Excitement is building for the 41st annual Rockhampton Brahman Week Sale (RBWS) being held from October 2 – 4 at CQLX Gracemere with the draft expected to be one of the biggest and best value offerings the sale has seen in its storied history.
A total of 206 vendors stretching from central New South Wales to Far North Queensland, will be presenting 977 excellent sire prospects at the sale (536 Greys and 441 Reds), which are ready to do an outstanding job in stud herds and commercial operations.
Chairman of the RBWS committee Brett Kirk said the quality of the bulls in the 2017 catalogue is “on par, if not better” then last years highly successful draft which saw 822 bulls sell for a cracking $11,750 average.
He said the depth of quality in the bulls, along with the three days prospective buyers have to make their purchases ensures that RBWS remains the premier Brahman sale of the year.
“We’re competing as a breed against other breeds for market share so we need to maintain the high standard of the draft presented at the sale,” he said.
“We’re finding the quality of bulls entered is getting better each year.
“Currently, the season is working against us, but we have a great selection of bulls and the cattle market has been buoyant since last year so I’d be surprised if we don’t achieve another five-figure sale average.”
The sale will unofficially begin on the afternoon of Sunday, October 1, with the Happy Hour BBQ and Annual Charity Auction taking place, the afternoon event provides vendors and prospective buyers with a great opportunity to inspect the sale bulls and have a yarn over a drink and a snag.
The sale action will start from 8am on Monday, October 2 with Lots 1 – 317 of the Grey draft being offered. Tuesday, October 3, will see the remainder of the Greys in Lots 318 - 536 sell to be followed by the first of the Reds in Lots 537 - 670 The sale will finish on Wednesday, October 4, with the last run of Reds in Lots 671 - 975.
Brett said as is usually the case a large portion of the Red bulls will be Polled, but he’s also noticed a spike in the number of Poll Grey bulls catalogued this year.
“Our vendors have recognised that Poll bulls are what commercial buyers and other stud breeders want at present, and are adapting their breeding programs to facilitate their inclusion in their sale drafts.”
Those unable to attend the sale can still bid, with AuctionsPlus offering their online bidding platform after it was successfully introduced last year.
To obtain a hard copy of the sale catalogue please contact the selling agents Elders, Landmark, GDL/SBB, or view the online version at www.brahman.com.au.