'Nothing to frown about': standout heifer hits $55k at Telpara Hills sale

The top-priced heifer outsold the top-priced bull on the day at Telpara Hills' seventh annual Brangus and Ultrablack bull and female sale on the Atherton Tablelands, which blew the vendors away.

Buyers came from across Queensland and New South Wales, with repeat buyers from last year's sale out in full swing.

In total, 141 cattle passed through the ring and 141 sold, for a 100 per cent clearance rate, grossing $2.2 million.

There were 103 bulls on offer, which averaged $15,893 and grossed $1.6 million. There were 38 heifers on offer, and they averaged $16,105 and grossed $612,000.

In comparison, at the 2025 Telpara Hills sale, 145 cattle passed through the ring for a 100pc clearance, grossing $1.8 million.

In 2025 there was a full clearance of 104 bulls to average $13,634, while all 41 heifers averaged $11,316.

The top-priced female this year was the first Brangus heifer through the ring, Telpara Hills Ms River Run 920U17, sired by River Run 20 and out of Telpara Hills Miss Foundation 920M19, selling for $55,000.

This was the second-highest priced paid for a Brangus heifer, with Telpara Hills already holding the record of $60,000.

The 36-month-old weighed 818 kilograms, had P8 and rib fat scans of 18 and 11 millimetres respectively, an eye muscle area of 105 square centimetres, intramuscular fat of 8.1pc, and an average daily weight gain of 0.76.

Ms River Run sat in the top 1pc of the breed for eye muscle area (+5.4) for September 2026 estimated breeding values.

She also sat in the top 4pc for retail beef yield, top 15pc for carcase weight and 20pc for rump fat.

She was purchased by the Godwin family of Tanderra, Springsure.

Annalee Godwin said the heifer was a clear standout after coming and looking at her in person prior to the sale.

"Being PTIC to a chance mating to one of three bulls, we're pretty excited to see what sort of calf we get out of that," she said.

"She is just a very soft, meaty heifer with plenty of bone. We could not see any imperfections in her. There was really nothing to frown about. Good underline, good on top, and just a very feminine, standout heifer."

Ms Godwin hoped Ms River Run would help them improve their herd and expand their genetic base.

"We'll probably retain bulls out of her, and retain all the heifers for our own uses commercially and stud-wise," she said.

"We hope to do a bit of OPU (Ovum Pick-Up) and play around with a few different bulls to see what we can make. We're very happy with her and excited to see what she can do."

Vendor Stephen Pearce said the heifer was very unique and it was not surprising that she did so well and outdid the bulls.

The top-priced bull this year was Telpara Hills Texas Style 541V65, a Brangus son of Suhns Ultimate 30H157 and out of Telpara Hills Miss Real McCoy 541P92, selling for $45,000.

The 24-month-old weighed 1012 kg, had P8 and rib fat scans of 17 and 9 mm respectively, an EMA of 145sq cm, IMF of 5.7pc, and a scrotal circumference of 41 cm.

Texas Style sat in the top 2 per cent of the breed for 200-day weight (+28) for September 2026 estimated breeding values.

He also sat in the top 4 per cent of the breed for 400-day weight and top 6 per cent for 600-day weight for September 2026 EBVs.

He scored in top 8pc of the breed for carcase weight and top 15pc for both retail beef yield and mature cow weight.

He was purchased by the Keogh family, Lyndhurst Station, Einasleigh.

Mr Pearce said the bull was always going to be a crowd favourite due to his outstanding pedigree.

"He's very well balanced, had a phenomenal underline, and a great set of data," he said.

"He was one of the first Suhns Ultimate sons to sell for us this year, and his mother sold a half share to Luna Brangus for $40,000 in our sale in 2020.

"He had a unique pedigree and he had phenotype and data to match it."

See who was spotted at the 2026 Telpara Hills bull and female sale

Pictures by Celia Freeman

The second-top-priced bull was also purchased by the Keogh family, Telpara Hills Barbecue King 541V60, selling for $44,000.

Mr Pearce said the Brangus bull had phenotype, muscle and power to match with the data and consistency of generations at Lyndhurst Station.

Elders stud stock agent Anthony Ball said what underpinned the sale was buyers coming from across Queensland and beyond.

"The competition on the bulls was good, and was probably underpinned by a bit of central and western Queensland support that has travelled here," he said.

"A large proportion of the sale would be all to repeat buyers, which is very pleasing for the program.

"We've obviously seen bulls and females going down to New South Wales, which is good and some strong coastal support as well."

Bulk buyers included the Condon family from Tully, Bush Holdings from Clermont and Allandale Pastoral Co from Charters Towers.

Sale summary

On the day, Angus bulls grossed $54,000, averaged $9000, and topped at $14,000.

Brangus bulls grossed $867,000, averaged $16,055, and topped at $45,000.

Brangus heifers grossed $454,000, averaged $16,814, and hit a top price of $55,000.

Ultrablack bulls grossed $716,000, averaged $16,651, and topped at $42,000.

Ultrablack heifers grossed $158,000, averaged $14,363, and topped at $26,000.

• Agents: Elders, interfaced by AuctionsPlus