A red-hot day of selling for the first day of the Big Country Brahman sale

It was a sizzling day of selling at the Dalrymple Saleyards for day one of the 2026 Big Country Brahman Sale on Monday, February 2.

The red Brahman bull contingent got the day underway with all 80 lots offered selling for a complete clearance. These bulls averaged $14,043 to gross $1,123,500.

This compared favourably to the 2025 result, in which 97 of the 118 reds offered were sold for an 82pc clearance, to average $10,005 for a gross of $970,500.

It was in lot 31 that Stockman Galactic 755 claimed the top price honours for the reds this year at $90,000. The 29-month-old two-tooth bull weighed in at 960kg, with P8 and rib fat measurements of 14mm and 12mm, respectively. He had an eye muscle area of 1139 square centimetres, IMF of 5.2pc, a scrotal circumference of 39cm and motility of 80pc.

This poll/scur bull was offered by Chris and Janine McCarthy, Stockman Red Brahmans, East Haldon, and secured by Brian and Cindy Hughes, Lanes Creek Brahmans, Georgetown, in partnership with the Dunn family, Somerton Red Brahmans, St Lawrence.

Mr McCarthy said the result set a new record for the stud at Big Country, where they had been offering bulls for five years.

He said the Y3K Galaxy 0013 son had been a standout from birth, which measured in the top 3pc of the breed in six growth measurements in his EBVs.

All seven Stockman bulls were cleared on the day at an average of $27,357.

"Positive seasonal and market conditions, along with the quality of the bulls offered led to a strong overall result," Mr McCarthy said.

The Dunn and Hughes families agreed that Galactic 755 was "a very correct bull with excellent breed character, that ticked all the boxes".

They said the plan, in the short term, will be for the bull to be at Somerton, while Lanes Creek utilises his semen.

Topping the vendor average in the reds were Matthew and Janelle McCamley, Lancefield M Brahmans, Eulogie. They sold all five of their bulls to average $40,700.

Consecutive lots in the Lancefield M draft reached $50,000, with lot 27 Lancefield M Yarra 8352M purchased by Barry and Tanya Christensen, Koon Kool Brahmans, Hughenden while the winning bid on lot 28 Lancefield M Yucatan 8351M was made by Brian and Glenda Kirkwood, Somerview Red Brahmans, Charters Towers.

Mr Kirkwood said he'd enjoyed much success with Lancefield bulls over the years, and described the 31-month-old Yucatan 8351M as a "very correct bull, which I can't fault".

"He'll blend in very well with our heifers and older cows," he said.

Mr McCamley described the Lancefield M result as "fantastic".

"The four bulls in our draft that sold for $45,000 or more were all sired by Y3K Billionaire. They all have poll genetics, carry excellent beef qualities and have outstanding temperaments," he said.

It was a banner Big Country for Y3K stud principals Steve and Sharon Turner, as Y3K sires, Billionaire 9002, Sir Gregor 0006, and Galaxy 0013 featured prominently in the top results. The 11 Y3K sons offered on the day grossed $334,500 for an outstanding average of $30,409.

Mr Turner described witnessing this outcome as a "proud moment".

The volume seller on the day was the Gibbs family, Muan Brahmans, who sold all 11 of their bulls at an average of $17,667, topping at $47,500.

The volume buyer for the reds section was the Gillham family, Suttor Creek, Glendan, who bought 11 bulls at an average of $7636.

Queensland Rural sale coordinator Shaun Flanagan said the reds result had been "very solid all the way through".

"Bulls sold into Cloncurry, Roma, Brisbane Valley, and the Northern Territory. This sale generates its own market due to the tremendous lineup offered," Mr Flanagan said.

• Selling agents Queensland Rural and Stocklive