddock until March, then on our own feed mix with plenty of fibre.
"He handled the atmosphere at the Ekka well; people sat down right next to him and he was unfazed."
Ms Leddington-Hill said the family started their Charolais stud in 2021.
"Les and I managed Siwa south of Roma for many years and made the decision to purchase our own small parcel of land instead of sending our kids to boarding school," she said.
"Over the years, we have been trading all types of cattle and producing hay for stud and commercial livestock clients.
"We researched the benefits of running a stud herd, and the Charolais appealed to us for their demand, weight gain, and profitability.
"At the moment, we are working towards building a quality female herd, while still using artificial insemination and embryo programs."
Mr McConnaugty said the top bull would join his stud herd of about 200 breeders.
"This year is the first time we have attended the Coolabunia Classic," Mr McConnaughty said.
"We liked that LHU Ultimate was homozygous polled, with lots of eye muscle and fat cover.
"He will be joined naturally with about 40 females in December to calve in spring.
"And you will probably see his progeny at our Elstow on-property sale in years to come."
Strong interest from both repeat buyers and new buyers from across Australia underpinned the sale result, according to Aussie Land and Livestock agent Midge Thompson.
"Bidders attended online and in-person from as far as Charters Towers, Western Australia, and Tasmania, as well as areas surrounding Tamworth and Coonabarabran, NSW," Mr Thompson said.
"Commercial buyers from western areas such as Injune and Augathella also attended.
"It was a great result for vendors, but there was also plenty of value on offer for buyers, with a number of lots selling for less than $10,000."
About 40 different buyers took home bulls at the sale, which was an increase on previous years, according to Mr Thompson.
Commercial cattle producers Harold and Pam Dwyer bought the largest number of lots on the day, picking up four head for an average price of $11,500.
Sale committee chair Graham Blanch said he couldn't be happier with the quality of bulls offered by newer vendors, such as LHU Agribusiness, Clearview Charolais, and Cooranga Charolais.
- Agents: Aussie Land and Livestock and StockLive.
