Herd bull sells for equal top at the 2025 Barambah-Dale Charolais sale
A herd bull has sold for the equal top price at the Barambah-Dale Charolais annual sale, fetching the same price as the progeny of a high-performing sire.
About 100 people packed the stands at Wingfield, Dalby, on Thursday, August 21, for the Davis family's second annual Brarambah-Dale sale held on-property.
All 69 bulls sold through the ring for a 100 per cent clearance, a gross sale value of $974,000, and an average price of $14,115.
By comparison, the 2024 sale saw a 100pc clearance on 66 bulls, a gross of $701,000, an average of $10,621, and a top price of $22,000.
Two bulls sold for the top price of $22,000 in 2025: Com nine herd bull went to the Grieve Family of Paradise Grazing, Nanango, and Barambah-Dale Ultimate went to the Price Family of Marengo, Aramac, represented by KellCo Rural.
Com nine herd bull was 24 months old, polled, and weighed 810 kilograms.
He had an eye muscle area of 145 square centimetres, scrotal circumference of 40cm, intramuscular fat of 5.4pc, as well as P8 and rib fat measurements of 12 and nine millimetres.
Barambah-Dale principal Wayne Davis said it was a good result, thanks to both new and returning buyers.
"We had more interest from western areas and northern New South Wales today, as well as our regular client base around the Brisbane Valley and Burnett," Mr Davis said.
"The top-price herd bull was still out of a dam from our stud herd, but had less time on his dam.
"He was a nice, soft, easy-finishing bull with a beautiful, sleek coat.
"Barambah-Dale Ultimate was by our longest-running sire, ANC Medal, who has come to the end of his seven years of service.
"He was a terrific bull: he produced progeny with the muscle and fat cover we look for.
"And his dam, Barambah-Dale Malinda, is a good example of the larger-framed cows we use in our stud herd."
Barambah-Dale Ultimate was 23 months old, polled, and weighed 812 kilograms.
He had an eye muscle area of 144 sq cm, a scrotal circumference of 41cm, intramuscular fat of 5.9pc, as well as P8 and rib fat measurements of 13 and 10mm.
Both top-price bull buyers had commercial operations and sold into the weaner market.
Paradise Grazing principal Rob Grieve said he liked the top herd bull's style, alongside his good muscling and fat cover.
"He had a bit of get up and go about him that made him stand out," Mr Grieve said.
"We will join him naturally from about October onwards, and likely sell his progeny through the Toogoolawah saleyards."
The Grieve family also bought the top-price bull at the 2024 Barambah-Dale sale.
KellCo Rural principal Andrew Cavanagh said his client, the Price family, was looking for an easy-fleshing bull, with good muscle and fat cover.
"He will do a season with a stud herd before joining a Euro grasslands herd of Charolais, Santa Gertrudis and Shorthorns," Mr Cavanagh said.
"Most of his progeny will be sold online through AuctionsPlus."
The Barambah-Dale stud had produced a fantastic line of commercially relevant bulls, according to Shepherdson & Boyd agent Jack Fogg.
"There was even more interest in the sale than usual from Brisbane Valley, and buyers attended from all over Queensland," Mr Fogg said.
"Wayne and his family understand what the industry looks for in bulls, in part because they fatten thousands of head themselves."
Ridgelands principal Troy Roberts, based at Injune, bought the largest number of lots on the day, with five head for an average of $14,600.
"We were looking for structurally correct bulls with good growth and eye appeal," Mr Roberts said.
"They will go into a herd of Charolais, Santa Gertrudis, and Brahman cows, and get about 40 each.
"The bulls we bought today will be enough to last us this season.
"We have a five-month joining window, season depending, from the first week of November onwards."
- Agents: Shepherdson & Boyd and TopX.
