Charolais in demand: Barambah-Dale hits $1.1 million gross near Dalby
The Davis family of Barambah-Dale Charolais saw a significant lift in the top price and average at their 2026 bull sale near Dalby on Thursday, August 20.
The three grandstands were overflowing with buyers and resulting in a full clearance of the 81 bulls, an average of $13,790 and a top of $29,000.
That was up on 2025 when prices peaked at $22,000 and 69 bulls averaged $14,115.
The result also maintained the Davis family's perfect record of a full clearance since they began on-property sales.
The top-price bull this year, Barambah-Dale Vito, once again sold to the Price family, Moongool Charolais, Yuleba.
Barambah-Dale Vito was 22 months, horned, weighed 942 kilograms, had P8 and rib fat scans of 13 and 10 millimetres, an eye muscle area of 148 square centimetres, intramuscular fat of 5.4pc, a scrotal circumference of 45 centimetres, a semen motility of 70pc, and morphology of 72pc.
Barambah-Dale Charolais stud principal Wayne Davis said the bull's softness was likely what drew such competitive bidding from buyers.
"He's obviously a stud sire - he's a beautifully fleshed bull, he has good figures and is easy doing," he said.
"He's just got that extra eye appeal, and you can't fault him in the temperament."
Barambah-Dale Vito was out of homebred cow, Marcia, while his sire, ANC Medal, is the stud's longest-running sire, and fathered the top-price bull the Price family bought in 2025.
"Those Medal bulls have done a terrific job for our stud, and [Barambah-Dale Vito] has the extra softness, [which is] probably what they picked out," Mr Davis said.
Mr Davis said there was strong buying demand from Roma, the Brisbane Valley, and Casino, NSW.
"A lot of our clients have sold a lot of cows because of the weather, but the weaner market has been very strong, so that probably contributed a little to the Charolais being in demand," Mr Davis said.
"Weaners have been making top dollar, so there's obviously people who want to keep on breeding that type of cattle."
Mr Davis offered 12 bulls fed on oats, which sold for an average of $8833, and when excluded brought the sale average up to $14,652.
Whitton Cattle Company, operated by Rick Whitton and based at Myrtleville in Injune, bought the largest number of lots on the day, with seven head for an average of $11,142.
Sheperdson & Boyd agent Jack Fogg said the Davis family's consistency was what set them apart.
"I think the consistency of their draft of bulls was what really sold them today - they're good bulls, right through the catalogue," Mr Fogg said.
"Charolais cattle are in high demand... [and] I think the Davis family are certainly right up there amongst the top of the Charolais averages.
"They've been breeding for a long time, and the genetics are really paying off now."
- Agents: Shepherdson & Boyd, TopX, and KellCo Rural.
