ANC Charolais sale sets strong early benchmark, solid base from repeat buyers

The 2025 ANC Full French Charolais Sale on property near Guluguba on Friday, August 29, recorded a satisfying result with packed stands of over 100 registered buyers.

In a wrap of the sale, all 131 bulls sold for an average of $11,672, a total clearance.

Lot 11 topped the catalogue at $38,000, selling to the Price family's Moongool Charolais stud, setting a strong benchmark early in the sale.

The 2025 top-priced bull, ANC Upper Barkly Tablela, was sired by GDA Premier and out of ANC Flair's Elaine.

The 25-month-old weighed in at 964kg, had an eye muscle area of 152 square centimetres, and a rump and rib fat of 9mm and 6mm respectively. His intramuscular fat was 5.3 per cent.

In the female offering, 44 of 48 sold for a 92 per cent clearance and averaged $5648.

The top female, Lot 141 ANC Pachino's Almway, made $15,000 and was purchased by Gavin Scott, Yacamunda, Collinsville.

She was sired by ANC Pachino and out of ANC Premier's Almay.

Overall, the sale grossed $1,770,500 with a 98pc clearance.

For comparison, the 2024 sale achieved a 99pc clearance with 118 bulls sold for an average of $11,644 and a top price of $35,000.

Bulk buying support was evident throughout the catalogue.

APL from Casino secured a total of 17 bulls for clients down in NSW, while Michael Lawlor of the Kilkenny stud at Taroom secured seven head, including the $26,000 Lot 19, which was the second-top-priced bull.

Robert Patterson, buying on behalf of Burunga Pastoral Company from Wandoan secured six head, with selections focused on "big, powerful, meaty bulls that produce heavy weaners year in, year out".

Buyer Gavin Scott was also among the strong supporters of the sale, taking home the $15,000 top-priced female alongside a draft of bulls.

"We've been coming here for about 10 years and probably buy up to 10 to 12 bulls a year," he said.

With the increase in bull prices, Mr Scott said the decision to purchase the top-priced female of the day was to hopefully start breeding bulls for use in their commercial program as a way to mitigate studstock prices.

"They go back over our Brahman herd, and we try to keep the French influence coming through," he said.

"You've got to nearly breed them yourself these days, the way prices are going. They grow out well on our country and they acclimatise, which means they just keep working."

Mr Patterson said the Boot family were again satisfied with their purchases.

ANC stud principal Andrew Cass said he was pleased with the clearance and the continued repeat support.

"I think buyers would be very happy," he said. "We believe the bulls were better than last year's draft, but the average was back a little from last year, which is good for buyers."

Mr Cass noted this was the second year females had been offered at the sale.

"They went surprisingly well - averaging more than last year, which was a pleasant surprise," he said.

"It's something we'll keep reviewing, but we're pleased with the support."

• Selling agents - Nutrien Ag Solutions, GDL Rural