BJF Limousin goes out with a bang in high-grossing female dispersal sale

The Frohloff family has closed a chapter in the history of Queensland Limousin genetics on a high note, with an impressive average in their female dispersal sale.

About 200 people packed the stands at BJF Limousin in Yarraman on Saturday, February 7, including bidders from local areas, west to Dulacca, and a strong contingent from northern NSW.

Online bidders joined from across the east coast, as far south as Tasmania.

There was a sense of anticipation around the ring as the first of 102 lots was ushered in, including cow lines that had featured in the stud for more than 20 years.

Fierce bidding saw the first three lots - black cow and calf pairs - go for $7500, $11,000 and $8500.

And it continued throughout the sale, pushing the price for five lots above $10,000.

By the end of in-person bidding, 98 of 99 female lots had sold for a 99 per cent clearance, an average of $6076 and a gross, including three bulls, of $618,500.

John, John Jr, and Miles Devlin of Alsace Limousins at Inverell, NSW, bought BJF Derby Tearz and her heifer calf for the top price of $14,500.

She was a polled black Limousin, pregnancy tested in calf, and in the top 10 per cent or less for estimated breeding values on eye muscle area, milk, and 400-day weight.

Mr Devlin, buying for his family's show steer operation from the Frohloffs for the first time, said the apricot heifer calf by TDL Total Rush was a big drawcard.

"We like long, deep females, good doers, and they have to be able to rear a good calf," Mr Devlin said.

"And just look at the depth of flank in her calf.

"She will go in with the breeders; the plan is to grow her out and join her."

BJF Derby Tearz was by Canadian sire RPY Paynes Derby and out of Fernvale Limousins cow Oakwood Black Tearz.

She was a lovely, good-milking cow with beautiful balance and a good head, according to BJF principal Bradley Frohloff.

"And she went with a beautiful, soft, fleshy, stylish heifer calf," Mr Frohloff said.

It was a poignant day for the Frohloff family, who planned to sell their last crop of bulls later in 2026.

Mr Frohloff said he was particularly grateful to his wife Jodie, his children, and Downfall Limousins principals Peter and Pauline Grant, for their support over the years.

See who caught up at the BJF Limousin female dispersal sale

Pictures by Zac Braxton-Smith

"Only the best went for sale today, and we have kept about 20 stud cows for our commercial herd," he said.

"We need more cows now.

"The plan is to add another 120 breeders, so we can turn off about 200 head a year for the butcher shop."

The Family Mission partnership, between the McCowen and O'Laughlin families near Tenterfield, NSW, bought the largest number of lots through the ring, with seven females for a $6429 average.

Family Mission principal Hugh McCowen, a repeat buyer, said the BJF Limousins' temperament was one of the main factors that brought them back to Yarraman.

"We were looking for moderate-frame females today that will perform well on rougher country," Mr McCowen said.

"We have a commercial cattle operation, but we are interested in exploring the benefits of the Limousin breed."

Elders agent Mitch Jackson said the sale timing made a difference, but that took nothing away from the quality of the cattle on offer.

"There was plenty of interest from people who show cattle, particularly in the cows with bigger calves," Mr Jackson said.

"Stud and commercial buyers were active too.

"But, it must be said, the result came down to good genetics offered by people who know good cattle."

Three of three bulls sold through the ring for an average of $7666.

Online bidding on steers and genetics packages was yet to close at the end of in-person bidding.

• Agents: Elders, Batholomew & Co, and AuctionsPlus.