Bull Sales 2021
Charolais in Strong Demand The strength of the beef industry has propelled bull sales beyond what most breeders would have considered possible five years ago. Charolais demand has been front and centre of this upswing with the overall auction average for Charolais sires finishing off at $11,318. Adding to the breeds’ momentum was the strong clearance rate of 96% at auction. To see strong demand from both registered and commercial breeders on Charolais sires is very pleasing. Commercial breeders in particular have many other options available to purchase but have shown their preference for the Charolais breed emphatically. The Charolais gross of over $18.99million easily eclipsed the previous highest gross of $12.8million achieved in 2020; contrast this to the 2014 gross for Charolais bull sales of $5.46million for a similar number of bulls offered to 2021. Confidence in the beef industry is substantial currently and this has prompted commercial producers to invest in their beef enterprise. After the severe drought that pulled back bull sales in 2018-2019, Charolais bulls sold at auction increased numerically to record 1,678 sales. Whilst we generate Sales Key Performance Indicators [KPI] on auction sales members have advised the office of outstanding demand for paddock sales as well. With many areas having grass again and a reduced number of cattle available for slaughter, heavier cattle such as Charolais cross have benefited from record prices. Some sale prices have been amazing with BM & TL Dickson selling a prime cow weighing 1045kg to return $4,472.60 at CTLX in August. Thirteen-month-old Charolais Angus cross heifers made $2090 at Tamworth and Charolais cows made $3550 at Forbes for slaughter in August giving an idea of the market. These higher price rates were duplicated around the country and the Charolais average bull price has responded in the same manner. Queensland demand has been phenomenal with the state recording the highest sale price and best five sale average prices. Five Charolais bull sales in 2021 recorded a gross over $1 million. In descending order of $ gross they were Palgrove, ANC, Ayr, Moongool and Barambah-Dale/ Kilkenny sales.
Three sales saw their average increase by over 100% from 2020 to 2021. These were Temana averaging $12,536 ($5,542 in 2020), Wakefield $12,053 ($5,769 in 2020) and Advance (Brendale) $13,231 ($6,575 in 2020). The Wakefield sale saw a great result after the sale was postponed by a fortnight as the local area went into a regionalised lockdown. The most pleasing aspect of the 2021 sale season from the breed perspective is the high clearance rates at auction. Across the year, the clearance rate was over 96% and sales achieving 100% clearance were the norm in the stronger spring selling season. This again is a strong indicator of the industry willingness to utilize Charolais genetics in breeding programs, predominantly crossbreeding. In Western Australia, Bardoo R39E sold by the Bell Family topped the sales at $12,000 selling to MH Collins & Co, Nyabing. Bardoo R39E was sired by Bardoo Manpower M5E (P) by Silverstream Holster H187 (P). The second top price of $11,000 was achieved at the Venturon and Silverstone sales. Andrew, Anne and Harris Thompson sold Venturon Quimby Q23 (P) for $11,000 to Bowie Beef, Bridgetown for use over Angus females at their inaugural on property sale. Silverstone Quick Oats Q89 (P) made $11,000 selling to Betty, Bill and Jim Jackson, Frankland River at the second on property bull sale of the Imberti Family. Top average in Western Australia was achieved at the multi vendor WALSA Supreme sale with $7,725 for vendor studs, Copplestone, Brookside and Kooyong. Peter and Judy Milton averaged $8,917 for their team of 12 sires at this sale. South Australia only had two auction sales with the top price $12,000 being achieved twice at the Bellinger Family Goodnwindi sale. Victorian commercial producer Jason Swayne, Lake Purrumbete, purchased both bulls. This was the first time buying from Goodnwindi for Jason who had the top average in South Australia at $7,250. The final Paringa Charolais bull sale produced the top price in Victoria for the year. Paringa Lead Time Q384 (AI) (P) went to Charles Stewart Nash McVilly, Camperdown, on behalf of W Woods Pty Ltd at $26,000.
Top 10 Sale Averages 2021 Herd
Top price Charolais bull in 2021: $75,000: Palgrove Qracker (P) to D Burnett, Mt Douglas Pastoral, Clermont, Qld. Image courtesy Palgrove Charolais. 64
January 2022 Charolais Magazine
State
$ Ave
# Bulls
4 Ways
Qld
18,360
25
Palgrove (Qld)
Qld
17,848
99
Ascot
Qld
17,455
56
Moongool
Qld
16,179
78
Elite
Qld
15,000
10
Palgrove (HV)
NSW
14,975
40
ANC
Qld
13,248
108
Advance (Brendale)
Qld
13,231
26
Bauhinia Park
Qld
13,158
38
Minnie-Vale
NSW
13,023
44
