Next generation of Brahman royalty steps up at 2026 Gympie female sale
The next generation of a family renowned for quality genetics, with an Australian Brahman Breeders Association life membership to their name, has stepped into the spotlight at the 2026 Gympie Brahman female sale.
The Sommerfeld family brought about 30 sale prospects down to the sale's 51st edition, and came away with the top price for both greys and reds.
About 200 people filled the stands at the Gympie saleyards on Saturday, June 6, including bidders from northern NSW, local areas around Queensland's south east, and further north.
Central Queensland buyers had a major influence on the sale result, the day after they helped commercial Brahman females reach $4100 at Woolooga, while more than 100 online bidders followed the action.
Fierce bidding started early at Gympie, with the first Brahrock females selling from lots two and three for $27,000 and $12,000.
And it continued throughout the sale, with 76 of 79 females selling through the ring for a 96 per cent clearance, $7289 average and gross of $554,000.
See who caught up at the 2026 Gympie Brahman female sale
See who caught up at the 2026 Gympie Brahman female sale. Pictures by Zac Braxton-Smith
By comparison, 76 of 96 females sold in 2025 for an 80 per cent clearance, $7256 average and $551,500 gross.
Neville and Shannon Sommerfeld of Brahrock N, near Maryborough, sold Brahrock N Star Empress to the Valmadre family of Cedar Bend Brahmans, Jambin, for the top price of $40,000.
The polled, grey, 22-month-old was sired by Brahrock Sir Roostar and out of Brahrock Miss El Empress.
Ms Sommerfeld said her family saw something in Star Empress as a calf, and she had since grown into a good all-rounder.
"Her sire has been putting meat on his progeny; he has been breeding for a few years, and his females are now having calves," she said.
"Star Empress goes back to the Elmo lines on her dam's side; that's where she gets her size and quiet temperament."
Her structure and shape stood out, according to Reg Valmadre, who bought three heifers from the Sommerfeld family for an average price of $26,000.
"We got a few eggs out of the female we bought from Shannon (Sommerfeld) last year," Mr Valmadre said.
"We're not sure which bulls we'll put over them yet, but we'll likely AI the heifers we bought today."
Hayden Sommerfeld sold the top-price red female, Brahrock HJ Lady Jasmine, to the Dunn family of Somerton Brahmans, St Lawrence, for $20,000.
She was polled, 20 months old, by Tarramba Topshelf and out of Brahrock HJ Miss Ruby.
Nutrien auctioneer Dane Pearce, who sold the top-price female, congratulated all vendors on the quality of their genetics.
"Following on from the commercial sale yesterday in Woolooga, the Brahmans have had a really successful result over the two days," Mr Pearce said.
"Once again, central Queensland (buyers) shone through."
Polled females also stood out, achieving an average price through the ring of $8400, compared to $4800 for horned females.
In a full breakdown of the sale result, 54 of 57 grey Brahmans sold for a 95pc clearance and an average of $7407.
A total of 22 red Brahmans sold for a 100pc clearance and an average of $7000.
The Cochrane family, based at Kandanga, bought the largest number of lots through the ring, with eight head for an average of $3688.
Vendor averages
For prefixes that sold two or more head through the ring.
Bar Boot - sold three of three offered for an average of $7800.
Barambah - 2/2, average: $4500
Blue Blood - 3/4, average: $3700
Brahrock - 15/16, average: $8800
Brahrock HJ - 2/2, average: $19,000
Brahrock MT - 3/3, average: $3300
Brahrock N - 5/5, average: $11,600
Chriswil - 2/2, average: $3500
Clukan - 2/2, average: $8000
Clukan T - 2/2, average: $14,500
Eastern Park - 3/3, average: $3700
Gigoomgan - 3/3, average: $6000
Jacana - 3/3, average: $3200
Little Creek - 2/3, average $3000
Locklani - 2/2, average $3300
Mogul - 3/3, average $7300
Muan - 2/2, average $5500
NK - 4/4, average $5500
Rockstar - 4/4, average $9000
Rocky Hill - 2/2, average $3800
Ruby Park - 3/3, average $6800
Runa - 3/3, average $7500.
