Commercial buyers take home top-price bulls at the 2025 JAK Production sale

Commercial producers from western areas have bought the two top-price bulls at the 2025 JAK Production Sale, while a calf at foot sold for $2500.

A total of 17 bidders registered for the fourth annual sale held at the Bell showgrounds on an overcast, and at times rainy, Monday, September 1.

Local areas around the Darling Downs and Burnett were well represented among attendees, and bidders joined in person and online from as far as Roma, Baralaba, and Clermont.

At the end of the public auction, vendors had grossed $84,050 for a total of 20 bulls, steers, heifers, and calves.

Agents sold 12 bulls from 21 through the ring for a clearance of 57.1 per cent, and an average price of $6000.

Another four bulls were sold by private negotiation after the auction for an average of $5250.

By comparison, agents sold 15 of 24 bulls offered in 2024 for an average of $7866 and a top price of $15,000.

Fierce bidding on calves at foot was one of the highlights of the day, with all four lots offered selling for an average of $1675 and a top of $2500.

Three of seven steers offered sold for a clearance of 42.9pc, an average of $1367, and a top of $1450.

One of the five heifers offered sold for a clearance of 20pc, and a price of $1250.

Two bulls sold for the top price of $8000 in 2025: the McUtchen family's Jambili Umunga to the Peart family, Arcadia Valley; and the McDouall family's Kildare U3 to the Groat family, Roma.

Jambili Umunga was 24 months old and weighed 722 kilograms.

He had an eye muscle area of 121 square centimetres, scrotal circumference of 35 centimetres, intramuscular fat of 4.4 per cent, as well as P8 and rib fat measurements of five and four millimetres.

Jambili Belgian Blues and South Devons principal James McUtchen said the joint-top bull narrowly missed out on making the stud's Ekka show team in 2025.

"We are pleased with how Jambili Umunga performed today," Mr McUtchen said.

"He gets his thickness and quiet temperament from his sire, Jambili Nonu, who was our first ever South Devon bull.

"His superior milking ability and fertility came from his six-year-old dam, Jambili QT."

Peart Pastoral principal Rowan Peart said the four bulls he bought at the sale were his first South Devons.

"We have seen South Devons deliver a decent growth rate at [the other top buyer] Jack Groat's place, and thought they were worth trying," Mr Peart said.

"These bulls will be naturally joined to four-breed composite cows, with Chianina, Shorthorn, Afrikaner, and Sahiwal bloodlines.

"They will go into our breeder herd in late September, about a month before our other bulls, to help wear them in.

"Their progeny will likely be sold as feeder steers and finished heifers in the future."

Kildare U3 was 27 months old and weighed 822 kilograms.

He had an eye muscle area of 126 sq cm, scrotal circumference of 36 cm, intramuscular fat of 4 pc, as well as P8 and rib fat measurements of five and three mm.

Kildare South Devons principal Rick McDouall said his family's seedstock program targeted eating quality, fattening ability, and lower birth weights.

"We use almost all American genetics now: U3's bloodlines go back to the Jim Leachman bull, Montana Century," Mr McDouall said.

"U3 was a paddock-raised commercial bull by Kildare M189 and out of Kildare L173.

"He has been at the McUtchens' place since January.

"It is pleasing to see the commercial market recognise the kind of product our bulls can deliver for meat consumers."

Mr Groat said he liked Kildare U3's good growth, fat cover, and temperament.

"The bulls we bought today will go over Droughtmasters from the start of October onwards," Mr Groat said.

"We are likely to sell their progeny into the weaner market at Roma."

The Groat family were the bulk buyers, picking up six bulls for an average of $6333.

The McUtchen family sold a calf-at-foot for $2500 to Andrew Stumer of Provenance Show Steers at Kingaroy.

The top calf was four weeks old, out of a Shorthorn Cross cow and by a Belgian Blue sire that had done ten seasons for the Jambili stud, according to Mr McUtchen.

Mr Stumer said he was looking for thickness, depth, and show appeal.

"That calf was the complete package," Mr Stumer said.

"He will stay on his mother until the new year, then go to local shows around the Burnett, Downs, and Brisbane Valley, before we take him to the Ekka."

Aussie Land and Livestock agent Midge Thompson said it was encouraging to see new and repeat buyers recognise the good meat quality, fertility, and adaptability of the cattle on offer.

• Agents: Aussie Land and Livestock, StockLive.

Vendor averages - bulls:

Jambili Belgian Blues and South Devons: 3/5 average $6667

Kildare South Devons: 9/16 average $5778.