Average prices at Wilangi Invitation sale lift by $2958 in Charters Towers

Improved market conditions, timely rainfall and a strong lineup of sires underpinned solid results at the Wilangi Invitation Sale held today, November 28.

All but three of the 141 grey Brahman bulls were sold, delivering a 98 per cent clearance rate and a $9797 average.

This represented a rise of $2958 per head on last year's result.

The biggest change was the top price lifting by $32,000.

Across the catalogue, 41 premier select sires averaged $14,292 to gross $585,972, and topping at $70,000.

A further 79 registered Brahman bulls averaged $8784 with a top of $36,000, while 19 herd bulls averaged $4315 and reached a top of $8000.

At $70,000 the sale topper was the homozygous polled 26-month-old, Wallace Mr Xaviat 244/24.

He was bred and offered by Stewart and Kerry Wallace, Wallace Cattle Co, Marlborough, who sold the sire for a three-quarter share and full possession, with semen collected for in-herd use.

The 830 kilogram son of Brahrock N Busta 152 posted an eye muscle area of 146 square centimetres, and rib and rump fat measurements of 13 and 10 millimetres respectively.

The winning bidder was Scott Angel of Glengarry Stud, Kunwarara, who said the bull's homozygous polled status was the key drawcard.

"Everybody's going down the polled track," Mr Angel said.

"I liked his temperament, thickness and ideal eye muscle for his age. I'd seen him in the Wallaces' advertisement and looked him over again during a visit to Nebo.

"Coming into the sale, I expected he'd make anywhere between $50,000 and $100,000."

Mr Angel confirmed the bull will return temporarily to Wallace Cattle Co before joining his Glengarry herd.

He plans to use the new sire over heifers and empty cows and may collect and market semen at a later stage.

For breeders Stewart and Kerry Wallace, the sale was both rewarding and difficult.

"It was a really strong sale with great support from some really great herds," Mrs Wallace said.

"It was really hard to sell (Wallace Mr Xaviat). We've been trying to find a PP bull ourselves this year and that's been a real challenge, knowing we had him in the yard at home."

Mrs Wallace said the influence of Brahrock Busta, the sire of Mr Xaviat, had been consistent across their herd, with the first daughters now entering production.

She also credited seasonal conditions for strengthening demand.

"The early start to the season helped lift prices. Everyone's cashed in and cleaned out their paddocks, and that's contributed to a freshen up for their sires," she said.

With homozygous polled genetics still in great demand, Mrs Wallace said she was proud to see the bull go into a strong program.

The Wallaces will retain semen for their own future artificial insemination work.

"The PP is really hard to find and to get that animal that's complete. We'll keep semen for our own use because we struggled to sell him, knowing how valuable he is."

Next best at $62,500 was Cambil Inkerman 8142.

Offered by Lawson Camm, Cambil Brahmans, Proserpine, the 25-month-old 788kg son of Nicneil Sugar Daddy scanned an EMA of 137sq cm, and rib and rump fat measurements of 8 and 8mm respectively.

Securing the rights to the bull were Alastair and Pam Davison, Viva Brahmans, Middlemount.

The polled scurred sire recorded in the top 1pc for breed in all carcase EBVs.

At $42,500, Viva Arlington 2780 was sold to Steve and Theresa Taylor, Clukan Brahmans, Jambin.

Offered by the Viva Brahmans, the 25-month-old son of Annavale Darrocca 1062 weighed 807kg with an EMA measurement of 141sq cm, and rib and rump fat measurements of 13 and 10mm.

Viva Brahmans also sold Viva Denver 2791 for $36,000 to Ibis Creek Pastoral, Mt Coolon.

Sired by Annavale Darrocca 1062 the 25-month-old bull weighed 801 kg and scanned an EMA of 138sq cm, and rib and rump fat measurements of 12 and 7mm respectively.

Paul and Sally Fry, Strathmore Station, Collinsville, made their presence felt during the sale, taking 11 bulls for on average $12,727, topping at $28,000 for Viva Floyd 2998.

Colin Fink, Adelaide River, Northern Territory, secured 10 bulls for an average $4800.

Matt McClymont, Mount Surprise Pastoral, Mount Surprise, secured nine bulls for an average $5555.

Jack Mann, Lochwall Station, Charters Towers, purchased nine bulls for an average $4666.

Rosella Plans Station, Mount Garnet, bought nine bulls for an average $5555.

Dudley Anning and Maran Jalak, Pretty Plains, Hughenden, purchased nine bulls for an average $4000.

Bush Holdings, Maytoe Station, Alpha, secured five sires for on average $16,400, topping at $27,000 for Wallace Mr Xebec 306/24.

Queensland Rural's Troy Trevor said a combination of market momentum, seasonal breaks and strong genetics underpinned the lift in demand.

"There was certainly a lift in demand compared to this time last year," Mr Trevor said.

"A couple of things factored into that. The cattle market has picked up over the last six or eight months and kept moving forward, and we had a really good line-up of bulls this year, probably as good as the Wilangi Invitational has had for a number of years."

He said the renewed strength in sire competition was noticeable after several quieter years.

"We haven't had that calibre of sire competition for a few years, so that was encouraging to see," he said.

"There are also storms around, we had 40mm of rain overnight. Rain brings confidence, and that definitely played a part in today's result."

Mr Trevor said recent market performance in the region had also contributed to buyer confidence.

"The Charters Towers market has been strong. It's levelled out a bit in the last fortnight, but before that, for a month or six weeks, it was improving 10 to 15 cents every week," he said.

He said live export demand continued to provide crucial support for Brahman producers.

"There's good numbers of feeder cattle going to Indonesia at the moment out of the Northern Territory and Queensland, and that's been helping," he said.

"When it comes back to Brahman cattle and Brahman bull sales, the live export market has been going quite well.

"It's kept up with the market to fill the ships, and it's put a positive spin on the Brahman breed, that's for sure."

Vendor averages

(For bulls sold under the hammer)

Wilangi: 33/34 sold, average $5515

Cambil: 24/25 sold, average $9220

Lanes Creek: 14/15 sold, average $7933

Viva: 23/23 sold, average $12,630

Raglan: 20/20 sold, average $10,800

Wallace: 25/25 sold, average $13,200

• Selling agents: Queensland Rural, interfaced on StockLive.