Commercial producer gets top-priced bull at 2026 Limousin genetics bull sale
A commercial producer has paid the top price for the second year running at the 2026 Limousin Genetics bull sale, where southern buyers had a major influence on the result.
More than 100 people packed the stands at the Frohloff family's Yarraman property for their 10th annual multi-vendor sale on Friday, August 14, including repeat and new buyers from central Queensland, local areas and over the border.
Seedstock producers were active in early bidding: two of the first 10 bulls sold to the Meade family of Pelican Rise Limousins, Irrewarra, Vic, and the Ryan family of Meriden Limousins, Merriwa, NSW, for $20,000 each.
Competition between commercial producers increased as the sale went on, including from online bidders.
By the end of bidding, 43 of 48 bulls had sold through the ring for a 90 per cent clearance, a gross of $372,000 and an average price of $8651.
By comparison, 52 of 69 lots sold through the ring in 2025 for a 75.4 per cent clearance, a gross of $454,500, and an average of $8740.
See who caught up at the 2026 Limousin Genetics Bull Sale
Pictures by Zac Braxton-Smith
Alexander Downs principal Robert Gill of Merriwa, NSW, bought 21-month-old black Limousin BJF Aladin from the Frohloff family for the top price of $25,000.
He weighed 872 kilograms with an eye muscle area of 151 square centimetres, scrotal circumference of 39cm, intramuscular fat of 4.4pc, as well as P8 and rib fat measurements of 9 and 7 millimetres.
Mr Gill said the season was at a crossroads at home, and his family was looking to quit their older bulls.
"Our bull from last year's sale (O'Sullivan's Ulysses, who sold for $36,000) has produced his first calves in the last few weeks, and we're happy with the result," he said.
"Our cows will have a better chance of getting in calf with younger bulls if the season goes dry.
"BJF Aladin will go out with our females in October - same joining window as every year."
The top-price bull was in the top 1 or 2pc of the Limousin breed for 200, 400, 600-day and mature cow weights and scrotal size.
It was an emotional moment for the Frohloff family, with a large portion of their remaining stud bulls selling on Friday as part of a herd dispersal process.
BJF principal Bradley Frohloff said the top bull's dam, BJF Denver Donna, was from a cow line they had bought at the Timor Limousin Stud dispersal sale years earlier.
"She saved her best for last," Mr Frohloff said.
"Aladin's sire (Flemington Ready to Roll) is doing great things across Australia, and we have kept a few of his sons in our commercial herd.
"It's not quite the end of our stud operation, but we are slowing down and ramping up the commercial side."
Chris Usher and family of Baradine, NSW, bought the largest number of lots through the ring, with six bulls for an average of $7667.
Mr Usher said his family had destocked two years ago due to a lack of rainfall, and were looking to bring in new genetics.
"We've had the most rain we've had in a while recently, and the grass is up to our knees," he said.
"But we've had enough bad times to know we need to plan well in advance; we're trying to let our pastures recover, regenerate, and not push our country too hard.
"That means running 300 to 350 head on pastures that can run 1200 head in good times.
"We find the Limousins don't go backwards when drought hits, as well as having great yield and marbling."
Bartholomew & Co agent Garth Weatherall, who sold the top-price bull, said the sale's 10th anniversary gave him pause to reflect.
"About 12 years ago, I was standing at the Ekka, thoroughly enjoying the led steer competition, and decided to sit down beside Bradley Frohloff," Mr Weatherall said.
"He said 'What do you think of Limousins?' and away we went.
"The sale is always well-supported by buyers from local areas and south of the border, and the enquiry leading up to today was no different."
- Agents: Bartholomew & Co, Elders, interfaced on AuctionsPlus
Vendor averages
For studs that sold two or more bulls through the ring under one prefix:
BJF Limousins sold 20 of 21 lots for an average of $9000
Four Mile: 3/3, avg $6667
Lochinvar: 3/3, avg $10,667
O'Sullivans: 8/12, avg $8625
Storm King: 3/3, avg $7333
The Downfall: 6/6, avg $8167.
