The spring bull selling season is off to a strong start with many sales recording averages way beyond vendors' expectations, in some cases doubling their averages, and stud selling agents are expecting it to flow across all breeds.
Roma-based agent Cyril Close, TopX, said there are a number of factors driving the bull sale market and he is expecting Queensland sales to be very strong.
"I really don't think we will get to the strength of the southern autumn results as that demand was stronger due to many herds depleted in the 2019 drought," Mr Close said.
"We saw so many southern producers sell their core breeding herds and they are now on a mission to rebuilt and needed more bulls to breed up numbers very quickly.
"That isn't quite the case here in Queensland as many producers managed to keep their breeding herds."
Mr Close said the market is in perspective as the cattle supply chain is now worth twice as much as it was two years ago.
"You only have to follow the eastern young cattle indicator graph and follow the rise and rise, and it is still rising," Mr Close said.
He also said the cast for age bull market was strong and was sitting between 330c to 360c/kg.
"That is good money as producers are getting in excess of $3000 to $3500 for cast for age bulls," he said.
"It is pretty handy money to be put towards replacements."
Mr Close said there are very few paddock bulls available for sale, and again this is due to the 2019 drought as bull breeders culled heavily due to the drought.
"This is also putting pressure on the auction system as these blokes who would normally chase paddock bulls and now have to compete at the sale."
Mr Close said it was the premium that processors are paying for black cattle, especially the Angus and Ultrablacks, that is driving the heady Angus bull market.
"Processors are encouraging producers with the premium, so a lot of cattlemen are doing their sums and introducing them to their herds to get the benefits."
According to GDL stud stock manger Harvey Weyman-Jones, the earlier sales have seen averages up by 50 per cent to 60pc from last year.
"We would normally look at the price of four steers needed to replace a good bull, but this year with the good cattle prices, we say producers will need five heavy steers," Mr Weyman-Jones said.
"This is a reflection of rain, short supply of bulls, plus rebuilding the herds and confidence in future beef market."
Helen Walker
Helen is the Toowoomba-based journalist who loves nothing better than covering anything horse sport related, however she covers all commodities and personality yarns. Over the years she has lived in Brisbane, Rockhampton, Longreach and Roma filing stories for the 'bible of the bush'. Contact 0459 827414.
Helen is the Toowoomba-based journalist who loves nothing better than covering anything horse sport related, however she covers all commodities and personality yarns. Over the years she has lived in Brisbane, Rockhampton, Longreach and Roma filing stories for the 'bible of the bush'. Contact 0459 827414.
