Valera Vale Droughtmaster sale tops at $16,000 as double-poll demand grows and volume buyers dominate near Warwick
Summary
Volume buyers dominated the Valera Vale Droughtmaster sale at Avilion, near Warwick, Queensland, on September 10, where 56 of 75 bulls sold for a 74.67 per cent clearance, an average of $7035.70 and a gross of $394,000. The average lifted on the 2025 result of $6451, though that earlier sale had recorded a full 100 per cent clearance. The top-price bull, Valera Vale 25308M, made $16,000 to a Rolleston-based buyer operating Kooringal Pastoral Company, who had also secured the top-priced bull at the 2025 sale. The 22-month-old sale-topper weighed 773 kilograms, showed an average daily gain of 1.36 kilograms, P8 and rib fat of 10 and 8 millimetres, an eye muscle area of 136 square centimetres, intramuscular fat of 5.2 per cent, a scrotal circumference of 44 centimetres, a live semen percentage of 70 and morphology of 80 per cent. A growing appetite for double-poll bulls was evident, with heterozygous, or HPC, bulls proving harder to sell. The sale also offered 29 females, of which 17 sold for a 58.6 per cent clearance, an average of $1985.29, a gross of $33,750 and a top of $3000. Across the full catalogue of 104 head, 73 sold for a 70.19 per cent clearance, a gross of $427,750 and an average of $5859.90 per head. The biggest volume buyer, a Northern Territory operation, took eight head, and there was a strong online presence from the Cunnamulla district. Dry conditions around Augathella were felt to have affected attendance. Nutrien and GDL conducted the sale, interfaced with StockLive.
Key Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Bulls sold | 56 of 75 |
| Bull clearance rate | 74.67 per cent |
| Bull average | $7035.70 |
| Bull gross | $394,000 |
| Top-price bull | $16,000 |
| Overall average per head | $5859.90 |
| Overall gross | $427,750 |
| Top bull weight | 773 kg |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What was the top price at the Valera Vale sale?
The top-price bull, Valera Vale 25308M, made $16,000. It went to a Rolleston-based buyer operating Kooringal Pastoral Company, who was also the top-price buyer at the 2025 sale.
What were the overall bull sale results?
Of 75 bulls offered, 56 sold for a 74.67 per cent clearance, an average of $7035.70 and a gross of $394,000. The average was up on the 2025 figure of $6451, when clearance had been 100 per cent.
What were the top bull's performance figures?
The 22-month-old bull weighed 773 kilograms with an average daily gain of 1.36 kilograms, an eye muscle area of 136 square centimetres and intramuscular fat of 5.2 per cent. It also recorded a 44-centimetre scrotal circumference, 70 per cent live semen and 80 per cent morphology.
How did the female offering sell?
Of 29 females offered, 17 sold for a 58.6 per cent clearance, an average of $1985.29, a gross of $33,750 and a top of $3000. Unsold females returned to the stud's herd.
What were the combined sale totals?
Across 104 head offered, 73 sold for a 70.19 per cent clearance, a gross of $427,750 and an average of $5859.90 per head.
Why were double-poll bulls significant?
Demand for double-poll bulls has grown, and the stud has developed that market. Heterozygous, or HPC, bulls were the harder ones to sell this year.
Who was the biggest volume buyer?
The largest volume buyer was a Northern Territory operation that bought eight head. There was also a strong online presence from the Cunnamulla district.
How did the season affect the sale?
Dry conditions, particularly around Augathella where many regular buyers are based, were felt to have affected attendance. The audience was a mix of new and repeat buyers.
