Mach Five progeny tops Telpara Hills with 62pc of buyers repeat clients

Buyers from across Queensland, NSW, and Victoria ventured to Tolga on Saturday, September 20, for the sixth annual Telpara Hills Ultrablacks and Brangus bull and female sale.

The sale was underpinned by strong support from repeat buyers, with livestock agents estimating around 63 per cent of the sales went to returning clients.

In total, 145 cattle passed through the ring for a 100 per cent clearance, grossing $1.8 million.

There was a full clearance of 104 bulls to average $13,634, while all 41 heifers averaged $11,316.

In comparison, the 2024 Telpara Hills sale saw 88 of 98 bulls sold to average $10,511, while 40 heifers averaged $14,600 with a top of $35,000.

The top-priced bull in 2025, Telpara Hills Millennium, sold to Turnbull Brothers Trading, Tambo, for $44,000, having spent up at the 2024 sale.

Millennium was a 24-month-old Brangus bull and weighed 902kg, with an eye muscle area of 134 square centimetres, a scrotal circumference of 42.5cm, and P8 and rib fat measurements of 17mm and 9mm.

He was by Mach Five and out of Miss Atlanta.

All up, 68 Brangus bulls averaged $13,235, with a top of $44,000, while the 36 Ultrablacks cleared at an average of $14,388.

The top Ultrablack bull was Telpara Hill Scientist, who sold for $24,000 to Forrester Grazing, Alpha.

The Brangus heifer section saw 29 head sold to an average of $12,034 and a top of $22,000, while 12 Ultrablack females averaged $9583, topping at $14,000.

Brad Johnstone, Twin Lakes, Port Curtis, secured the top-priced Brangus heifer, Ms Mach Five, for $22,000.

The 20-month-old was by Mach Five and out of Miss Foundation.

Ms Mach Five weighed 582kg, with an EMA of 82 sq cm, IMF of 6.7pc, and P8 and rib fat measurements of 13mm and 8mm.

Thetop-priced Ultrablackheifer, Ms Benchmark, was bought by Caloona Livestock, Tamworth, NSW.

The 22-month-old was by Mill Brae Benchmark and out of Ms Ace of Spades.

Vendor Stephen Pearce said the Mach Five progeny were a highlight of the sale and sold "extremely well".

Both of the top-priced animals were sired by Mach Five, who sold for $150,000 in 2022.

The Pearce family had high hopes for Millennium, collecting their own semen from him before the sale.

"We had so much time for the bull...he was just full of balance, not extreme in any way, just really correct, great underline, deep and balanced, beautiful, great head," Mr Pearce said.

He said Ms Mach Five had been one of his picks throughout, and he described her as a "gorgeous, feminine, beautifully balanced female" since she was a weaner heifer.

"She was spot on...not extreme in any way, but just had that real Brangus outlook about her too. She's always been special," he said.

Mr Pearce said a highlight from the sale was the number of repeat buyers who bid on both the bulls and the heifers, on the back of progeny success and "gaining real premiums".

Bulk buyers included Allandale Pastoral, Charters Towers, who bought nine lots for an average of $12,333; McClymont Pastoral, Hughenden, who bought eight lots for an average of $13,125; Sharmarel, St George, who purchased six lots for an average $13,000; and Welcome Downs Cattle Co, Einasleigh, who bought three lots for an average $23,333.

Elders studstock agent Anthony Ball said commercial cattlemen had journeyed from Maranoa, across North Queensland, NSW, and from the south east corner.

"That's just a testament to the cattle that they've got such a spread," he said.

"They're going out to big herds and different environments, and they're doing a really good job. The 63pc repeat clients coming back says these cattle are doing it.

"We're seeing progeny top sales at Roma, top Charters Towers, top Dalby, and top Rockhampton, and I think that's a credit to the program, and that's not an easy thing to do...they're coming year after year for good cattle."

• Agents: Elders