Grey heifer outprices the reds at this year's Big Country Brahman Sale

The demand for red bulls on day one of the Big Country Brahman Sale flowed through to the heifer section.

All 80 stud heifers offered on the day sold to gross $433,000 and average $5413 at the Dalrymple Saleyards, Charters Towers, on Monday, February 2.

For the 2025 sale, 92 heifers were offered and 77 sold for an 84 per cent clearance rate, an average of $4591 per head, and a gross of $353,500, while bidding reached a peak of $20,000 twice.

A total of 52 grey Brahman stud heifers grossed $260,500 to average $5010, while 28 red Brahman stud heifers grossed $172,500 to average $6161.

Brent Williams, Nutrien Ag Solutions, made the winning bid on a grey heifer, in lot 226, Hamdenvale Angelina 1963/87, which topped the section at $22,000. Mr Williams bought her on behalf of the Kirk family, Hazelton Brahmans, Middlemount.

Hamdenvale studs' Jarrod Deguara said the unjoined 19-month-old by the homozygous polled LMC Polled Godfather 187/0, out of Hamdenvale Massai Miss 1721, was selected for Big Country due to her being a "good, soft heifer, with easy doing ability".

"She has a great nature, topline, underline, and a feminine head," he said.

"Hazelton have been great supporters of ours, having purchased the top priced heifer at the four sales Hamdenvale held. We're glad she's going to a great home."

Hamdenvale had a top day all-round, selling their three heifers to top the section average at $10,667.

Top price red heifer honours went to lot 179 Timbrel Miss Annie 1154 offered by Terry Connor, Timbrel Brahmans, Nine Mile. She was purchased by David Coleman, Koolyn Brahmans, Charters Towers for $15,000.

Mr Coleman said it was the "bloodlines, style, and Timbrel's proven track record of breeding success", that led to him bidding up on Miss Annie 1154.

"It's the first heifer I've bought from Terry. Her being pregnancy-tested-in-calf to Rockley Safia sealed the deal," he said.

Continuing a trend in the red bull section, the 24-month-old Miss Annie 1154 was a daughter of Y3K Brahman stud sire, Sir Gregor 0006. All six Timbrel heifers sold to average $6083.

The volume vendor in the heifer section was the Hughes family, Lanes Creek Brahmans, Georgetown. They sold all 27 of their greys to average $5000.

Other vendors who fared particularly well were Peter Tuxworth, Halgenaes Brahmans, Oxley, who sold his two heifers at an average of $8500, while Gavin Webber and Callan Solari, Triple E Brahmans, Prairie, who sold their six heifers to average $7416.

The volume buyer for the section was Peter Colls, Rita Island off Ayr, who purchased 18 heifers at an average of $3500.

Overall for day one of the 2026 Big Country Brahman Sale, 160 red bulls and red and grey heifers sold to gross $1,552,500.

The action will continue on Tuesday, February 3, from 9am, with the grey bull contingent to have their time in the ring.

• Selling agents Queensland Rural and Stocklive