Parkers bulk up at 2025 Brahman Week with bold northern expansion plans

Christine and Dan Parker of Clare, Jericho, made their presence felt at the 2025 Rockhampton Brahman Week, securing 17 bulls across three days of bidding to fuel their expanding northern cattle operation.

The couple have been regular faces in the stands for years, but 2025 marked a shift from topping up their long-established herd at Clare to building the foundation of a new one.

In July, they purchased Burlington, a walk-in, walk-out property north of Charters Towers at Mount Surprise, stocked with more than 3200 breeders.

"We only took over in July," Ms Parker said.

"It was a mix of Brahmans and Droughtmasters, but we'll be pushing more towards Brahmans ourselves."

The new additions were bought with Burlington in mind, although some will remain at Clare until the first storms break.

"These bulls will go up there as a start," she said.

"Some will stay down with us until we get a bit of rain."

The Parkers said the decision to lean heavily on Brahmans was dictated by country and climate.

"It's undulating and very ticky up there," Ms Parker said.

"Brahmans just cope better. They're hardier and they fit that environment."

When it came to type, the family admitted a preference for horned bulls but stressed the focus was on balance, structure, and value.

"Probably prefer horned - they seem to have more structure and substance about them," she said.

"But we were really just looking for good cattle at the right price to put a solid base into the herd."

That focus on practicality has always guided their program at Clare, where the Parkers run a base Brahman herd and breed a line of young bulls.

"We breed quite a few young bulls ourselves," Ms Parker said.

"We also put Angus over the first-calf heifers, and we've got Shorthorns and others, but it's all basically a Brahman-based herd."

Managing two properties 830 kilometres apart is no small feat, but the family has already put systems in place.

Their youngest son and his partner are now based at Burlington, taking day-to-day responsibility for the new acquisition.

"It's an eight-hour drive, but we can be there in two and a half hours with the helicopter if needed," Ms Parker said.

The Parkers also have EU accreditation at Clare and are working to extend that to Burlington.

"At Clare, the weaners are EU and we grow them out before selling," Ms Parker said.

"We're hoping to get Burlington accredited too, so eventually we can target that EU grassland market."

Until then, feeders will remain the most likely outlet for the northern operation.

By the close of bidding, the Parkers had secured 17 bulls to average $6176, outlaying $105,000 in total.

Ms Parker laughed that while she looks over the catalogue and keeps an eye on EBVs, the final call rests with Dan.

"I just sit there and nod or shake my head," she said.

EBVs may not drive their decisions, but the Parkers do insist on certain standards.

"I look at scrotal size, I think that's quite important," she said.

"And I check semen percentages, but that depends on age as well. Dan will still buy a bull if he likes him, but I do try and enforce it if I can."

Ms Parker's brother-in-law, Damien Parker, also purchased at the sale, adding 11 bulls for his Eastmere herd near Clare for an average spend of $12,273.

"It's a bit of a family show," Ms Parker said.

"We love Brahman Week, and you never know what the next run of bulls will bring."

With their next stop already earmarked as the Great Northern Sale, the Parkers' buying campaign looks set to continue after the Rockhampton dust settles.