Commercial producers get top-price bull at 2026 Seifert Belmont Reds sale

Commercial producers have bought the top-price bull at the 2026 Seifert Belmont Reds sale, where growth was one of the winning traits and the average was up on 2025.

Producers from local areas, through central and North Queensland, across to the Northern Territory and Western Australia joined the on-property sale at Jandowae in person and online on Monday, August 17.

Repeat buyers were active throughout the day, helping Seifert Belmont Reds principals Jeanne Seifert and Ian Stark achieve a 100 per cent clearance on 66 bulls, a gross of $725,000 and an average of $10,985.

By comparison, the 2025 sale saw a 100pc clearance on 83 bulls, an average of $10,313 and a top of $23,000.

It was a case of Déjà vu for Rick and Barbara Bowman of Marlborough, who bought the top-price bull for the second year running.

Seifert Belmont Reds SEI250453 sold to the Bowmans for $24,000, and was one of three bulls in the draft that fetched $20,000 or more.

He was 22 months old and weighed 775 kilograms, with an eye muscle area of 130 square centimetres, intramuscular fat of 4.8pc, and P8 and rib fat measurements of 7 and 5 millimetres.

Mr Bowman said SEI250453 was a brilliant type, and his weight for age stood out.

"We've been coming down to Ian and Jeanne's sale for 10 or 12 years, and the line today was very good, very even," he said.

"(The top bull) will go over cows up at Marlborough.

"Next year we might put him with the better females to breed bulls for our operation.

"His calves - like most of our calves - will go to backgrounding properties on the Downs as weaners, then on to (the) Dalby (saleyards) at about 400 to 420kg and 18 months old."

Ms Seifert said growth had more been a focus for her family's breeding program in recent years, alongside their continuing work on fertility.

"(The top bull's) sire line goes back to Seifert Belmont Reds Princeton, who was a growthy bull," Ms Seifert said.

"His dam (Seifert Belmonts 170144) is pretty typical of our mature cow herd; she has had seven calves in a row and is pregnant with her eighth.

"We know how valuable that breeding longevity is for our clients."

Sale bulls went to Western Australia, across the top to North Queensland, and into central and southern Queensland, Nutrien agent Colby Ede said.

"It's the performance data behind the Seifert Belmont Reds and their adaptability to conditions in northern Australia that appeals to buyers, and today was no different," he said.

"There was strong support from repeat buyers today."

The Kidd family, represented by Elders Townsville, bought the largest number of lots, with 21 for an average price $4400.

The sale result rewarded the phenotype and data behind Ms Seifert and Mr Stark's operation, Elders agent Michael Smith said.

"In terms of buyer behaviour, what we saw today was similar to plenty of sales in spring 2025 and 2026," Mr Smith said.

"Many buyers are budget-conscious, but there is a premium there if people like what they see, and people are prepared to pay more for a highly sought-after article.

"There was good interest in the females on offer today too."

All 25 females in the catalogue sold for an average of $4620.

Andrea Patch, Bell, bought Seifert Belmont Reds SEI240664 for the top price of $7500.

She was two years and 10 months old, homozygous polled, and due to calf in mid-November.

• Agents: Elders and Nutrien, interfaced with AuctionsPlus.