A legion of striking bulls from 175 vendors situated as far north as Charters Towers, and as far down as Northern New South Wales have been catalogued for the 44th annual Australian Brahman Breeders' Association (ABBA) sponsored Rockhampton Brahman Week Sale (RBWS) taking place at the CQLX Saleyards, in Gracemere, from Monday, October 5 to Wednesday, October 7 from 8am daily.
ABBA manager Anastasia Fanning said the bulls chosen for inclusion in the 860 lot draft, including 526 registered grey bulls, 310 registered red bulls and 24 herd bulls, 305 of which are polled, were selected for their quality of breed characteristics, structural correctness and easy doing ability.
"This sales appeal lies in the stringent guidelines by which it's operated. Vendors are limited in their numbers however if they achieve the sale average with their draft they will be rewarded with being able to sell more bulls in this renowned sale next year," Mrs Fanning said.
"Because of these guidelines, the majority of the vendors understand that they can only bring their best bulls to this sale or they will lose numbers," she said.
Mrs Fanning said this in turn leads to great opportunities for buyers.
"Commercial buyers know that this sale will offer them a large run of very good bulls. They can sit there during the three days of the sale and bid on a lot of bulls but still be able to stay within their budget because they know there will be more bulls still to come into the ring. Buyers don't need to be pressured because of the scale and quality of the sale.
"Stud Buyers understand that some of the best studs in the country sell their best bulls at RBWS. Stud operators know that they can buy very good stud sires at this sale with proven breeding's."
She said the 2020 sale draft is coming together very well.
"The bulls that I've seen are of a very good quality with impressive masculinity and muscling along with correct structure. There are some excellent purchases available for the buying panel."
Mrs Fanning said the 2019 RBWS was a tremendously strong sale with an impressive clearance of 99 per cent and an average of $10,954. In all 779 bulls sold to gross $8,541,500.
"To see such consistent bidding throughout the sale with so many highlights it was a true testament to the vendors hard work in breeding and presenting high quality animals."
Top price sale honours were shared between the greys and reds in 2019.
John and Dawn Kirk, Carinya Brahmans, Gayndah, sold the $105,000 top price grey, Carinya Milwaukee (H), to a buyers partnership between Will and Tracy Fenech, Fenech Cattle Co, Wowan and Mark, Belinda and Walter Wilson, Banana Station, Banana.
The $105,000 top price red, Mt Callan Scully 19/18 (AI) (PP), was offered by Noel and Manny Sorley, Mt Callan Brahmans, Dalby, with the winning bid placed by Charters Towers producers Brian and Glenda Kirkwood, Somerview Red Brahmans.
Post-sale Nutrien Rockhampton auctioneer James Saunders, said it had been an outstanding sale.
"To get the clearance is one of the best things I've ever seen. There were a lot of bulls which made $30,000 plus. The confidence in the whole beef industry is high and it was exciting to be calling," he said.
Beth Streeter, Palmvale Red Brahmans, Marlborough, said a sense of self-help courses deep within the Brahman breeding group.
"Brahman breeders are like their own community," she said post-sale.
"These people have big hearts and long memories. They look out for one another and the breed is going superbly. This sale has promoted a lot of positive energy.
The bulls that I've seen are of a very good quality with impressive masculinity and muscling along with correct structure. There are some excellent purchases available for the buying panel.
- ABBA manager Anastasia Fanning.
Mrs Fanning said climatic conditions are greatly improved comparative to this time last year.
"Following some good rain in late February early March there has been some further falls in the last month.
"The stand of feed grown from the rain in February and/or March has created a much better environment for producers to breed their cattle in.
"Those with commercial herds have had excellent sales with a very strong commercial market for all of 2020 creating a tremendous environment for RBWS 2020 to be very strong."
A Covid-19 Safe Plan will be in place at CQLX Gracemere during the stud sales to keep the community safe.
"Each attendee, vendor or buyer, will need to sign in each day that they're at the yards. Please leave plenty of time each morning to sign in. There is an app available called Sine Pro which will help to keep this process moving each morning.
"Due to the numbers that attend RBWS only two people will be allowed in around the selling ring per bid card and social distancing will be required. An extra area will be set aside in the Aus-Stadium at CQLX for vendors to watch the sale via live stream."
Online bidding will be available for the sale through Stocklive. The draft of bulls will be available for inspection from midday on Sunday, October 4, with all bulls in their pens by then.
A meet and greet at the saleyards will be held from 5pm on Sunday evening. A barbecue buffet and bar facilities will be available.
The online catalogue can be viewed on the ABBA website, with photos of bulls being received daily. Printed catalogues will be available three weeks prior to the sale from the ABBA office or from the sale agents.
- For further pre-sale information please contact the 2020 RBWS selling agents Elders, Nutrien, and SBB/GDL