Where averages, clearance rates sit after the first big month of bull sales

Two key trends are emerging as the numbers are crunched on the first big month of the bull selling season in Queensland.

The good season and cattle market is encouraging commercial producers to pay up for terminal crosses to get more weight in calves and European breeds, particularly Charolais, are reaping the benefits of that.

Secondly, the money is there for quality, but there is an argument that it would be a better option for bulls that are 'only just' to be directed to what is a very strong, heavy steer market at the moment.

Analysis of a sample of the same 33 bull sales across 14 breeds covered by Queensland Country Life journalists this August and last August shows clearance rates are down year-on-year, but averages are up.

This year's average clearance rate for that sample was 87.53 per cent, compared to last year's 91.28pc.

This year's average price was $10,329, compared to last year's $9788.

Big outliers in terms of average prices, such as Marble High Wagyu's sale and 4 Ways Charolais, are not part of this analysis.

There have also been anecdotal reports that the selling of no bid bulls 'out the back' has been much harder this year.

Experienced stud stock agents are predicting that by the end of the 2025 bull selling clearance rates will be on par with last year and averages in most breeds will be up, possibly by as much as $2000.

They say what is really standing out is that big money is there for the top-end bulls.

"The demand is definitely there for the right article," southern stud stock manager at GDL, Mark Duthie, said.

"One of the big positives of this year's bull season is people are prepared to pay for what they want. They're doing their homework and turning up prepared to pay for it.

"They have enough money in their pockets from what their own articles are making this year and they are looking to go to the next level on the genetics in their herd.

"Where they used to be willing to go $7000 to $12,000 for that top level bull, the commercial producer will now go to $20,000 to ensure they secure what they need."

Anthony Ball, Elders stud stock, said his take was that for a quarter of the way through the season, bull selling across Queensland was going pretty well.

"The only two things that really give people confidence in this job are rain and cattle prices, and both are with us at the moment," he said.

"Interest rates are starting to come down a bit, too, which is helping to boost confidence.

"There is no question commercial cattlemen are prepared to spend more on what they deem a better bull."

Mr Ball said the chase for heterosis was increasingly driving demand for bulls for crossbreeding purposes.

"It's the only free lunch you'll get in this game," he said.

Mr Duthie believed the willingness to go to terminal sires for more weight via crossbreeding was spurring the Euro demand in particular.

Indeed, one of the hottest sales so far has been 4 Ways Charolais at Emerald, where 36 bulls sold to a total clearance for an average $21,333 and a top of $80,000.

Shepherdson and Boyd's Jack Fogg said one thing affecting competition and clearance rates was the degree to which big commercial operators bought up last year.

Reports were a number of big operators had far smaller needs this year, which was just a part of typical cyclic buying, he said.

"I know some who needed 10 bulls last year but this year are really only in the market for one or two," Mr Fogg said.