Ayr Charolais sets stud record top and average at 2026 on-property sale

It was an exciting day for Ayr Charolais on Monday, September 14, with the stud achieving both a record average and top price at its 2026 on-property sale, held at Mungabunda, Moura.

Of the 104 bulls offered, all sold for a 100 per cent clearance, an $18,466 average, a top of $55,000, and a sale gross of $1,920,500.

This was a substantial improvement from the strong result achieved at last year's sale, where all 139, or 100pc, of bulls cleared for $13,223 average, a $32,000 top, and a $1,838,000 gross.

The top-priced bull, Ayr Ingham's Andre, sold to Dillion and Gavin Scott, Yacamunda investments, Yacamunda Station, Collinsville, who were bidding over the phone.

The 20-month-old, 936 kilogram bull, sired by Ayr Alex's Ingham and out of Ayr N.M's Angy, recorded 10mm of rump fat, 7mm of rib fat, an eye muscle area of 147 square centimetres, and 4.4pc of intramuscular fat.

Speaking to Queensland Country Life after the sale, Dillion Scott said he was chasing Ayr Ingham's Andre to use as a stud sire.

"We're based up at Yacamunda and Rosetta Stations on about 180,000 acres (72,843 hectares)," Mr Scott said.

"We're just running about 15,000 head of cows, just chasing the store market and breeding some crossbred steers."

In particular, Mr Scott said the bull stood out for his coat and figures.

"We're looking at him for a stud sire, and he's just a very stylish bull," he said.

"He's got good figures to back him, and a great skin type."

Also a top price buyer at the Casa Toro sale held in Roma on Friday, September 11, Mr Scott said he had been chasing a few bulls this selling season.

"We generally try and buy a few bulls every year," he said.

The volume buyer of the sale, Dean Armstrong, Comet Downs, purchased 20 bulls for an average of $36,800.

Mr Armstrong said he was chasing bulls to establish a breeder herd on his new property, Star Downs, at Alpha.

"We're based at Comet, and we've been buying these bulls for a number of years, and we know they do the job for us so we keep coming back," he said. "I've just stepped out and bought another place and we're going to have breeders, so I need bulls, and that's why we're here and have bought so many."

Between the two properties, Mr Armstrong said he ran 15,000 head and would join 4000 cows.

"The rest of the cattle, I buy and sell a lot of steers," he said.

"But now, with the new property, we're going to start breeding a lot more of our own.

"We're all crossbred. Crossbreeding is the easiest way to make money, because it's hybrid vigour.

"They use the same amount of feed to produce more kilos."

Speaking on the record sale result, Ayr stud principal David Cass said he was very happy.

"All the bulls were horn bulls, and I was very pleased to get that sort of result," he said.

"I think we've had bulls like this for many years, and all the stars aligned, and buyers turned up on the day and wanted them.

"It's very good for us."

Mr Cass said this year's sale attracted both new and return buyers, with bulls selling across Queensland and down into NSW.

"I didn't recognise some buyers, but there were a lot of return buyers, who've been away for a while and have come back again, so that was good to see," he said.

"We're very lucky that they tend to take two or three decks down to Casino, NSW, every year, so that was really good to have them come up so far and support us, and I wish them luck in the weaner sales."

• Selling agents: Elders and Nutrien, interfaced with AuctionsPlus.