Strong commercial support pushes Bullamakinka Santa sale to near full clearance

Repeat commercial clients underpinned a near full clearance at the third annual Bullamakinka Santa Gertrudis bull sale in Longreach on Wednesday, September 3, with bulls selling into three states and territories.

Selling to a top of $40,000 twice, returning clients made their presence and demand known early on, with the first 10 bulls through the ring selling for an average of $19,300.

Bulls sold throughout Queensland as well as into New South Wales, and the Northern Territory.

Of the 76 bulls offered by Bullamakinka stud principal Craig Hindle from Pittsworth, 75 were sold for a clearance rate of 98 per cent and an average of $12,986, up on 2024's average of $12,786.

Last year's sale had a 100 pc clearance, with 70 offered, and a top price of $34,000.

Held at the Western Queensland Livestock Exchange, it was loyal clients Darryl and Carmel Waugh of Brentwood Santas, Goovigen, who paid the top price in 2025 of $40,000 for two bulls, lot two and lot 16.

The Waughs fended off determined competition from John Brown and Anna Counsell, claiming both bulls in what was one of the sale's most anticipated bidding duels.

Bullamakinka V172 was the first to make $40,000.

A polled son of Bullamakinka Queenslander Q80, the 21-month-old weighed 874 kilograms, had an eye muscle area of 141 square centimetres, and measured 39.5cm for scrotal circumference.

The sire prospect boasted intramuscular fat of 5.7 pc, rib and P8 fat of 14mm and 12mm, respectively, and recorded an average daily gain of 1.29 kg.

They later paid the same money for Bullamakinka V68.

Sired by Waco Nelson N384, the polled bull tipped the scales at 806kg and had a scrotal measurement of 37cm.

At 19 months of age, he had an EMA of 133 sq cm, IMF of 5.4pc, and rib and P8 fat depths of 14mm and 12mm, respectively.

Speaking to Queensland Country Life, Mr Waugh said they were pleased with their purchases.

"Lot two was one of those bulls you just had to buy. I was hoping I'd get lot 16 a bit cheaper, but that didn't happen," Mr Waugh said.

"Lot 16 is just the complete animal with breed character. He's got plenty of size, he's not extreme, but he's way above average."

The two bulls purchased were totally unrelated, aligning perfectly with the Waugh's breeding objectives.

"We've run purebred Santas all our lives, basically," he said.

"We're now focusing on breeding red cattle that are EU and MSA compliant. We don't want to keep bulls, we want to turn off attractive, polled steers with early fat cover and good carcases."

Mr Waugh was particularly impressed with the bone structure and breed type of the lot 16 bull.

"He's got beautiful bone and that ability to lay down fat early," he said.

"The two bulls we bought today will go over 25 heifers and share time with our polled cow herd."

The Waughs have been long-time supporters of the Bullamakinka stud, from which the bulls were purchased.

"These would be the 15th bulls we've bought from Craig in the past 10 years," he said.

A homozygous polled bull sired by Waco Napoleon N80 attracted the second-top price of $34,000.

Purchased by ALC, Bullamakinka V112 weighed 842kg, had an EMA of 136sq cm, scrotal circumference of 40.5cm, and IMF of 5.5pc.

Northern Territory buyer Bill Scott of Macdonald Downs emerged as the top volume buyer, securing nine stud bulls at an average price of $9444.

Last year, he purchased 15 bulls at the sale.

Other major buyers included Rosehearty Grazing, Koonong Downs, Muckadilla, and Mackunda Downs, Middleton, each purchasing seven bulls at average prices of $11,571 and $11,142, respectively.

Willsdown Pastoral Pty Ltd, Windosor Park, Boulia, followed with five bulls, averaging $10,800, while ALC Rural also took home five bulls, paying a premium average of $19,200.

Bullamakinka stud principal Craig Hindle said it was a great sale result.

"Most of our clients are out in this central and western Queensland country. This is our third year selling at Longreach, and we get well supported by our current and new clients, as well as those who are coming to the sale, which is pleasing to see," he said.

Mr Hindle attributed positivity in both the cattle market and season to the lift in bull prices on the day.

"The cattle market has probably lifted the bull prices a little bit," he said.

"Cattle prices are up from last year, and the season out here is pretty good as well, so people have got a bit more confidence in buying their bulls early in the season.

"The Santa Gertrudis is a very popular breed, especially out here. This is probably one of the original homes of Santa out here."

• Agents: Simstock Rural Agencies, GDL, interfaced with StockLive