Watasanta Santa Gertrudis bull sale tops at $55,000 with strong female demand at Tamworth
Summary
The 18th annual Watasanta Santa Gertrudis bull sale at Tamworth delivered a $55,000 top price and standout heifer prices, against a backdrop of the national Santa Gertrudis female herd expanding by more than 185 per cent over two years. The catalogue sold 27 of 34 Santa Gertrudis bulls under the hammer, alongside 10 black Santa bulls and five pens of heifers, for a total sale aggregate of $644,200. The main Santa Gertrudis run averaged $15,740 and grossed $425,000 at an 80 per cent clearance, with four further bulls sold after the auction. The $55,000 sale-topper, a heavy-built 26-month-old bull, crossed into Queensland to a Longreach stud and offered strong poll genetics on both sire and dam, an eye muscle area of +1.7, a retail beef yield of +0.5, a mature cow weight of +33 and a terminal index of $29, beating the previous year's top by $5000. Other feature bulls made $28,000 and $24,000. The 10 black Santa bulls achieved a perfect clearance to gross $90,000 at a $9000 average, topping at $14,000. Heifer demand was exceptional, with all five pens clearing. The lead pen of eight in-calf Santa Gertrudis females made $3800 to total $30,400, and across 37 females the average reached $3492 for a $129,200 gross, with buyers drawn from local districts through to Warrnambool, Julia Creek and the Sunshine Coast. Strong interest in poll cattle and female genetics underpinned a result that reflected fast-growing momentum behind the breed and confidence across a wide geographic spread of buyers.
Key Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Santa Gertrudis bulls sold | 27 of 34 |
| Main catalogue average | $15,740 |
| Top price bull | $55,000 |
| Total sale aggregate | $644,200 |
| Black Santa bulls average / gross | $9000 / $90,000 |
| Female average / gross (37 head) | $3492 / $129,200 |
| National Santa female herd growth (2 years) | 185%+ |
| Santa Gertrudis bull catalogue clearance | 80% |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What was the top price at the 2026 Watasanta sale?
The top bull made $55,000, exceeding the previous year's top by $5000. It went to a Longreach stud in Queensland for stud duties.
What was the Santa Gertrudis bull average?
The main Santa Gertrudis catalogue averaged $15,740 and grossed $425,000 at an 80 per cent clearance. Four further bulls sold after the auction.
How did the whole sale perform?
The sale posted a total aggregate of $644,200 across bulls and heifers. It was the 18th annual Watasanta sale.
What were the top bull's figures?
The 26-month-old bull carried an eye muscle area of +1.7, a retail beef yield of +0.5, a mature cow weight of +33 and a terminal index of $29. It also offered poll genetics on both sire and dam.
How did the black Santa bulls sell?
The 10 black Santa bulls achieved a perfect clearance, grossing $90,000 at a $9000 average. The top black Santa made $14,000.
How did the heifers sell?
All five pens cleared, with the lead pen of eight in-calf females making $3800 to total $30,400. Across 37 females the average was $3492 for a $129,200 gross.
Why is the Santa Gertrudis breed growing?
The national Santa Gertrudis female herd has expanded by more than 185 per cent over two years. Strong demand for poll cattle and female genetics is driving momentum.
