October stud bull sale averages up 16pc, $2.6m higher gross on 2024
Bull buyers opened their wallets in October, lifting stud sale averages by 16 per cent and the gross to more than $19 million, led by Brangus, Brahman and Santa sales.
A sample of bull sales covered by Queensland Country Life journalists in October 2025 was analysed and compared with the same month in 2024.
Overall, 1562 bulls sold from 1746 offered for a gross of $19,008,429, compared with 1572 sold from 1767 offered for a gross of $16,433,741 in October 2024.
Despite fewer bulls than a year ago, the stronger averages across almost every breed translated into an additional $2.57 million in turnover.
While numbers were marginally lower, down 1.2pc offered and 0.6 pc sold, the total gross climbed 15.7 pc, and the average price increased from $10,456 to $12,166, a rise of $1710 or 16.3 pc on the previous year.
Brangus, Brahman, and Santa sales lead high averages
The Rockhampton Brangus Society stud bull sale led the month with an average of $17,125, up $3709 (27.6pc) on last year's $13,416.
The sale grossed $3,014,000 for 176 bulls sold from 197 offered.
Speaking to Queensland Country Life, Brangus Australia CEO Nath O'Sullivan said the strong support from both commercial and seedstock buyers resulted in a "fantastic sale for the vendors and the Brangus breed".
"The clear message from the 2025 bull selling season is that buyers, both commercial and seedstock, are prepared to pay for quality," Mr O'Sullivan said.
"There certainly has been a trend across the 2025 sales of stronger averages but also stronger clearances compared to the year prior, which is likely reflective of the strong commercial market we have been experiencing and the generally positive seasonal conditions across large parts of Queensland.
"Reflecting on the 2025 Rockhampton Brangus Sale, it is fair to say that the quality of bulls on offer was improved in comparison to the 2024 offering, albeit on a slightly smaller catalogue."
The Carinya Garglen Brahman Sale averaged $16,827 for 84 bulls, grossing $1,413,468, down $1374 or 7.6pc, but still among the top three by average.
At the Lancefield Brahmans Invitation Sale, averages surged from $11,635 in 2024 to $15,486 this year, a $3851 or 33.1 pc lift, with a full clearance of 71 bulls grossing $1,099,506.
The Strathmore Santa Gertrudis Bull Sale also advanced, climbing from $11,509 to $14,071 in 2025, up $2562 or 22.3pc, with all 113 bulls sold for $1,590,023.
The Rockhampton Brahman Week Sale again dominated by volume, with 759 offered, 712 sold, and a gross of $8,216,480.
The average of $11,540 represented a $1479 (14.7pc) increase on last year's $10,061, showing continued strength in Brahman demand.
The Roma Droughtmaster Bull Sale saw its average rise from $9811 to $10,831, a $1020 (10.4pc) increase, selling 74 of 108 bulls for $801,494 gross.
Similarly, the Triple B Annual Production Sale improved from $10,016 to $10,563, a $547 (5.5pc) gain, grossing $749,973 from 71 bulls.
The BullZeye Droughtmaster Bull Sale increased its average by $1970 (27.4pc), from $7200 to $9170, with 47 sold for $430,990.
The CQ Invitational Droughtmaster Sale rose from $7810 to $8942, up $1132 (14.5pc), grossing $304,028 from 34 bulls.
The Great Northern Brahman Sale averaged $8099, up $1351 (20.0pc) on last year's $6748, selling 86 bulls for $696,514.
The Warren Point Poll Herefords lifted from $6630 to $8047, a $1417 (21.3pc) improvement, selling 42 bulls for $337,974.
The Carabar Angus Blackall Sale recorded the largest percentage gain of the month, jumping 37.5 pc from $5488 in 2024 to $7545 in 2025, an increase of $2057 per head, with 33 bulls selling for $248,985.
With most leading sales achieving double-digit price increases, last month's results reaffirm strong market sentiment and high-quality demand heading into the end of the spring selling season.
ACM Agri will be doing an overall national analysis of the top sales of 2025 at the end of the year.
