Cover: Earlwood Tuala (PP), $130,000 equal top price at 2025 Rockhampton Brangus Sale. Image: KB Consulting.
2027
DISCLAIMER
The Australian Brangus magazine is published twice a year by the Australian Brangus Cattle Association (ABCA). While every effort has been taken to ensure that all details are correct, ABCA cannot accept any responsibility for the accuracy of the information contained within the magazine or for the consequences of any actions taken or not taken as a result of this information. Views and opinions expressed in the magazine are not necessarily those of ABCA.
President's Report
"Keep on keeping on" and "plan around the controllables" probably best describes our industry at the moment. There are certainly tailwinds, but the seas are rough and the crew remains cautious.
Commercial cattle prices have sprung to life following the rain events in May. Few would have predicted that May, June and most of July would deliver such mild conditions to grow feed for those who did get very nice rain.
The market has responded strongly. To put that into perspective, the Eastern Young Cattle Indicator (EYCI) has rallied from 349c/kg cwt in October 2023 to a high of 1,022c/kg cwt in July 2026. Over the same period, the National Feeder Steer Indicator has risen from 204c/kg lwt to 555c/kg lwt. For comparison, the EYCI reached its all-time high of 1,190c/kg cwt in January 2022 – the seas were calm, there was a full tailwind, and the crew had plenty of rum.
Processor capacity has increased significantly since the low prices of late 2023, while feedlot capacity has expanded to a record 1.75 million head. Greater feedlot capacity has provided processors with improved certainty of supply, allowing them to better maintain labour forces.
The economics of retaining heavy feeders through to bullocks versus selling feeders and replacing them with two weaner steers has been debated for many years. This point was reinforced by Ian McCamley at the recent Beef Elevation event, where he explained how his business has become more efficient by shifting from supplying bullocks to supplying heavy feeders.
Commercial breeders are also investing in better infrastructure for confinement feeding during dry periods, recognising that few factors influence cattle prices more than the weather. At the same time, it's fair to say that graziers have become more effective at grazing management and adjusting stocking rates to suit seasonal conditions.
There are plenty of other moving parts and volatility, mostly outside of our control. So, what is within our control as a membership and as the Brangus brand?
We must remain customer-focused, solve production inefficiencies better than competing breeds, and see every Brangus member as part of a collective rather than as a competitor. If we want to continue building momentum for the Brangus brand, we need to work together to improve profitability and solve inefficiencies for our customers right along the supply chain. No individual member is large enough to shift the needle alone. Together, we can. I encourage every member to reflect that collective mindset in their marketing this spring bull selling season.
It's also important to recognise that not everyone is our customer. From an endmarket perspective, Brangus’ bread and butter is consistently delivering aboveaverage eating quality across both grain and grass-fed programs. We can certainly strive for exceptional eating quality, but we must not lose sight of the production traits that create value throughout the supply chain.
Nor should we compete on being the lowest-cost option. Australia is an exportdependent nation with relatively high production costs. Our seasonal variability also creates processor bottlenecks, making it even more important that commercial producers have cattle that are highly marketable when supply increases. These are all reasons why we as a collective should be customer driven.
Congratulations to Tim and Prue Flynn, along with Mark and Katrina Brown, for initiating and delivering the inaugural Brangus Futurity Show in Gracemere.
It was a fantastic event that showcased Brangus cattle exceptionally well, and planning is already well underway for the next Futurity in 2028.
The Roma Feature Show was also a tremendous success, with a strong display of Brangus cattle. The facilities and layout worked well for both exhibitors and spectators.
Congratulations also to Jason Jeynes and Julie Sheehan of Kraken Brangus on the success of their dispersal sale. While undoubtedly a bittersweet occasion, it was encouraging to see several new members investing strongly in the breed. We thank Jason and Julie for their contribution to the Brangus breed, and wish them well for the future.
Finally, I wish all exhibitors and vendors the very best at the upcoming shows and Spring sales.
Agriculture remains a great industry, Brangus cattle have a bright future, and Beef 2027 will be here before we know it.
Justin Boshammer President Australian Brangus Cattle Association Ltd
Cattle NLIS & visual tags
the Executive Paper
Welcome to the Spring 2026 edition of the Australian Brangus magazine.
This magazine provides an excellent opportunity to reflect on the year thus far. There is a lot to celebrate for the Association and the Brangus breed.
The inaugural Brangus Futurity was held in May, a great spectacle for the breed. Some 98 nominations from 16 exhibitors, all competing for more than $20,000 worth of cash and prizes. Contributions from 33 sponsors in total made the event possible. A particular thank you to major sponsor Williams Stockfeeds.
Initiatives such as the Brangus Futurity do not get off the ground without the hard work and determination of committee members. Thanks, need to be extended to Tim and Prue Flynn and Mark and Katrina Brown, who collectively were the driving force behind the inaugural event.
Members continue to support shows, female sales, and carcase competitions, some of which are reported and celebrated in these pages. On behalf of the Association, I extend a heartfelt thank you to all the members who contribute to promoting the breed at shows, sales, carcase competitions, and the like.
In the Autumn edition of this column, I discussed the Board’s commitment to developing a strategic plan and the potential impact that plan will have on the Association. Thank you to all the members who contributed to the plan by way of the member workshops, member input questionnaire and conversations with board members and myself.
The strategic plan will soon be published in full. However, an overview is published in this magazine on page 18.
Part of the strategic plan is an expanded geographic focus to all Northern Australia. In March, the Association attended the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association conference in Darwin, and we are looking forward to the 2027 conference in Alice Springs.
Plans are underway for Brangus activities at BEEF2027, and I look forward to previewing that in the Autumn 2027 magazine and celebrating the event in the Spring 2027 magazine.
Preparations for the spring sale season are well underway, and I wish you all a prosperous selling season. The Roma Brangus Sale to be held on Friday 4th September at Roma Saleyards has 111 lots catalogued, comprising 98 bulls and 13 females. Excitingly, Rockhampton Brangus Sale, celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026, will see 317 lots go under the hammer at CQLX Gracemere on Monday, 12th and Tuesday, 13th October, including 56 females and 261 bulls.
Finally, I would like to acknowledge the board of directors for their support of the Brangus Australia staff. It is a pleasure to work with you collectively for the benefit of the Brangus breed.
Nathan O'Sullivan Chief Executive Officer Australian Brangus Cattle Association Ltd
Gorgeous Girl Takes Top Gong at the Inaugural Brangus Futurity
The inaugural Williams Stockfeeds Brangus Futurity will be remembered as a massive success, no matter how you analyse it.
Some 98 nominations from 16 exhibitors hailing from Mackay to Naracoorte, all competing for more than $20,000 worth of cash and prizes.
Consider that all the exhibits were under 21 months, and the significance of the 89 head of Calf and Junior Brangus and Ultrablack cattle that exhibited before Judge Ray Vella, Vella Brahmans, Proserpine, and Associate Cameron Davis, Watership Downs Brangus, Casino becomes evident.
Contributions from 33 sponsors in total made the event possible; they are all greatly appreciated. A particular thank you to major sponsor Williams Stockfeeds, whose support made the event a reality.
Similarly, initiatives such as the Brangus Futurity do not get off the ground without the hard work and determination of committee members.
Thanks, need to be extended to Tim and Prue Flynn and Mark and Katrina Brown,
who collectively were the driving force behind the inaugural event.
Claiming the spoils of the prize pool, including a bespoke Brangus artwork from Brisbane Artist Monica Rohan, was Supreme Exhibit, Bullakeana You Gorgeous Girl (PP), exhibited by Brad and Vicki Hanson and family’s Hanson Cattle Co, Theodore.
Graduating from the Junior Female section, the 18-month-old daughter of Palgrove Primemover P1135 (U)(PP) (Palgrove Kingpin K1250 (U)(PP)), was out of Bullakeana NU Gorgeous (PP) (Bullakeana Grand Icon (P)).
Tim and Prue Flynn, Wildcard Brangus, Ridgelands, exhibited the Calf Champion Female, Wildcard Nardia 361 (PP)(AI).
A 9-month-old Bonox Millionaire 1138 (PP) (Bonox 563 (P)) daughter, out of Wildcard Donna (P) (Bonox 335 (PP)).
N Bar Xactly Right (PP) exhibited by the Lamb Family’s N Bar Brangus Banana was
named the Reserve Calf Champion Female at eight months of age.
She was sired by N Bar Ultimate (PP) (Bullakeana Taurus (P)) and out of Kraken Miss Dolly 011S2 (P)(AI) (IH Crow 504Z (PP)).
Edward and Kara Quinn and family, Voewood Brangus, Calliope, exhibited the Reserve Junior Champion Female, Voewood Vogue V683 (PP).
An 18-month-old daughter of Gunnadoo Park Mate (PP) (Gunnadoo Park Famous (PP)), out of Voewood Pink (PP) (Voewood Law Firm (PP)(ET)).
One innovation of the Brangus Futurity was to judge the group classes between the female and male sections.
The Breeders Group was won by Bullakeana Brangus.
Bullakeana Brangus also won the Pair of Bulls, while Voewood Brangus won the Pair of Heifers.
Supreme Exhibit, Bullakeana You Gorgeous Girl (PP) with exhibitors Annaka, Brad and Vicki Hanson.
Bullakeana Brangus claimed the Sires Progeny Group with three progeny of Palgrove Primemover P1135 (U)(PP), and the Dams Progeny Group with two progeny of Yaraandoo T85 (PP).
The Calf Champion Male was ten-monthold Sandy Banks Wrangler Jack (PP), exhibited by Shane and Angela Jackson and family, Sandy Banks Brangus, Tiaro.
Sired by M1B Romeo R155 (PP) (M1B Scrubbee 7-W9V (PP)), and out of Stutzview 827 (PP) (Bindaree 0707 (PP)), weighed in at 424kg.
The Reserve Calf Champion Bull, Triple B Walters W169 (PP), exhibited by Lindsay and Fiona Barlow and family’s Triple B Brangus, Dingo, Walters W169 sired by the
Australian Brangus equal record holder, Earlwood Riki (PP) (Tannyfoil P79 (PP)), who sold in 2024 for $150,000 at the Rockhampton Brangus Sale.
Out of Triple B Renee Q492 (PP)(ET) (Brinks Bright Side 607L11 (PP)(ET)), the eightmonth-old weighed 363kg.
Backing up his win the week prior at the Roma Feature Show, Voewood Vortex V708 (PP) took out the Junior Champion Male title for Voewood Brangus.
Sired by the Roma Brangus Sale record holder, Gunnadoo Park Mate (PP), who sold in 2021 for $64,000, the 18-monthold was out of Voewood Nebraska (PP) (ET) (DCC MR Paladin 915U5 (P)(AI)), and weighed 676kg.
The Reserve Junior Champion Bull was Bullakeana You’re Handsome (PP) exhibited by Bullakeana Brangus.
The 20-month-old son of Palgrove Primemover P1135 (U)(PP) weighed 772kg, and was out of Bullakeana Our Pretty Lady
Beef Elevation delivered an outstanding program featuring an exceptional lineup of speakers from across the beef supply chain.
Bringing together leading producers, industry specialists, researchers and business professionals, the event provided attendees with valuable insights, practical knowledge and real-world perspectives on the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of the Australian beef industry.
Brangus Australia President Justin Boshhammer officially welcomed attendees, acknowledging the significant contribution each person makes to the Australian beef industry and expressing gratitude for their ongoing commitment and support of the Beef Industry.
Setting the tone for the event, Mr Boshammer introduced the conference theme, "More Efficient, More Consistent," highlighting the importance of embracing innovation, informed decision-making and continuous improvement to the future of beef production.
Driving a successful Grass Fed Business
Ian McCamley, Director of MCC Pastoral, Rolleston, told the Beef Elevation Conference attendees that the key to success is to “Stay in your lane, work out what it is you do and that you are passionate about, that you make some money out of and do that. Avoid chasing the shiny distractions”.
MCC Pastoral is a highly progressive, multi-generational Australian beef producer. Managing 29,600 hectares and 10,000 cattle, they are recognised for sustainable land management and agricultural innovation.
To begin his presentation, Mr McCamley compared the volume of rain that falls annually with that of other parts of the world and the amount of evaporation, highlighting the importance of maximising the moisture we do get.
“We need to remember where we live, it is so imperative that we engage deep-rooted ground cover to maximise the moisture we do get here in the driest, most evaporative country on earth”, Mr McCamley said.
Attendees heard how MCC Pastoral has streamlined its operations into a single enterprise.
A decision backed by agricultural benchmarking data shows that businesses with one or two enterprises are most profitable.
Discussing key factors of the MCC Pastoral Business, Mr McCamley spoke about their decision-making and internal communication processes and provided insights.
They work by the adage, “You can’t manage what you don’t measure”.
Measuring and benchmarking allows them to build low-cost production into their business.
They are constantly observing trends within their business and the wider benchmarking group to understand where they sit and whether trends are up or down.
MCC Pastoral looks to optimise individual performance to the individual's genetic potential within their backgrounding enterprise. Utilising Optiweigh technology to optimise the turn-off date, maximising feedlot entry weights without incurring penalties.
Mr McCamley also discussed People with Beef Elevation attendees, sharing insights into how they manage people within the MCC Pastoral and the work they do to ensure a strong culture and team performance.
Including work done into understanding team members' personality types, and how their staff operates. Highlighting the importance of family in the business and showcasing how they prioritise family over everything else.
The strong culture and team performance extend beyond the boundary fence at MCC Pastoral and include strong relationships with key advisors and suppliers, including their cattle buyer, transport operator, and customer.
Mr McCamley discussed grazing and land management. Giving an overview of how practices have changed over time, including the benefits they saw when they changed from turning off grass-fed bullocks to turning off feeders and the resulting changes in livestock management.
“It is all about soil protection, soil only goes one way, it leaves. Soil should be your core asset.”
Understanding the basic tools is critical, Mr McCamley told attendees, ground cover, rest, and understanding the pasture growth curve.
Mr McCamley credits Stan Parsons from Zimbabwe, who taught Australian graziers how to manage pastures.
To conclude, Mr McCamley encouraged graziers to tell their story, highlighting that the story of grazing animals is simple and is positive for the environment.
A paddock of grazing animals eats, drinks, walks, and fertilises the paddock.
“Less than 2% of the dry matter an animal eats is converted to beef. The other 98% is returned to the ecosystem”, Mr McCamley said.
Insight into Grain Fed Supply Chain
“There is no silver bullet, success is the result of doing a lot of things well every day”, Phil Conaghan, Director of Barmount Feedlot, Clarke Creek, told attendees at Beef Elevation.
“Success starts with producing and purchasing the right cattle at the right price, and continues through preparation, transport, induction, animal health, ration formulation, grain processing, feed delivery, bunk management, and marketing”, Mr Conaghan said.
“None of those things operates in isolation, and every decision made along the supply chain has an impact on the next stage and ultimately on overall profitability”.
Owned and operated by the Conaghan family for over 75 years, Barmount operates a 10,000 standard cattle unit feedlot, turning off approximately 36,000 head annually, supported by a 7,500-hectare property used for farming and backgrounding operations.
Barmount won the Australian Lot Feeders Association Australian Feedlot of the Year Award for 8,000 to 15,000-head category in 2024.
Family is very much at the centre of the Barmount operation, with wife Lynise managing the staff and feedlot office, daughter Tessa is the livestock manager, son Regan managing farming and cropping operations, and recently put engineering qualifications to good use during the recent feed mill upgrade, and eldest son
Andrew working across the business and providing feedlot management software, Livestock Junction.
Each member of the family has developed their own skills and area of interest within the business. A family working toward a common goal and outcome is key to the Barmount's success.
Barmount primarily targets the 100-day grain-fed export market, with a smaller percentage of cattle for the 70-day trade market.
Barmount’s location between four processing plants, all at equal distances, gives access to several market options. Another advantage is cattle do not need to clear ticks on their way to the feedlot, reducing complications in cattle procurement.
The Ideal feeder steer, Barmount’s nutritionist believes, from a purely feedconversion perspective, the most efficient animal is approximately 380kg live weight.
However, Mr Conaghan told Beef Elevation, feed conversion is not the only thing to consider. They need to produce a carcase weight of over 320kg to maximise value on the grid.
If cattle start too light, they finish the feeding period before they reach the required carcase weight. If cattle are over 450kg at induction, their feed conversion will drop off, and they may get overfat.
Therefore, Barmount are looking to find a balance between efficiency and the processor grid. The ideal induction weight is a pen average of 420kg. Evenness and consistency across the pen are critical to ensure the pen performs as a whole.
Breed is considered when purchasing cattle; however, the quality of the cattle is more important than the breed. Properly weaned, handled and prepared cattle are very important, and have a large impact on their performance in the feedlot.
“Preparation of cattle prior to entering the feedlot can have as much of an impact on performance as the breed”, Mr Conaghan said.
When discussing Barmount’s approach to buying cattle and managing market risk, Mr Conaghan said that in trading businesses, the purchase price of cattle has the single biggest impact on profitability, with feeder cattle price being more volatile and fluctuating far greater than the price received for finished cattle.
Preparation of cattle prior to entering the feedlot can have as much of an impact on performance as the breed
Consistency in feedlot performance at Barmount is driven by attention to detail across the entire feeding process.
Mr Conaghan highlighted that the commercial producer makes several decisions that have a major impact on supply chain profitability, particularly around weaning and preparation.
“Weaning should teach cattle the skills they need later in life”, Mr Conaghan said.
Genetics play an important role in the feedlot profitability and need to be considered across the entire supply chain.
Giving an example, Mr Conaghan warned producers against selecting for a single stage of the supply chain and failing to consider the requirements of the entire supply chain.
“We need balanced cattle that perform throughout the supply chain, rather than optimising for one segment of the supply chain without consideration of other segments”, he said.
Mr Conaghan discussed the importance of relationships and open communication with both suppliers and customers to the Barmount business.
Concluding, Mr Conaghan reiterated key points: buy price matters, producers have a major influence on feedlot outcomes, genetics must be considered across the whole supply chain, market specifications must drive production, and there is no silver bullet.
Iona Beef Processing Project
Considered a project of state significance by the Coordinator General's Officer, Martin Laffer, Managing Director of Northern Australia Agrifoods, Emerald, provided the Beef Elevation conference with an update on the Iona Beef Processing Project proposed to be built outside of Emerald.
The current project design includes a 900-head-per-day processing plant with an attached 35,000 SCU feedlot, digestors and reactors generating more than 5.0 megawatts to fuel the operations and plans to produce approximately 50,000 tonnes per year of bio-nutrient fertiliser.
Mr Laffer told Beef Elevation attendees that the project is for any producer interested in value-added beef programs and is far greater than any one producer or even a group of producers.
Some seven years into the journey, the project has the support of four families from around the Emerald district, who have been working together through the planning and approval stages.
With investor support recently secured, Beef Elevation attendees were told the project would now focus on fleshing out the project in terms of modelling, design, and development approvals.
The project is not intended to compete with commodity processing plants, but rather to serve as an incubator for branded beef programs and to promote better marketing of the region's beef.
The $320 million project is expected to employ over 400 staff once operational and to generate economic output of $1.13 billion, making it an influential and catalytic project of scale for the region.
Whilst construction will occur in phases, it is expected that the processing plant will
be completed within 2 years of receiving developmental approval.
The final big hurdle of the project will come after the commission, namely the 2-year licensing period before an export license is granted.
Every Millimetre Matters
Ross Newman, Founder of Pastures to Prosperity, Fairy Bower, challenged Beef Elevation attendees with how Central Queensland beef producers can turn every millimetre of rainfall into more kilograms of beef.
Sharing insights into pasture management and the impact it has on the overall profitability of a beef grazing business.
One of the key messages from Mr Newman was that while producers cannot control the rainfall that falls, they can influence the system that captures the rainfall, grows and harvests the grass.
Highlighting that, profitability starts when the feed base becomes a measured production system.
Introducing the efficiency chain, Mr Newman showed how rainfall, becomes plant available water, influencing the quantity of grass grown, and grass harvested, which in turn impacts the quantity of beef produced and overall profit.
Explaining that the biggest leak in the system is water that fails to infiltrate and is lost through evaporation, runoff, or deep drainage. The biggest lever is a resilient pasture that quickly converts stored water into leaf after rainfall. The profit trigger within the chain, being harvesting the right feed at the right time, which converts biology into business.
Based on the efficiency chain, Mr Newman compared two grass species, Gayndah Buffel and Gatton Panic, showing that with an extra 100mm of plant-available water, the latter will produce an extra 1.5 tonnes of dry matter per hectare, yielding an extra 37.5kg of beef per hectare.
Explaining that if water is captured, the grass response can become tonnes of additional beef.
Mr Newman went on to explain that the objective is not to make it rain another 100mm, that is not in the producer's control. The objective is to keep another 100mm in the soil where plants can use it.
It is important to understand where millimetres leak out of the business, Mr Newman told Beef Elevation. Efficiency is often recovered by plugging small leaks, not one large silver bullet.
Mr Newman also showcased that pasture-grown is not pasture-harvested, demonstrating that approximately 75% of pasture-grown is available to stock, 30% is eaten, and 2.5% is converted to beef.
Finding the balance between the pasture production system and the animal production system is critical, Mr Newman
told Beef Elevation challenging attendees to consider how their animal production system aligns with their pasture growth curve.
Mr Newman believes that Central Queensland producers are underselling legumes in their pastures. Legumes impact diet quality, nitrogen fixation, soil biology, root channels, carbon at depth, nutrient cycling, and late-season protein.
Research has shown that adding the right legume to a Buffel grass system and change the genetic expression of the Buffel grass.
When looking to improve a pasture, Mr Newman, encouraged producers to prioritise the constraints before buying an expensive solution.
Encouraging producers to measure feed grown and feed harvested first, then fix grazing management, address the soil's biological function, and finally renovate a pasture. The goal is to build a resilient pasture in the long term.
“Not knowing how to harvest grass, starves profit out of the business”.
To conclude, Mr Newman challenged attendees to consider three questions when looking at their pasture system. How many kg of grass did this paddock grow? How much of that grass did we harvest with damaging recovery? How many kg of beef did that paddock grow?
“The objective is making every millimetre of rainfall produce more beef”, Mr Newman said.
The objective is making every millimetre of rainfall produce more beef
Technology in the Beef Supply Chain
Managing director of Livestock Junction, Andrew Conaghan, spoke to Beef Elevation attendees about the use of technology and data in the beef supply chain.
Livestock Junction is a comprehensive yet easy-to-use livestock and management software designed to streamline operations and enhance efficiency.
Based on the feedlot software Possum Gully, which was developed by Richard Conibear and acquired by the Conaghan family in November 2023, following a business strategy meeting that identified the future of the software as a risk to the Barmount business.
Following the acquisition and rebranding as Livestock Junction, the software transformation began, retaining Possum Gully's depth of industry knowledge while modernising and innovating.
Livestock Junction is now a modern cloud-based software, with a mobile app launching soon. Having seen rapid growth over the last three years, they now have clients across Australia, Indonesia, and the USA, and an expanded team of two software developers and three product specialists.
Barmount remains an important part of Livestock Junction, including the development and implementation of new features.
Highlighting the huge volume of information and data generated across the beef industry and questioning if that plethora of data is being used to its full potential.
Exploring the enormous volume of data generated across different segments of the beef supply chain, Mr Conaghan questioned whether the limited flow of data and information between segments limits the industry's potential performance.
Highlighting the data generated in the feedlot sector and captured in the Livestock Junction software, including the management decisions the data supports. Providing examples at all stages, including purchase and transport, induction, bunk management, animal health, feed delivery and milling, commodity management, and financial and performance data.
Mr Conaghan described how components of this information have value to other segments of the supply chain, including the processor, the backgrounder, and the breeder.
“The objective isn’t to simply collect more data, it is to turn all the data you do have into something people can understand and ultimately use to run their business better” Mr Conaghan concluded.
MONDAY 12 OCTOBER 6PM
2026-2030 Strategic Plan Preview
Article NATH O'SULLIVAN
The Australian Brangus Cattle Association is set to release its 2026-2030 Strategic Plan in full soon.
This edition of the Australian Brangus Magazine provides an excellent opportunity to preview the Strategic Plan, including the Association's vision, mission, and values, which form the core of the five-year plan, as well as the short-term priorities on which work has begun.
Thanks, need to be extended to all members who contributed to the plan through the member workshops, the member input questionnaire, and conversations with board members and management.
The thing that really shone through in the initial work the Board did on this Strategic Plan was the importance of Community and what was termed The Brangus Family.
This is not new; it was the focus of some work the Board did in 2022, and it is very evident at Brangus events such as the Brangus Futurity and the Roma and Rockhampton Brangus Sales.
Brangus Relevance is the theme of this Strategic Plan, and throughout it, the Relevance of Brangus will be highlighted.
Turning to the values
· Integrity and Trust are core to everything we do
· Demonstrating Relevance will ensure the Association is viable for many years to come
· Family and community are what everything else is built on
· We pride ourselves on being Accessible and look to how we can do an even better job of that
· Being results-driven and evidence-based will aid in demonstrating the relevance of Brangus
· Finally, Resilience, the breed is resilient, the breeders are resilient, we look to ensure the Association is just as resilient.
BRANGUS RELEVANT WHERE IT COUNTS, WHERE IT PAYS, EVERY SEASON
PURPOSE
THE BRANGUS FAMILY
MEMBER-OWNED COMMUNITY OF INTEGRITY DELIVERING SUPERIOR GENETICS FOR AUSTRALIAN CONDITIONS
INTEGRITY & TRUST HONEST, TRANSPARENT DEALINGS WITH HERDBOOK INTEGRITY
ACCESSILITY EASY TO DO BUSINESS WITH FAIR TREATMENT FOR ALL
RESILIENCE HARDY CATTLE AND ORGANISATIONAL STRENGTH
The short-term focus of the Strategic Plan is to lay the foundation for the mediumand long-term goals identified.
First is the Migration of Registry and DNA Database Software to Helical which we recently announced. This modern robust cloud-based software will ensure our core member services are secure into the future.
Second is strengthening the BREEDPLAN partnership including the introduction of new traits such as Days to Calving and participating in Multibreed Evaluation Development, ensuring breeders have access to technical support and being involved in research and new trait development.
Our proposed Regional Presence and Event Strategy is centred around Sales, Field Days and Conferences, and Agricultural Shows, with an expanded focus on Northern Australia.
Some expanded activities are already underway, including attending the NTCA conference in Darwin, sponsoring the commercial cattle sections of both the Mackay and Hughenden Shows, and considering attending other Agricultural Field Days in future years.
Like the Regional Presence Strategy, the Youth Program Expansion focuses on the future growth of the Association and the Breed.
SHORT TERM FOCUS
REGISTRY SOFTWARE MIGRATION
HELICAL REGISTRY & DNA DATABASE SOFTWARE
ROBUST CLOUD BASED SOLUTION GO-LIVE JANUARY 2027
GENETIC
EVALUATION
TRAIT & INDEX DEVELOPMENT
IN MULTIBREED DEVELOPMENT
IN RESEARCH
EXPANDED REGIONAL PRESENCE
NORTHERN AUSTRALIA FOCUS
INCREASED PRESENCE AT FIELD-DAYS & CONFERENCES SUPPORTING SHOWS & SALES
YOUTH PROGRAM EXPANSION
EDUCATION & DEVELOPMENT OF YOUTH STRONG SCHOLARSHIP & AWARD PROGRAM
INCREASED YOUTH ENGAGEMENT
Broken into four key areas of Education and Development, Scholarships and Awards, Shows, and Engagement Activities. A large portion of these activities are being worked on, but more can be done around solidifying activities and expanding.
The future of the Youth Program will be driven by the Youth Consultative Committee, which will provide personal development opportunities for the committee members and potential future breed leaders.
For Trusted Stud Stock Service
The Elders team combine market leading insight, proven auctioneering expertise and tailored strategic advice to elevate your stud stock performance and maximise results.
The 2026 Northern Territory Cattlemen's Association (NTCA) Conference brought together the very best of the Australian beef industry in Darwin this March, with producers, industry leaders, researchers and innovators gathering at the Darwin Convention Centre for one of northern Australia's premier cattle events.
Held under the theme "Better on Beef", the conference celebrated both the proud heritage and exciting future of the northern beef industry. Across three action-packed days, attendees explored the opportunities and challenges shaping the sector through a comprehensive program of keynote presentations, panel discussions, live demonstrations and networking events. With more than 1,000 delegates, 33 speakers, 127 sponsors and 92 exhibitors, the 2026 conference was the largest NTCA Conference held to date.
Brangus Australia was represented by Nathan O'Sullivan and myself, with our trade stand attracting a constant flow of producers interested in learning more about the breed and its suitability to northern production systems.
Throughout the conference, discussions were around the strengths of Brangus cattle, including fertility, structural soundness, mobility, heat tolerance, adaptability and their ability to perform under the challenging conditions of northern Australia.
While Brangus cattle are still relatively underrepresented throughout the Northern Territory and Western Australia, the trade stand highlighted opportunities for the breed to expand across the north. There was genuine interest from producers looking to introduce Brangus into their herds. Red Brangus were a topic considerable interest, particularly for their suitability to supply the Indonesian live export market.
The conference program featured an impressive lineup of respected speakers covering genetics, technology, sustainability, economics, water security and the future direction of Australia's northern beef industry.
Day one opened with MC Anna Cochrane from Consolidated Pastoral Company, who welcomed delegates before an engaging series of presentations. Sessions explored integrated farming systems, breeding program development, genomics, emerging technologies and innovation across northern production systems.
Highlights included Dr Darryl Savage from NAPCo sharing insights into the company's breeding program, while Base Pair Genomics presented the practical application of genomics from a pastoralist's perspective. Industry experts also participated in a thought-provoking panel discussion examining whether adoption or adaptation presents the greatest challenge for northern producers.
Technology and innovation featured strongly throughout the day, with presentations on drone technology, data collection, pasture monitoring and practical solutions to improve productivity and decision making across extensive grazing operations.
Live demonstrations showcased a range of emerging products and technologies, including the Too Easy Firestick, Zoetis' BRD control strategies, practical water security solutions from Grundfos and Pioneer Water Tanks, and advancements in solar pumping and remote water monitoring systems.
The day concluded with the NTCA and Pioneer Water Tanks Welcome Drinks, held within the trade exhibition. The relaxed
networking event provided an excellent opportunity to connect with producers, industry stakeholders and fellow exhibitors while continuing conversations sparked throughout the day.
Day two commenced with official welcomes from Master of Ceremonies Pete Lewis and NTCA President Henry Burke before delegates heard addresses from Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins and Northern Territory Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries Gerard Maley.
One of the conference highlights was the presentation by Meat & Livestock Australia Managing Director Michael Crowley, who outlined the MLA Strategy to 2030. His presentation focused on aligning the national five-year strategic plan with northern production systems, strengthening biosecurity, improving market access and ensuring the Australian beef industry remains globally competitive.
Delegates also heard from leading economist Imants Kins, Rabobank's Jan Lambregts, McCrindle's Grant Dusting and a range of industry personal discussing business resilience, economic outlooks, emergency healthcare services for remote communities and practical approaches to improving beef business performance.
Additional demonstrations throughout the day showcased livestock management technologies, satellite monitoring of rangeland productivity and digital tools designed to assist producers in making more informed business decisions.
The NTCA Conference demonstrated why it is one of Australia's leading beef industry events. The conference brings together a large community of people from producers, researchers, commercial partners and policymakers. The event delivered practical information, innovative thinking and valuable networking opportunities for everyone involved in northern beef production.
For Brangus Australia, the conference provided an outstanding platform to showcase the breed and engage directly with northern producers seeking cattle capable of thriving under northern conditions. The opportunity to promote Brangus as the breed "For Any Country" was particularly valuable.
Brangus breeders looking to expand their networks or explore opportunities within Northern production systems, we strongly encouraged to attend the 2027 NTCA Conference, to be held in Alice Springs from 17 to 19 March 2027.
VOEWOOD VORTEX V708 (PP) GRAND & JUNIOR CHAMPION BULL ROMA FEATURE SHOW 2026 JUNIOR CHAMPION BULL- BRANGUS FUTURITY 2026
ROMA FEATURE SHOW GRAND & JUNIOR CHAMPION BULL [VORTEX V708]
JUNIOR CHAMPION FEMALE [VERA V676] RESERVE SENIOR CHAMPION FEMALE [UNREAL U559] 1ST BREEDER’S GROUP 1ST PAIR OF HEIFERS 1ST SIRE’S PROGENY 2ND PAIR OF BULLS 2026 FUTURITY
JUNIOR CHAMPION BULL [VORTEX V708] RESERVE JUNIOR CHAMPION HEIFER [VOGUE V683] 3RD & 4TH DAM’S PROGENY GROUP 2ND SIRE’S PROGENY GROUP 1ST PAIR OF HEIFERS 2ND PAIR OF BULLS 2ND LES FRANK MEMORIAL BREEDER’S GROUP
Vortex leaves competitors spinning while Unicorn takes the crown at Roma Feature Show
It was Voewood Vortex V708 (PP) exhibited by Edward and Kara Quinn and family, Voewood Brangus, Calliope, who claimed the Grand Champion Male title after being named the Junior Champion Male at the Roma Feature Show in May.
The Female Grand Champion was exhibited by the Dingle family’s Redline Cattle Co, Eidsvold, Redline Unicorn (PP), having graduated from the Senior female classes.
Judge Matt Welsh, Huntington Cattle Co, Taroom, conducted proceedings aptly assisted by Associate Judge and Brangus Youth Ambassador Abigail Johnson, Kiralee Brangus, Dululu.
With a showing of over 70 Brangus and Ultrablack exhibits from 11 exhibitors who travelled from three states, including New South Wales and South Australia, the Judges had both quantity and quality to select from.
The Senior and Grand Champion Female, Redline Unicorn (PP), was a three-and-ahalf-year-old daughter of Jateebee Nemo
(PP), out of Redline Rose (PP) (Chadwick Downs Red Pepper (PP)), exhibited with her second calf at foot, a six-month-old heifer calf by Redline Quickstep 9/044 (PP) (Chadwick Downs Red Pepper (PP)).
Voewood Vortex V708 (PP), the Junior and Grand Champion Male, was sired by the Roma Brangus Sale record holder, Gunnadoo Park Mate (PP), who sold in 2021 for $64,000.
The 17-month-old sire prospect was out of Voewood Nebraska (PP)(ET), a daughter of USA imported sire DCC MR Paladin 915U5 (P)(AI).
The sole exhibit of Henry Sinnamon’s Kulkyne Stud, Jackson, Kulkyne Written Legacy W31 (P), was awarded Calf Champion Female.
The eight-month-old Kulkyne Tacoma T28 (PP) daughter lived up to her name, claiming the Interbreed Calf Champion Female of the 2026 Roma Show and writing her own legacy.
Tim and Prue Flynn, Wildcard Brangus, Ridgelands, exhibited the Reserve Calf Champion Female, Wildcard Nardia 361 (PP)(AI), a 9-month-old daughter of Bonox Millionaire 1138 (PP) out of Wildcard Donna (P).
Voewood Vera V676 (PP), exhibited by the Quinn Family, was awarded the Junior Champion Female.
An 18-month-old daughter of Gunnadoo Park Mate (PP), out of Voewood Paris (P) (AI) (Voewood Law Firm (PP)(ET)).
Grand Champion Male, Voewood Vortex V708 (PP) with Judges Matt Welsh and Abigail Johnson, and exhibitor Edward Quinn
Brad and Vicki Hanson and family’s Hanson Cattle Co, Theodore, exhibited the Reserve Junior Champion Female, Bullakeana You Gorgeous Girl (PP).
The Palgrove Primemover P1135 (U)(PP) daughter out of Bullakeana NU Gorgeous (PP) was 18-months-old.
In the male section, The Lamb Family’s N Bar Brangus, Banana, exhibited the Calf Champion, N Bar Westbound (PP).
Sired by N Bar Ultimate (PP) (Bullakeana Taurus (P)), the 12-month-old was out of Yaraandoo Evermore Hope (S) (Bonox 999 (P)).
New South Wales exhibitors Weona Brangus, Leeville, exhibited the Reserve Calf Champion Male with their 14-monthold Weona Prince 4564 (PP), a Bonox 1441 (PP) son out of Weona Maggie (PP).
The Reserve Junior Champion Male was Bullakeana You The Man (U)(P) exhibited by Hanson Cattle Co, a 20-month-old Palgrove Primemover P1135 (U)(PP) son out of Yaraandoo T85 (PP).
The Dingle Family claimed both the Senior Champion titles, exhibiting Redline Valentine 24/317 (PP) to Senior Champion Male.
A 31-month-old son of Redline Otis 8/226 (PP) (Doonside Shiraz (P)) out of Redline 20/123 (P) (Doonside Beaver (P)).
Lazy S Kruger (P) the Calf Champion Male at the 2025 Taroom Feature Show returned to claim Reserve Senior Champion Bull for exhibitor Sue Fawcett, Lazy S Brangus, Condamine.
The Lazy S Diplomat (PP) son out of Lazy S Fiona 7th (P) was 25-months-old.
The successful Feature Show culminated in the group class section, where: Voewood Brangus took out the Breeders Group, Bullakeana Brangus rose to the top of the Pair of Bulls class, and Voewood Brangus exhibited the first place Pair of Heifers.
Voewood Brangus also claimed the Sires Progeny Group with three progeny of Gunnadoo Park Mate (PP), while, Bullakeana Brangus took out the Dams Progeny Group with two progeny of Yaraandoo T85 (PP).
Thank you to Roma Show Society for hosting the Feature Show and sponsors M1B Brangus, K5X Angus & Brangus, Glenoyra Brangus, Duarran Brangus, Bondfield Agriculture, Grant Daniel & Long, JK Cattle Company, and Bullakeana Brangus.
Grand Champion Female, Redline Unicorn (PP) with exhibitors Kris and Donna Dingle, and Judges Abigail Johnson and Matt Welsh
Redline Valentine 24/317 (PP)
Calf Champion Female, Kulkyne Written Legacy W31 (P)
Calf Champion Male, N Bar Westbound (PP)
Junior and Grand Champion Male, Voewood Vortex V708 (PP)
Junior Champion Female, Voewood Vera V676 (PP)
Senior and Grand Champion Female, Redline Unicorn (PP)
Vera tops BLING at $29,000
Article NATH O'SULLIVAN Image 5 STAR CREATIVE PROMOTIONS
A huge crowd of Brangus enthusiasts and interested onlookers were draw to CQLX’s AusStadium for the 4th Brangus Ladies Invitational Notable Genetics sale.
Eighteen vendors combined to offer 30 select females in the GDL-hosted sale, with an average price of $14,233 on the 100% clearance recorded, highlighting the demand for high-quality Brangus females.
The average represented a lift of $1,711 or a 14% increase on the 2025 fixture, albeit with seven more females sold.
New entrant into Brangus, Michael Thompson’s Munda Blacks, Gin Gin, WA, secured the top price female Earlwood Vera (PP) for $29,000.
Offered by Mick and Tanya Madden, Dauringa, the 18-month-old Vera was a Tannyfoil P79 (PP) daughter out of Earlwood 3624 (P) (Telemon Galen (P)).
Munda Blacks also secured stablemate Earlwood Violet (PP) for $26,000.
The 19-month-old Violet was a three-quarter sister to the top price female, sired by Tannyfoil P79 (PP) and out of Earlwood 3497 (P) (Telemon Galen (P)).
First-time vendor Henry Sinnamon, Kulkyne Brangus, Jackson, was rewarded with the second top price of $28,000 for his sole offering Kulkyne Written Legacy W31 (P).
The Calf Champion Female from the 2026 Roma Feature Show, the 9-month-old Written Legacy W31, was sired by Kulkyne Tacoma T28 (PP) out of Kulkyne Signature S16 (P)(AI) (Suhn’s Business Line 30D26 (PP)(ET)).
She was secured by the McKenzie Family of Arizona Brangus, Dingo, who have been strong supporters of the BLING sale over its four-year history.
Arizona Brangus purchased three females in total, averaging $17,833, including $14,000 for Bonox Miss Muffett B1737 (P) account Bruce and Leanne Woodard, Bonox Brangus, Taroom, and $11,500 for Sandy Banks Valentina (PP) account Shane and Angela Jackson, Sandy Banks Brangus, Tiaro.
Craig and Anna Radel, Tarcoola Beef, Langi Dawes, secured three females with an average of $17,333. Parting with a top of $21,000 for Bullakeana Your Sweet (PP) offered by Brad and Vicki Hanson, Bullakeana Brangus & Ultrablacks, Theodore.
Nampara Queen B W259 (U)(PP)(ET) offered by Stuart and Natlie Hann, Nampara Pastoral Co, Kingston SE, SA for $16000, and Lunar Vanessa V215 (PP) offered by Brad and Briony Comiskey, Lunar Brangus, Comet for $15,000 completed Tarcoola Beef’s trio.
Online buyer Michael Needham, Needco Pty Ltd, Townson, led the volume buyers securing nine females or 30% of the catalogue for an average of $12,333, paying to a top of $21,000 for Sunshine 193 (PP)(AI) offered by Jay Hampson, Sunshine Brangus Warialda Rail, NSW.
BREAKING THE RESULTS DOWN BY VENDOR
> > > > Earlwood Brangus achieved an average of $27,500 for two heifers.
Bullakeana Brangus & Ultrablacks averaged $20,500 for two heifers offered and sold.
Nampara Pastoral Co averaged $18,000 on their two heifers.
Also averaging $18,000 on two heifers was Sunshine Brangus.
Also securing Bonox Charity B1739 (PP) offered by Bruce and Leanne Woodard, Bonox Brangus, Taroom for $14,000.
With 100% of the proceeds from the red heifer donated to CapRescue by the Woodard family.
Top Price Heifer Earlwood Vera (PP)
Tim and Prue Fynn, Wildcard Brangus, Ridgelands, sold their single entry for $17,500.
John Collins, Yaraandoo Brangus, Gogango sold two heifers to average $13,500.
Bonox Brangus averaged $13,000 on their four heifers.
While, Lunar Brangus sold their three for a $12,000 average.
Ryan and Rachel Holzwart, Bauhinia Park Brangus, Emerald, averaged $11,500 on two heifers.
SALE SUMMARY
Sold 30 Average $14,233 Top $29,000 100%Clearance
14-17TH DECEMBER 2026
Theodore Sport & Rec Grounds, QLD
TRIPLE B COMMERCIAL
HERD ON SHOW AT ZONE 1 FIELD DAY
Triple B Brangus hosted the Zone 1 Field Day at their ‘Glendarra' property, south of Dingo, in April. Principals Lindsay and Fiona Barlow welcomed over 50 seedstock and commercial breeders to hear from the assembled Industry Speakers.
On display were a portion of the Triple B commercial cow herd, which runs at ‘Glendarra’ with calves at foot sired by Triple B sires.
Also on display were stud sires Earlwood Riki (PP) and Earlwood Cobbo (PP), both purchased at the 2024 Rockhampton Brangus Sale for $150,000 and $120,000 respectively, progeny of those two sires, and other bulls and heifers from the Triple B show team.
Opening proceedings, Lindsay Barlow, Triple B Brangus, gave the audience an overview of the Triple B program on both ‘Glendarra’ and neighbouring ‘Namoi’, including development work completed, carrying capacity, and supplementation.
‘Glendarra’ runs the Triple B commercial cow herd of 500 breeders. Lindsay discussed the supplementation program they use, consisting of both a wet molasses-based lick and a dry lick available to the cows year-round, including the progression of their supplementation program, and financial costings and return on investment.
Impressively, a 10% increase in pregnancy rate has been seen since implementing the supplementation program.
‘Namoi’ runs the replacements for both the stud and commercial herds, carrying 500 heifers (both weaners and maiden heifers). The same supplementation program has been implemented at ‘Namoi’, and the Barlow’s have experienced an increase in fertility and a particular benefit observed in the success of their annual Fixed Time AI program.
Article & Images NATH O’SULLIVAN
All the heifers retained for either the stud or commercial herds at Triple B come from the stud herd, are registered, and have a DNA profile. This has allowed the Barlow’s to retain and register a portion of bulls from the commercial herd, finding sires by DNA and, in most cases, matching them to a dam also.
To expand on the details of the ‘Gendarra’ supplementation program and important factors to consider when implementing a supplementation program were Barry Williams, Williams Stockfeeds, and Kai Blair, Blair Agri Partners.
Barry shared some insights from this 26 years of involvement with ‘Glendarra’, stretching three previous owners. Leaving attendees with some wisdom “it all comes back to the bank manager” and “cutting corners to save expense will catch up with you”.
Williams Stockfeeds' in-house nutritionist Kai Blair challenged the audience to think critically about where profit comes from in a cattle breeding enterprise and offered some considerations on management decisions relating to nutrition.
According to Kai, profit in cattle breeding enterprises comes from: reproduction, which drives income; growth, which drives turnover; and cost per kilogram produced, which determines margin.
“One extra pregnant cow pays for a lot of supplement”, he said.
Kai delved into the timing of supplementation in the annual production cycle and areas of nutrition to consider to drive both fertility and production.
Concluding with four take-home messages; nutrition drives performance, reproduction drives profit, small improvements scale fast, and you can’t outbreed a nutrition problem.
The final speaker was Ian McLean, Bush AgriBusiness, who highlighted insights into the attitudes and priorities of profitable beef businesses.
According to Bush AgriBusiness’ studies the thing that profitable beef business have in common is a focus on herd productivity, how effective the business is at converting grass into beef. Which according to Ian is the number one driver of profit in beef businesses.
He highlighted that; fertility drives herd productivity, herd productivity drives income, and income drives profit.
Ian’s key takeout was to look at top performers to learn what is possible. The top 25% of northern beef producers, manage 48% of herd and land area, and produce 53% of the beef produced. What they do differently, is they have more productive herds, better targeted herd expenditure, better labour efficiency, sufficient operating scale, and are curious for information.
Each of the industry speakers donated a lucky gate prize with the $1,000 Bull Credit for use at the Triple B Brangus 14th Annual ‘On Property’ Production Sale won by Vicki Hanson, the tonne of Yearling Developer Mix, donated by Williams Stock Feeds won by Margaret McCartney and the 12-month premium subscription to HerdFlow, donated by Bush AgriBusiness won by Dan Sedgman.
Feature: Triple B commercial herd run on ‘Glendarra’ Dingo, A: Steedstock and commercial producers alike gathered at Zone 1 Field Day hosted by Triple B Brangus, B: Kevin Lucke, Ironbark Brangus, Mount Larcom, and Edward Quinn, Voewood Brangus, Calliope
C: steedstock and commercial producers alike gathered at Zone 1 Field Day hosted by Triple B Brangus, D: Barry Williams, Williams Stockfeeds, E: Kia Blair, Blair Agri Partners, F: David Gnech, Milltop Brangus, Milbong, and John Bell, Inavale Brangus, Boonah, G: Triple B commercial herd run on ‘Glendarra’ Dingo, H: Melanie Holland, Wycarbah, and Ian McLean, Bush AgriBusiness, I: Ian McLean, Bush Agribusiness, J: Brent Woodard, Parkes Brangus, Dauringa, and Barry Williams, Williams Stockfeeds
C F H
Article & Images KB CONSULTING
KRAKEN DISPERSAL NETS A $821,200 RESULT
A three state buyers panel featured at July’s Kraken Brangus Dispersal Sale, Gympie.
The sale brings to a close a decade long involvement within the breed for principals Jason Jeynes and Julie Sheehan and their families.
Evident from the start was widespread online and physical support vindicating the breeding philosophies undertaken by the prefix. Culminating in a near complete clearance the catalogue involved breeding females, stud sires, young weaner heifers, maiden and joined heifers and genetic material for a gross total of $821,200. In all 42 buyers signed off on purchases.
In a breakdown of the offering three breeder units averaged $14,333 topping at $25,000 while 65 females averaged $6308 to a top of $22,000 on two occasions. Twenty maiden heifers sold to highs of $20,000 to set an average $5711 while 20 ‘W’ series weaner heifers sold to $18,000 to average $3050. A trio of sires averaged $9667 selling to $11,000 on two occasions. Embryos averaged $661 per egg to top at $2100 while semen averaged $348 to sell to a top of $2200 per straw.
At auction the solid market saw only a handful of lots not sell at auction. After sale activity witnessed a near total clearance of the catalogue. One principal feature was the demand for the genetic material that was offered toward the end of the sale. Collectively the two sections grossed $151,700 with much of the offering selling above current market values. The sale of the operations Donkey was another highlight with the fully trained female
fetching $18,000 selling to Mike Needham, NST Stud, Townson.
Top selling female was the 31-month-old, Kraken U Got The Look 002U11 (PP) making $25,000 and heading to a new home at Narganoo Stud, Gunnedah, New South Wales. Recently delivering a bull calf by B H Bindaree Stiff Upper Lip (PP) the Pheasant Creek S63 (P) (Yaraandoo Wylie (PP)) daughter was the only selection made by Mervyn and Dale Bailey and family, Narganoo Stud at the sale.
Major supporters of the sale were Munda Blacks, Gingin, Western Australia, Wattle Grove Stud, Oberon, New South Wales and Mike Needham, NST Stud, Townson. Between the three parties they secured 57 percent of the entire catalogue.
Dale and Belinda Humphries, Wattle Grove Stud, Oberon, New South Wales secured 13 females for on average $10,231. These included the equal top selling cow, the $22,000, Kraken Nutella 040S (P) (AI).
Wattle Grove also secured the top selling ‘W’ series heifer for $18,000 in Kraken Wildflower W334 (PP). Accompanying these females were the $16,000 Kraken Miss Sapphire II 007Q (P) (Lunar Lonestar L143 (P)) and the $14,000 10-year-old RNA Champion, Alkoomie Miss Foundation 541M (PP) (ET). The Wattle Grove acquisitions included two semen packages in QVF PR Empower 30G16 (PP) (ET) (US) and Suhn’s Affirmed 416N4 (PP) (US). Mike Thompson and Ben Wright, Munda Blacks picked up a huge parcel involving 29 genetic lots for
on average $3100 per parcel and pair of females for a $15,500 average. The Munda female investment included the equal top selling $22,000 female and RNA Champion, Kraken Rocky Road 002S2 (PP) (River Run 06 (PP)). The Munda Blacks haul of genetic material topped at $8400 ($2100/egg) for a four zygote package involving the US pairing of QVF PR Empower 30G16 (PP) (ET) and VF Ms Chill Factor 000D3 (U) (P). Mike Needham selected 18 lots. These included seven females for a $5536 average, topping at $10,000 for Kraken Miss Rocky 820P. Mike’s major investment was genetic material taking 11 packages. His purchases included four semen packages that averaged $390/straw topping at $650/ straw for the five straw parcel in KL Mr Commander 68E (PP) (US). His embryo packages averaged $2433/package or $695/zygote. His top purchase in this category was a pairing between Yenda Byron 1525 (P) and Sunnyside 1158 (P) of three embryos at $1100/zygote.
Topping the overall heifer section of the offering at $20,000 was Kraken Vanilla 040V215 (PP) selling to Ross and Heather Milner, Bushlands Stud, Lower Wonga.
Three sires set an average $9,667 to top at $11,000 on two occasions. B H Bindaree Stiff Upper Lip (PP) sold to BP Brangus, Springview, Mingela while Pheasant Creek Quilpie Q103 (PP) made the same figure and will relocate to Ian Francis, Cedar Valley Stud, Chelmsford. Carinya Park Sargeant 285 (PP) (AI) will take up duties
Vendors, Jason Jeynes and Julie Sheehan, Kraken Stud, Dalma
for Grant Gericke, Derarby, Mundubbera at a price of $7000.
Danielle Hynes, Stutzview Stud, Owanyilla invested $16,000 to secure the maiden Yaraandoo Wylie (PP) daughter Kraken Vodka 361V222 (PP). Losing bidder was the Voewood Stud, Calliope.
Raymond Cann, Chinchilla purchased 14 head for on average $4572. These topped at $7000. Traveston Stud, Traveston operated by Ashley Trompf and family, secured a line of seven females for on average $4715 which topped at $8000. Taking seven females for on average $4857 was the Wayne Bayliss and family, Glynvale, Miriam Vale. Banana district breeders, the Lamb family, N-Bar Stud purchased a trio for a $5667 average topping at $7000 for the sale opener, Kraken Dolly 011N (P) the grand dam of their Reserve Calf Champion Female from the recent Brangus Futurity, N-Bar Xactly Right. Ben and Sally Wilson, Samari Plains, Roma selected a sole entry, the $7000 Kraken Beth 710S (PP) while Greg and Alicia Magee, Beejay Stud, Capella signed off on three for a $5000 average topping at $7000. Edward and Kara Quinn, Voewood Stud, Calliope took a pair for a $7500 average topping at $9000 for the three-year-old Gunnadoo Park Penny (PP) (Gunnadoo Park Loveaboy 2469 (PP)). The Hansharlia Stud, Biarra owned by Troy Johnson took two females for on average $8000 topping at $10,000 for a rising three -year-old full US blood Suhn’s
Foundation 331Z28 (PP) (US) daughter along with a four straw semen package in B H Bindaree Stiff Upper Lip (PP) for $250 per straw. Peronne Station, Pentland operated by Nathan and Alison Turner took five females while Naomi Cooney, YabbaDo Stud, Kandanga picked up two females for a $5000 average. This result included reinvesting $8000 to secure her former ABCA Roma Sale graduate, Yabba-Do Uriel 13U15 (PP).
Liam Opperman, Tuckers, Gayndah took four females for a $5000 average to top at $7000.
Topping the semen packages at $2200/ straw was the four straw package in Palgrove Primemover P1135 (U) (PP) selling to the Hanson family, Bullakeana Stud, Theodore. Bullakeana also secured the parcel of Yaraandoo Wylie (PP) for $700/ straw and regained control of their former BLING Sale graduate, Bullakeana Versace (P) (Palgrove Primemover P1135 (U) (PP)) for $12,000. Ben King, Mt Pleasant secured five females for a $3100 average while four females went off to Anthony and Deborah Barbeler, Ben Wattle, Ginoondan for a $3500 average.
Agents: Elders. Simulcast on AuctionsPlus.
Kraken U Got The Look 002U11 the top selling $25,000 female & bull calf, with Julie Sheehan & Jason Jeynes, Kraken Stud, Dalma, purchasers, Mervyn & Dale Bailey, Narganoo Stud, Gunnedah and Anthony Ball, Elders Stud Stock
SALE TOTAL GROSS
3 SIRES
Top $11,000 (twice)
Average $9667 75%
3 COWS & CALVES
Top $25,000
Average $14,333
60 FEMALES
Top $22,000 (twice)
Average $6550 87
18 UNJOINED HEIFERS
Top $20,000
Average $5861
18 ‘W’ WEANER HEIFERS
Top $18,000 Average $3222
22 SEMEN PACKAGES
Top $2200/straw
Average $348/straw
$821,200 100 CLEARANCE %
33 EMBRYO PACKAGES
Top $ 2100/embryo
Average $661/embryo
Exclusive genetic offering hits new highs
Article NATH O'SULLIVAN Image SUPPLIED
GDL’s online-only genetic sale “In The Tank” set new highs for exclusive Brangus and Ultrablack genetic offerings.
Supported by six Brangus and Ultrablack vendors offering six semen packages and a nine-embryo packages, and a unique natural mating opportunity.
Even the huge highs of the 2025 sale that saw Tannyfoil P79 (PP) semen sell for $1,400 per unit were exceeded.
The first public offering of USA Semen Sire DMR Express 415J34 (PP)(AI) by Bondfield Agriculture and Smith’s Kyan Brangus, sold to a top of $1,600 per unit for a five-straw package, purchased by Mike Needham, Needco Pty Ltd, Townson.
Selected by David Bondfield and David Smith in 2022 during a tour of the USA, Express 415J34 is sired by BWCC Monument 10D7 (PP) out of MS DMR Beacon 415E133 (P) (Suhn’s Majestik Beacon 30C (PP)).
A second five-unit package in Express 415J34 sold for $1,400 per unit.
Needco also purchased the two embryo packages that sold for the top price of $2,200 per embryo, both four-embryo packages offered by Hewitt Agribusiness.
Both packages were out of donor dam Burenda Cathy R924 (PP) (AI) a daughter of Burenda Dealmaker P915 (PP)(AI).
The first was sired by Pheasant Creek Lewis L-007 (PP), while the second was sired by Lunar Uptake U290 who was purchased by Hewitt in 2025 for $65,000.
In total 60 units of semen offered in six packages of various sizes averaged $580 per unit, and 40 embryos offered in eight packages averaged $1,270 per embryo.
SALE SUMMARY
Sold 6 Semen Packages, 8 Embryo Packages
Avg Semen $580 /unit, Embryos $1,270 /embryo
Top Semen $1,600 /unit
Top Embryos $2,200 /embryo 88% CLEARANCE
ROCKYVIEW BRANGUS HOSTS
ZONE 2 FIELD DAY
Rockyview Brangus welcomed seedstock and commercial producers to their property, 'Rockyview', Aubigny, Queensland, for the Zone 2 Field Day, with attendees travelling from across South East Queensland and Northern New South Wales for a day focused on education and genetics.
The event was well supported and provided an excellent opportunity for producers to inspect the Rockyview Brangus herd while hearing from industry experts on key topics relevant to commercial and seedstock production.
Jason and Erin showcased an impressive line-up of young bulls being prepared for upcoming sales. Visitors had the opportunity to view a quality draft of commercial weaner heifers and an outstanding group of donor females, highlighting the stud's ongoing commitment to genetic improvement and performance.
The speaker session kicked off with Jason Weare of Farmercentric, who delivered an insightful presentation on cattle nutrition across the various life stages of both stud and commercial cattle. His presentation covered drought supplementation strategies, providing practical and timely information for producers managing cattle through challenging seasonal conditions.
A key takeaway from Jason's presentation was the importance of developing bulls that are fit for work through maintaining good rumen health. He emphasised that a high-forage, low-concentrate grain-based diet, combined with rotational feeding, encourages steady growth and the development of lean muscle rather than excessive fat cover. Jason stressed that allowing young bulls to become overweight will negatively impact their longevity, structural soundness and working ability.
Jason Weare works closely with Rockyview Brangus, providing nutritional advice for feeding and supplementation programs to ensure the stud's cattle are presented in peak condition for both stud duties and continued growth.
The second presentation was delivered by Rod Linke of Vytelle Australasia, who provided an engaging and informative overview of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) technology and the opportunities it offers seedstock producers. Rod discussed how IVF can accelerate genetic progress, increase the reproductive potential of elite females and provide greater flexibility
within breeding programs. Attendees gained valuable insight into the growing role of reproductive technologies and how these advancements can be successfully integrated into breeding operations.
Rod also emphasised the importance of understanding the reproductive history of recipient females when planning an embryo transfer program. Producers were encouraged to consider factors such as previous joining success, conception rates and calving ease, as these can significantly influence the likelihood of a successful pregnancy. He also highlighted the importance of ensuring recipient females are in peak condition, both visually and nutritionally, prior to embryo transfer to maximise implantation success.
Rod concluded by advising attendees that Vytelle is currently developing a diagnostic test designed to assess the readiness of recipient females before embryo transfer. The technology aims to provide producers with greater confidence in selecting suitable recipients and improve the overall success rates of IVF program.
Following the presentations, attendees were treated to a BBQ lunch and the opportunity to ask questions and further inspect the Rockyview cattle.
The success of the Zone 2 Field Day would not have been possible without the generosity of Jason Beckmann and Erin Dempsey. Their willingness to open the gates of their operation and showcase their breeding program provided visitors with a valuable opportunity to see the quality and direction of Rockyview firsthand. Combined with their outstanding hospitality, their passion for the Brangus breed and commitment to sharing knowledge made the day an enjoyable and highly educational experience for everyone in attendance.
A special thank you is also extended to Jason Weare of Farmercentric and Rod Linke of Vytelle Australasia for sharing their expertise and delivering presentations that were both practical and highly relevant.
Jason Beckman & Erin Dempsey Rockyview Brangus and their Donor Females
Jason Beckman
Rod Linke, Vytelle Australasia
Rockhampton Brangus Bull and Female Sale Celebrates 50 Years
Article CANDICE LIDDLE
This year marks a remarkable milestone for the Brangus as the Rockhampton Brangus Bull and Female Sale celebrates its 50th anniversary.
For five decades, the annual sale has showcased the very best of Australian Brangus cattle, providing a multi-vendor sale for outstanding cattle.
From humble beginnings in 1977 to becoming one of Australia's premier multi-vendor Brangus sales, the event has played a defining role in the development and success of the breed.
As we prepare to celebrate the 50th Rockhampton Brangus Bull and Female Sale this October, we take a look back at some of the defining moments, remarkable cattle and dedicated people who have helped shape the sale.
Above: Lionel De Landelles accepting the invitation to judge the inaugural 1977 sale. Right: Advertisment for inaugural 1977 sale.
1977 The First Rockhampton Brangus Bull and Female Sale
The year was 1977, a pivotal moment in the history of the Brangus breed in Australia. Recognising the need for Brangus cattle to establish their own identity, the Brangus Committee made the bold decision to break away from the Annual All Breeds Tropical Bull Sale in Rockhampton and conduct a dedicated Brangus Bull and Female Sale.
Earlier that year, a crucial meeting was held between the Brangus Committee with Alan Ferguson of Primac and Brian Fanning of Dalgety's. It was agreed that a minimum of 40 head would be required for the sale to proceed. Through the determination of the committee and the support of breeders, more than 60 bulls and several females were secured, comfortably exceeding the target.
The inaugural sale was conducted as a Show and Sale in October 1977, with respected cattleman Lionel De Landelles officiating as judge.
Despite difficult economic conditions within the cattle industry, the event represented a landmark achievement for the breed.
Sale prices reflected the challenging market of the time, with Jack Camm & Sons' bull Ellaroo topping the sale at $500, while the highest-priced female sold for $400.
The decision to establish a standalone Brangus sale laid the foundation for what would become one of Australia's most respected Brangus events. Nearly 50 years later, that vision continues to shape the future of the breed.
1990 Australian Bull Sale Record Set
The 1990 Rockhampton Brangus Bull and Female Sale marked another defining time in the breed's history, with a new Australian sale record capturing national attention.
Weona Cochisee, sold by Warren and Robyn Bulmer of Weona Stud, reached a ground breaking $21,000, setting a new Australian Brangus sale record. The outstanding bull was purchased by a Victorian syndicate represented by Grant Bryant, whose investment recognised the bull's exceptional pedigree and genetic potential.
Following the sale, Weona Cochisee entered the AI centre at Biloela, Queensland, where he played a significant role in advancing Brangus genetics across Australia. More than three decades later, his influence can still be found in many Australian Brangus pedigrees.
This historic sale not only demonstrated the growing commercial value of Brangus cattle but also highlighted the breed's exciting future.
Top Image: Coolabah Nero – Australian record-priced bull $22,000.
Bottom Image: Bruce and Barbara Burnham.
2001 Silver Jubilee Celebrations
The year 2001 marked the Silver Jubilee of the Rockhampton Brangus Bull and Female Sale, celebrating 25 years. The occasion also coincided with the 40th anniversary of the Australian Brangus Cattle Association, making it an especially significant year for the breed.
Celebrations commenced with the inaugural "Leading Ladies" female sale, where the quality of Brangus females was showcased. Barry and Pat Morgan of Riverview, Casino, New South Wales, sold their Beef 2000 Champion female, Riverview Jo, with her calf at foot, for $5,000 to Roy Parker of Marlroy, Gracemere.
History was again made in the bull ring when Paul and Denis Studt of Capella who sold Coolabah Nero for $22,000, passing the previous Australian record set by Weona Cochisee in 1990. The record-priced bull was purchased by Jim Maguire of "Bingegang", Dingo.
The Silver Jubilee celebrations also recognised the people who had helped build the breed. Bruce and Barbara Burnham were awarded Life Membership of the Australian Brangus Cattle Association by Lex Kunst in recognition of their outstanding dedication and contribution since the Association's formation.
Weona Cochisee, Australian record-priced bull, $21,000, Rockhampton Brangus Sale 1990
2022 Delivers a Record $4.65 Million Result
The 2022 Rockhampton Brangus Bull and Female Sale will long be remembered as one of the most successful sales in the event's history, establishing a host of new benchmarks across multiple categories.
The sale achieved a record gross of $4,651,600, while also setting new records for registered and commercial females.
A total of 179 bulls averaged $20,486 and sold to a top of $110,000.
The 2022 sale top price and new record holder was Lunar Rhodes, owned by Brad and Briony Comiskey of Lunar Stud, Emerald. The outstanding 27-month-old son of Telpara Hills Kenworth 392L (ET) sold for a then sale record of $110,000 to a Springsure syndicate comprising Annalee Godwin of Black Label Stud and Sid and Tricia Godwin of Tanderra.
The 43 registered females averaged $10,395 and topped at $45,000, while 213 commercial females averaged $2,520 and sold to a top of $6,000.
2024 Raises the Bar Again
Overall, the sale achieved a 99 per cent clearance of bulls and a complete clearance of females. Compared with the previous year, the average bull price increased by $5,850 per head, while clearance rates improved by seven per cent, reflecting the strong confidence buyers had in Brangus genetics.
By 2024, confidence had returned to the Australian cattle industry and Brangus cattle were once again making headlines.
The Rockhampton Brangus Bull and Female Sale set another new benchmark when Earlwood Riki sold for $150,000, setting a new sale record. Just moments earlier, fellow Earlwood sire Earlwood Cobbo had sold for $120,000, with both outstanding bulls purchased by Lindsay and Fiona Barlow of Triple B Brangus.
The 24-month-old Earlwood Riki, by Tannyfoil P79 from Earlwood 3949, became the highest-priced bull ever sold through the Rockhampton sale, further cementing the event's reputation as Australia's premier marketplace for Brangus genetics.
The 2024 sale offered 240 bulls, with 197 selling for an 82 per cent clearance, generating a gross of $2.643 million and an average of $13,416.
Lunar Rhodes, the $110,000 saletopper, with vendor Brad Comiskey (Lunar Stud) and purchasers Annalee Godwin (Black Label Stud) and Sid Godwin (Tanderra).
What Will 2026 Add to the History Books?
As the Rockhampton Brangus Bull and Female Sale celebrates its 50th anniversary, one question remains, what records will be written next?
The past decade has seen extraordinary growth in sale top prices, sale averages and overall sale grosses, reflecting the increasing demand for Brangus cattle across Australia.
With half a century of history behind the Rockhampton Brangus Sale it continues to strengthen its reputation for quality Brangus cattle year after year.
BRANGUS SNARE CHAMPIONSHIP DOUBLE AT WEANER FEEDER SALE
Article + Images KB CONSULTING
GRACEMERE WEANER & FEEDER SALE 2026
STAGE I
Gracemere Combined Agents saw a strong yarding come to hand for the 1st CQLX Weaner & feeder Sale for 2026 with a total of 5,925 head, consisting of 3,756 Steers, 2,087 Heifers and 82 bulls and mickies.
It was a mixed but generally good quality offering with the bestbred lines selling strongly, supported by local and outside buyers who gather each year.
Weaner steers in cross bred and euro pens made to 596c/kg on occasions, with the best-bred lots averaging 502c/kg to 585c/kg. Similarly bred weaner heifers reached a top of 434c/kg with the best pens averaging 380c to 428c/kg. Well bred Brahman heifers averaged close to the best of the crossbreds. EU accredited steers attracted extra attention from fatteners. Yearling steers reached a 585c/kg high to average 523c to 572c/kg for the best on offer.
Yearling Brahman steers averaged 470c to 511c/kg. Best-bred euro and British cross heifers sold to return averages from 414c to 447c/kg selling to backgrounders mostly. Feeder steers sold to average 452c to 503c/kg with Brahman feeder weights on the bottom of those averages. Feeder weight heifers were shared by restockers and feedlots to average 369c to 442c/kg.
Champion Pen Of Steers from Stage I was awarded to Nick and Mel Holland, Glenavon, Wycarbah.
Their pen of 18 EU Brangus weaner steers made 564.2c/kg and averaged 288kg, returning $1624/head. The champions and the entire line of 62 steers were purchased by Julian Laver, Laver Livestock & Property/Nutrien Ag Solutions Rockhampton for clients, Lachlan and Trudy Mace, Toorilla, Stanage. The draft averaged 258.79kgs selling to a high of 588.2c/kg to return an average $1499.20/head. Genetically the cattle were bred from sourced material from River Run, M1B, Tannyfoil and Triple B herds.
Champion Pen Of Heifers went to 14 heifers offered by the Schwarz Family Trust, Kensleigh, Duaringa. Selling for 446.2 c/kg and with an average weight of 282.14kg they came back at on average $1258.92/head. Purchasers of the championship pen was Hewitt Australia.
The Kime family, Amaroo, Nebo sold a line of 136 heifers. These sold in a range from 200c to 470.2c/kg to average 449c/kg. The line sold from $568/head to top at $1420.74/head to average out at $1192.30/head with an average weight of 265.39kg/head. By comparison the same vendor offered a pen of Charbray heifers that fetched 438.2c/kg and with an average weight of 301.92kg they made $1323.03/head.
Dunbar Pastoral, Glenlee sold Brangus cross feeder steers for 502c/kg weighing 480kg to return $2,412/head. Jeff and Margaret McCartney, Roselea, Baralaba sold their weaner steers for 550c/ kg weighing 288kg to return $1,585/head. Rodney and Paula Wright, Mt Ossa sold weaner steers for 550c/kg weighing 285kg to return $1,569/head. Terry Franks, Alton Downs returned selling EU steers for 584c/kg. Weighing 219kg on average they came back at $1,283/head. The Bruce family, Bruce Cattle Company, Calliope marketed EU steers for 596c/kg weighing 211kg to return $1,257/ head. The Cleary family, Bracewell offloaded heifers for 420c/kg weighing 320kg to return $1,345/head. NL and LM Ralph, Baralaba also sold heifers making 440c/kg and weighing on average 283kg they returned at $1,249/head.
Malvern Developments, Tungamull sold both sexes at the sale. Their 38 steers fetched in a range from 540.2c/kg to 570.2c/kg to
return between $1284.01 to $1471.83 to average $1402/head. Their 53 heifers weighing on average 228.67kg/head sold from 424.2c/ kg to 428.2c/kg to average $972.75.
James Pickles, Tooloombah Holdings, Marlborough sold 13 Brangus cross steers for 542.2c/kg averaging at 262.69kg/ head they made $1424.32/head. His Brahman steers of a similar weight sold for 534.2c/kg returning $1406.73/head. Tony and Jodi Besch, Bajool sold their Brangus cross steers for 530.2c/kg for a $1325.50/head return. Their Brangus heifers fetched 362.2c/kg and 416.2c/kg respectively, topping at $1040.50/head. Kyle and Stephanie Stanke, Alton Downs sold 240.71kg steers for 550.2c/kg to make $1324.41/head with an average weight of 240.71kg.
Terry Franks, Alton Downs sold 19 EU steers for 584.20c/kg and with an average weight of 220kgs they returned on average $1284/head. The Zlotowski family sold 32 steers for between 516.20c/kg to 534.2c/kg. Weighing between 209 to 255kg the two pens averaged $1202/head topping at $1318/head. The Turnbull family marketed 14 steers for 525.2c/kg to average $1060/head. Selling 15 head of steers was the Ralph family for 550.2c/kg for on average $1550/head. The Lancaster family sold a pen of 18 steers for 510c/kg, weighing 246.95kgs they made $1260/head. Tipperary sold 16 steers for 552.2c/kg to average $1462/head equating to an average weight of 265kgs.
STAGE II
Agents yarded 6092 head for the final CQLX Weaner & Feeder Sale in early July. Consisting of 3,512 steers, 2,512 heifers and 68 males and mickies.
Quotes indicated that feeder cattle remained firm, with a noticeable lack of weight across both steers and heifers. Weaner steers solidified significantly, with premiums being paid for strong European cross calves with weight. Weaner heifers strengthened significantly, with British and European types meeting strong competition from southern buyers.
Malvern Developments, Tungamull returned after Stage I to sell a further three pens (56 head). The entire line made 602.2c/kg and with an average weight of 230.62kgs they averaged $1388.83/ head. The top pen made $1457.32/head.
A: Champion Pen Of Steers, B: Champion Pen Of Heifers went to 14 heifers offered by the Schwarz Family Trust, Kensleigh, Duaringa. Selling for 446.2 c/kg and with an average weight of 282.14kg they came back at on average $1258.92/head. Pictured with the champions is selling agent, Gary Wendt, Ray White Livestock, Rockhampton, C: Champion Pen Of Steers were exhibited by Nick and Mel Holland, Glenavon, Wycarbah. The pen of 18 EU Brangus weaner steers made 564.2c/kg. Averaging 288kg they returned on average $1624/head. With the champions is booking agent, Morty Wilson, Wilson Livestock/Elders
BN & L Ralph, Baralaba sold weaner steers for 596c/kg weighing 304kg to return $1,817/head.
Yemeappo Pastoral, Yaamba sold their EU weaner steers with two pens making 618c/kg weighing 262kg to return $1,623/head. Troy and Jacqueline, Bloomsbury sold 22 EU Brangus weaner steers for on average 581.7c/kg weighing on average 227.50kgs to return $1,323.42/head. Their top pen sold for 588.2c/kg to return $1438.42c/head.
Barry and Heather Ross, Rossvale, Mt Larcom offloaded 43 steers and 31 heifers. The heifer portion sold in a range from 398.2c/kg to a high of 436.2c/kg to average 421c/kg. With an average weight of 244.77kg to line set an average of $1030.39/head. Their top pen sold for 436.2c/kg with a scale weight of 252.43kg to return at $1101.09/head. The Rossvale steers of which there were 43 head sold in a range between 356.2c/kg to 582.2c/kg to average 561.5ckg for an average return of $1548.44/head.
The top pen of 15 head made $1544.77/head weighing on average 265.33kgs.
Stuart Hoare, Chocolate Hills, Dingo sold 49 Brangus and Brangus cross heifers in a range from 280c/kg to a high of 396.2c/kg to average 356.5c/kg. With an average scale weight of 188.92kg to line set a $673.42 with the top pen fetching 396.2c/kg to average 212.86kg for $843.34/head. The majority of the 59 Brangus steers from Chocolate Hills fetched 568.2c/kg to average $1270/head. The top pen of 18 weighed on average 252.22kg and returned $1473.48/head.
Rodney Jensen, Ro-Chelle, Wowan sold a pen of 12 steers for 538.2c/kg with and average weight of 212.92kg for a $1145.92/ head average. A pair of heavier counterparts weighing 460kg made 335.5c/kg to sell for $1543.30/head. Dave and Marina Young and family, Donside, Wowan sold 23 steers with an average weight of 226.3kg for on average $1309/head setting average of 578.2c/kg. The top pen realized $1394.91/head with a scale weight of 241.25kgs. Their nine heifers all sold for 396.2c/kg and with an average weight of 223.55kg they sold for $885.73/head on average topping at $911.26/head.
Donald McCartney, Sandys Creek, Barmoya sold 15 steers for 590.2c/kg with average weight of 218.67kg for on average $1290.57/head. His top heifers were 11 weighing on average 362.27kg and selling for 434.2c/kg to return $1572.99/head. Ron Milne and family, Woodbury sold two pens (18 head) for rates of 546.2c/kg to 586.2c/kg with the lighter steers making on average $1396.22/head and their heavier counterparts fetching $1673.71/ head. The Jones family, Morinish sold 25 steers in a range from 400.0c/kg to a top of 540.2c/kg. Their top pen weighed 369.55kgs and sold for 476.2c/kg to sell for on average $1759.78. The line set an average $1669/head with an average weight of 332.08kgs.
The Borg family, Koumala sold 10 steers for on average $1652/head or 594.2c/kg with an average weight of 278kgs. Calliope based Bode family sold three pens (27 head) of steers in a range from 550.2c/k to 564.20c/kg. These topped at a pen of nine selling for 564.2c/kg to come back at $1312/head.
Watermark Pastoral, Nine Mile sold 23 steers for 540.2c/kg for on average $949/head while Retreat Grazing, Wycarbah sold seven steers for 502.2c/kg for a per head average of $1578. Terry Franks, Alton Downs returned selling a further 13 EU steers for 558.2c/kg
for on average $1088.50/head with an average weight of 303kgs. The McDonald family, Gregory River outside Bundaberg sold eight liveweight steers (average weight 195kg) for on average $949.72/ head in a range from 482.2c/kg to 490.2c/kg.
The Bella family, Nebar, Castle Creek sold four pens of Brangus and Brangus composites totalling 35 head for on average 543.2c/ kg with an average weight of 312.69kg the line averaged $1698.63/ head. Their top pen of Brangus steers weighed on average 406.4kgs sold for 498.2c/kg to retail at $2024.68/head. The Nebar steers sold in a range from 470.2c/kg to a high of 580.2c/kg.
Brett Hall, Valli View, Kuttabul sold 21 heifers and 42 steer counterparts. The heifers averaged 366c/kg with an average scale weight of 224.69kgs they set a $739.75 average. Top pen sold for 370c/kg weighing 219.22kgs for a $811.12/head average. The steer section sold in a range from 554.2c/kg to highs of 578.2c/kg. That particular pen weighed 250.71kgs and came back at $1449.63/head. In comparison the Hall Charbray steers sold for 420.2c/kg weighing 225.83kgs they sold for $948.95.
Sean Cannon, Cannon Cattle, Briarwood, Bororen sold 10 composite heifers and 25 Brangus steers. The steers averaged 478.8c/kg with an average weight 253.2kgs to set an average $1212.43/head. The top sellers were 14 making 474.2c/kg with a weight of 277.14kgs to realize $1314.21/head. The heifers made 300c/kg and 372.2c/kg respectively and topped at $1063/head.
Edward Bella, Oben Park, Nebo sold 16 steers for 568.2c/kg with an average weight of 245.31kgs to sell for on average $1393.87/ head. Jeff and Margaret McCartney, Roselea, Baralaba sold 20 steers for on average 541.1c/kg for on average $1559.62/head. Their top pen fetched 512.2c/kg and weighed 316.5kgs for a $1621.11/head average.
Kaye Black, Sandringham Plains, Sandringham 26 Brangus composite steers for a 613.9c/kg average. Averaging 245.96kgs the two pens averaged $1509.99/head topping at $1622.62/head.
Long Island Farm Enterprise, Briarwood, Bororen sold 18 heifers for on average 344.7c/kg and with an average weight of 224.17kgs the two pens averaged $772.81/head. The same operation sold nine steers to average $1178/head with an average scale weight of 259kgs. Oakes Grazing Biloela sold their 21 Brangus composite steers for 528.2c/kg. With an average weight of 228.57kg they sold for on average $1207/head.
Brangus perform On Feed at CQCC
Article NATH O'SULLIVAN Image KB CONSULTING
The results of the Central Queensland Carcase Classic once again highlight that Brangus cattle perform in real-world conditions.
One of the most coveted classes of the Central Queensland Carcase Competition is the Feed On class, considering performance both in the feedlot and on the rail.
Pens of five steers are fed at Barmount Feedlot, Marlborough, QLD for 102 days with weight-gain and carcase scores from the three highest individuals contributing to the final team score.
Brad and Briony Comiskey, Lunar Brangus and Ultrablack, Emerald, scoped the pool of the Feed On class again in 2026, winning the class for the third year in a row.
The Comiskey’s also claimed both third and fourth with pens of Brangus steers.
Fellow Brangus breeders and exhibitors, the Fernie Family, Boombah Brangus, Dingo, claimed second in the Feed On class.
Lunar Brangus and Ultrablack had the Champion Feed On Steer, a steer from their third-placed pen.
A member of their first-placed pen claimed the Highest Individual Weight Gain at 2.88kg/day across the 102-day feeding period.
They also claimed the Largest Eye Muscle of the competition title with another steer from their first-placed pen at 103cm2.
The Lamb Family, Parraweena Cattle Co, Banana exhibited the most even pen. A pen of Brangus Grassfed Steers in the 300-420kg Carcase Weight class, with a variance of just 4kg across the pen of three steers.
Lawson and Bonni Geddes, Couti-Outi Brangus, Stanage placed fourth with a Brangus Grassfed Steer in the 300-420kg Carcase Weight class.
Lunar placed third with a Brangus Grainfed Steer in the 300-420kg Carcase Weight class.
In the led steer competition Brangus Steers were placed fourth, fifth, and sixth when judged on the Hoof at Rockhampton Junior Beef, Phil Goodwin exhibiting fourth-placed
Brad and Briony Comiskey, Lunar Brangus and Ultrablacks, Emerald
“Baxter” and sixth-placed “Puddin”, and Nev and Megan Hansen, Oaklands Brangus, exhibiting fifth-placed “Chico”.
While, on the Hook, Beau and Renae Surawski, placed second with a Charolais Brangus cross steer “Walsh”, Rockhampton State High School placed
fourth with an Ultrablack Steer “Sherbie”, and the Schneider family placed fifth with a Brangus Steer “Whiskey”.
“Walsh” exhibited by Beau and Renae Surawski claiming the Led Steer Hoof/Hook Aggregate Champion Steer.
MONDAY 12 TUESDAY 13 OCTOBER 2026
CQLX GRACEMERE
Ultrablack Bulls average $10,750 at Black Stump
Article NATH O'SULLIVAN Image FIVE STAR CREATIVE PROMOTIONS
A small offering of Ultrablack bulls account Matt and Shannon Sowden, Sowden Cattle Co, Booie, were included in the all-breeds catalogue of the Black Stump Bull Sale held at Blackall Saleyards in March.
The four bulls offered sold for a 100% clearance and an average of $10,750.
With a top price of $13,000 paid for Sowden Verdict (P)(ET) an 18-month-old son of Bonox Regret 1251 (PP) out of Angus donor dam Premier Y301 Dream K12, who old to Ravenscourt, Charleville.
The other three bulls sired by USA Brangus semen sires Suhn’s Business Line 30D26 (PP)(ET) and Hollywood of Salacoa 23A53 (PP) and out of Angus donor dam Premier Wilcoola K16 each sold for $10,000.
In total the Black Stump Bull Sale saw 110 bulls of the 111 offered sell for a 99% clearance and an average of $10,555.
Top Price Ultrablack Bull Sowden Verdict (P)(ET) Sold 4 Avgerage
Ultrablack Tops Richmond Bull Sale
Article NATH O'SULLIVAN Image BARRONESSA
A reduced offering of four Ultrablack and Brangus Bulls account the Strazzeri Family of Barronessa Farming, Atherton were again included in the Richmond Field Day’s All-Breeds Bull Sale in June.
As has become a common occurrence the Ultrablack and Brangus bulls met strong demand, resulting in them topping the sale.
The sale topper was Barronessa Outlaw 607V92 (U)(PP)(IVF), a 21-month-old son of USA Angus semen sire S A V Jesse James 0968 out of USA donor dam LM Ms Beacon 607H4 (P)(AI).
Outlaw 607V92 sold for $17,000 to the Jonsson Family, ‘Charlie Creek’, Prairie.
The Jonsson family also secured Barronessa Hitman 450V75 (PP)(AI) a 21-month-old son of CB Masterpiece 2051F (U)(PP)(ET) for $16,000.
The McClymont Family of Basalt Grazing, Hughenden, also paid $16,000 for their pick of Ultrablack/Brangus bulls in Barronessa Bandit 889V110 (U)(PP)(IVF) a 19-month-old MC Blue Blood 129H18 (U)(P) son.
The four Ultrablack and Brangus bulls offered and sold for a average of $15,250.
In total 30 bulls were offered and sold for a 100% clearance and a $9,633 average.
SALE SUMMARY
Sold 4 Top $ 17,000 Average $15,250 %
Return Buyer Purchases
Top Bull at Kempsey
A small selection of registered Brangus Bulls and females were offered at the Kempsey Stock and Land Angus Brangus Sale in July.
A top price of $10,000 was achieved twice in the Bull catalogue for Angus bull Four O Eight Umpire U37, and Brangus bull Inavale 1412 (PP).
The 34-month-old son of Inavale 1155 (P) out of Inavale 1140 (P) (Inavale 699 (PP)) sold to long-term supporter of the Inavale
SALE SUMMARY
program and return buyer Ray Sellings, Macksville.
In total, three of the five Brangus bulls sold for an average of $7,333.
Mr Sellings was also active in the registered female catalogue, purchasing
three Brangus females, including the $3,500 top price Brangus female Inavale 1488 (P), a 13-month-old daughter of Lunar Malikye (PP).
The six Brangus females offered sold for an average of $3,208.
Top Price Ultrablack/Brangus Bull Barronessa Outlaw 607V92 (U)(PP)(IVF)
The 2026 Sarina Combined Agents Battle of the Breeds Competition was held at the Sarina Saleyards on Friday, 29 May, attracting an outstanding yarding of 1,400 head of cattle.
The event featured 945 steers and 455 heifers representing a diverse range of beef breeds from across the region.
The event is as one of Queensland's premier commercial cattle competitions, the Battle of the Breeds provides producers with an excellent opportunity to showcase the quality, performance and marketability of their cattle while highlighting the strength of their breeding programs. This year's impressive yarding, combined with the exceptional standard of cattle presented, made for a highly competitive judging and sale.
Brangus breeders once again demonstrated the commercial performance and consistency of the breed, achieving outstanding results across a number classes.
In the weaner steer competition, the Williams family of Interloch Pty Ltd of Clairview Station claimed first place with an exceptional line of Brangus steers, while Woonon Grazing, Armstron Beach secured second place.
The weaner heifer section also proved to be a strong showcase for Brangus females, with G & H Cox Trading Pty Ltd taking first place with a very tidy line of Brangus heifers and Interloch taking second place with their pen of heifers.
Moorvale Pastoral Co, Coppabella enjoyed an outstanding day in the judging ring, earning the Overall Champion Pen of Feeder Heifers/Breeders title along with the Reserve Champion Pen of the Sale.
The Overall Grand Champion Pen was awarded to a draft of 11 Charolais/ Droughtmaster-cross steers exhibited and sold by the Symonds family of Mt Flora Cattle Co, Nebo.
The sale also produced excellent results, with steers averaging $1,305 and reaching a top price of $2,010. Heifers averaged $1,085 and sold to a top of $2,080.
Auction Highlights
Interloch Pty Ltd, 'Clairview Station', Clairview sold Brangus weaner steers to $1,410 and Brangus weaner heifers to $1,010.
Balnagowan Park, Balnagowan sold VGQ Brangus weaner steers for $1,500.
Moorvale Pastoral Co, Coppabella sold PTIC maiden Brangus heifers to average $2,050.
J & B Farren Price, Yalboro sold VGQ Brangus weaner steers for $1,570.
Tolsworth Hay & Grazing, Nebo sold VGQ Brangus weaner steers for $1,420.
D & M Vella, 'Lizard Creek Ag', Yalboro sold VGQ Brangus weaner steers for $1,400.
D.M. Black, 'Paradise Valley', Yalboro sold VGQ Brangus weaner heifers for $930.
Elders Mackay livestock agent and auctioneer Tristan Bartley said “The record yarding reflected the continued growth and popularity of the event’’.
"Probably some of the best cattle we've seen come through these yards to date. It's a real credit to all the vendors that presented their cattle so well."
Congratulations to all Brangus exhibitors and vendors who participated in this year's Sarina Battle of the Breeds. The results are a testament to the Brangus breed showcasing the adaptability and commercial value of Brangus cattle in the area.
BELVIEW BRANGUS BULL 100% CLEARANCE
The fourth annual Belview Brangus Bull sale drew a large crowd from across central and northern NSW and Queensland with a quality line up of 53 bulls offered by the Jorgensen Family.
The 2026 sale seen strong support from repeat buyers and great line up of new bidders in person and online. To add excitement to the event the Belview Farm welcomed much needed rain at the completion of the sale.
At Auction, 53 bulls sold for an average of $8,283 and an achievement of 100% clearance.
Across the catalogue, 45 rising two-yearold bulls sold to a sale top of $18,000 achieved twice and averaged $8,190, while seven yearling bulls sold to $9,000 to average $7,430.
First bull to reach the sale top of $18,000 was LOT 10 Belview Voice Of Reason V234 (PP), sired by Belview Spectrum S034 out of Belview Varino J144. Belview Voice Of Reason V234 (PP), was secured by firsttime buyer Scott Grummitt, purchasing under SR Grummitt and EM Smyth, Warwick, Queensland. The 22-monthold bull weighed in at 770 kilograms, and measured 124cm2 EMA and carried 13mm and 8mm of fat over scan sites.
Mr Grummitt said he was searching for an easy-doing bull that had performed from an early age, combined softness, balanced figures and natural fat cover.
Belview stud principal Trevor Jorgensen had recommended Belview Voice Of Reason V234 (PP) along with some other bulls that met Mr Grummitt’s requirements and key traits he was targeting.
Mr Grummitt said upon inspection of the bull, he knew Belview Voice Of Reason V234 (PP) was the one he needed for his operation.
Mr Grummitt operates an organic farming enterprise at Augathella, Queensland, which primarily runs Brangus cows with a focus on producing cattle that meet target kill weights for the organic market.
Second bull to reach the sale top of $18,000 was LOT 52 Belview Validation V152 (PP) son of Belview Tailor made T006 (PP) (ET) out of Belview Ruby R067 (PP). This outstanding 22-month-old bull was secured by online buyer Consolidated Pastoral Company, through StockLive. Belview Validation V152 (PP) weighed in at 706kg, and measured 116cm2 EMA and carried 10mm and 6mm of fat.
Belview presented a quality line up of eight yearling bulls reaching $9,000 three times. LOT 29 Belview Western Force W012 (U) (PP) (ET) Son of Baldridge SR Goalkeeper (PP) out of Belview Nicola Q070 (PP) (ET) purchased by StockLive Dingo, LOT 31 Belview Walker W011 (U) (PP) (AI) Son of Baldridge SR Goalkeeper (PP) out of Belview Q089 (PP) purchased by TJ & FE Ludgate and LOT 37 Belview Warrego
W014 (PP) Son of Belview T084 (PP) (AI) out of Belview Fe M065 (P) purchased by StockLive Dingo
Online bidding through StockLive was very strong and active throughout the sale, Top volume buyer was Top X, Cloncurry, Qld, purchasing eight bulls to top at $7000 on two occasions and average $6250.
The leading on-property volume buyer, and a valued repeat client, was Ram Station, Dungog, New South Wales, who secured six bulls, topping at $9,000 on four occasions and averaging $8,166.
New buyer Sam Maroulis, Nunyard Pty Ltd, Dubbo, New South Wales, was another significant volume purchaser, securing four bulls to a top of $7,000 on two occasions and averaging $6,500.
In closing the sale, Belview stud principal Colleen Jorgensen thanked clients, family and friends for their ongoing support of the Belview Brangus program, acknowledging the many valued relationships and friendships built over the years.
$18,000
Mrs Jorgensen also took the opportunity to wish daughter Emily Roberts and her husband Nathan every success as they assume ownership of the Belview Brangus stud. She said she looked forward to supporting the next generation as they continue to develop the operation and shape its future.
Trevor Jorgensen reflected that the transition would also provide an opportunity for he and Colleen to enjoy more travel and spend time pursuing interests beyond the demands of stud life.
Incoming stud principal Emily Roberts said she was delighted with the 100 per cent clearance and the strong support shown by both long-standing clients and first-time purchasers.
Mrs Roberts expressed her sincere appreciation to loyal clients for their continued confidence in the Belview breeding program and welcomed new buyers, thanking them for the faith they had placed in Belview genetics.
She said it was particularly pleasing to see buyers represented across central and northern New South Wales as well as Queensland, reflecting the growing reach of the Belview Brangus program. Mrs Roberts added that purchasers had secured quality genetics backed by performance, structural integrity and strong commercial value.
The auction was conducted by APL Tenterfield with auctioneer Blake O'Reill and APL Guyra & Armidale taking bids, alongside the online platform StockLive.
B: Mark Carter and Sam Maroulis, Nunyard Pty, Ltd, Dubbo and Trevor Jorgensen; A: Scott Grummitt, who was purchasing on behalf of SR Grummitt and EM Smyth, Warwick, Queensland with Trevor Jorgensen and the equal top price bull, lot 10, Belview Voice of Reason V234 (PP)
FRIDAY 4 SEPTEMBER 2026
ROMA SALEYARDS
We would like to extend our gratitude to all those that joined us in the lead up to and on our sale day this year.
Thankyou to all the purchasers and underbidders, to those who got bulls, we wish you well with them.
We are excited to be sending these sale toppers into new herds and look forward to hearing how they perform.
A large proportion of the catalogue are heading to valued returning clients and we appreciate that you return each year with confidence.
Across vast areas of NSW and QLD they go, sincere thanks to all who helped in making our 2026 sale a great success.
Inaugural Gympie Female Sale Success
The Inaugural Elders Gympie Female Sale will be noted as a success, with both registered and commercial females selling well to a strong buying panel, supported by online activity through AuctionsPlus.
In the registered female catalogue, 11 vendors from across the South-East, Wide Bay-Burnett, and Central Queensland districts collectively offered 37 females ranging from weaner heifers to cows PTIC with their second calf.
Thirty of those registered females were purchased by buyers from across Queensland and into New South Wales, at an average of $4,467.
The top price at the inaugural sale was $16,000 for Sandy Banks Victoria (PP) offered by Shane and Angela Jackson and family, Sandy Banks Brangus, Tiaro, and purchased by Matt and Stacey Wordsworth of Wordsworth Cattle Co, Lower Wonga.
The 20-month-old Triple B Revolver R291 (PP) daughter was out of Stutzview 107 (P) (Bindaree 092 (PP)), sold unjoined and ready to mate to the purchaser's choice of bull.
The sole offering of Peter and Sara Williamson, Willbra Brangus, Goomboorian, Willbra Wynter (PP), sold for the second top price of $7,500.
A 12-month-old daughter of Kajarabie S96 (PP) out of Altona Fraulein 755 (P) was purchased via AuctionsPlus by Mike Needham, Needco Pty Ltd, Townson.
Strong supporter of the sale, Needco purchased eight females in total for an average of $3,563.
Mark and Lynda Bauer, Elara Brangus, Laidley, sold a 10-month-old heifer, Elara Tracey 6th (PP), for $6,000.
The Triple B Todd T130 (PP)(AI) daughter out of Elara Tracey (P) (Elara Officer (PP)) was secured by Edward and Kara Quinn, Voewood Brangus, Calliope.
Other volume buyers, the Humpheries family of Wattle Grove Brangus, Nundle, NSW, secured eight females for an average of $4,375, paying to a top of $5,500 for Sandy Banks Vienna (PP) offered by Shane and Angela Jackson.
The commercial female catalogue was strongly supported by both vendors and buyers a like.
Top Image: Vendors and Purchasers; Shane, Angela and McKinlay Jackson, Sandy Banks Brangus with Wilhelmina, Stacey, and Matt Wordsworth, Wordsworth Cattle Co, Lower Wonga; Bottom Image: Sandy Banks 325 - Top Price Female Sandy Banks Victoria (PP)
Twelve vendors consigned a total of 171 commercial females, which sold to a strong buying gallery to record a 100% clearance and average $1,929.
In the breakdown, 42 joined heifers averaged $2,660, 62 unjoined No.5 heifers averaged $1848, and 67 weaned No.6 heifers averaged $1552.
The Hynes and Jackson families of Stuzview Brangus, Owanyilla, sold a pen of five weaned No.6 heifers for the top price of $4,100 per head, purchased by Cody Chapman of CLC Brangus, Woodend, Victoria.
CLC Brangus also purchased a pen of 8 weaned No.6 heifers account Sandy Banks Brangus for $2,500 per head.
Ian and Virginia Francis, Cedar Valley Brangus, Chelmsford, sold four PTIC heifers for $3,050 per head.
Jake Berghofer and Emma Patterson of Bonnydale Brangus, Moffatdale, sold a pen of eight PTIC heifers for $2,900 per head.
While, Neville & Lyndall Ensbey, Kandanga, sold 10 unjoined No.5 heifers for $2,150 per head.
Not to be outdone, other Kandanga local Naomi Cooney, Yabba-do Brangus, also sold unjoined No.5 heifers for $2,150 per head, for a pen of five.
Article NATH O’SULLIVAN Images FIVE STAR CREATIVE PROMOTIONS + NATH O'SULLIVAN
Helical Transition
Article NATH O’SULLIVAN
The Board recently announced our transition of Registry and DNA Database software to Helical a New Zealand Company awarded for its Innovation and Technology.
Importantly, Helical provide a robust, modern, and cloud-based platform that will bring our Registry and DNA Database Software into the modern era.
The decision to transition the Associations Registry and DNA Database’s to a new provider came following a review of Registry Software Providers. This decision is not taken lightly.
The Association has utilised ABRI’s International Livestock Registry software for a long period of time. This software has served its purpose. However, there are now alternatives that operate on
modern infrastructure, providing greater capabilities and flexibility.
Helical also provide Genetic Evaluation Software and are the technology behind the IGS and Amercian Hereford genetic evaluations, however, the Board has committed to the Brangus evaluation being ran by BREEDPLAN for the foreseeable future.
Helical is a rapidly growing business, already providing Registry and DNA Database software for the Australian Wagyu Association and New Zealand Angus and Hereford, and there are a
number of Breed Associations from around the world including UK, USA and Australia in the process of transitioning to Helical.
We anticipate our transition will be completed by January 2027, there will be a few stages to the migration.
The first change for members will be DNA ordering and reporting to be through the Helical Member Portal, before further migration, all of which will be communicated to members in time.
Visit BRANGUS AUSTRALIA at BEEF2027 Site O55-56
21ST AUGUST ‘GLEN WILGA’, CHINCHILLA 10-2PM
ANNUAL BULL SALE
New Days to Calving EBV to Enhance Female Fertility Selection in Brangus Cattle
Anticipated for Release in October 2026
The Agricultural Business Research Institute (ABRI) is pleased to announce the anticipated release of a Days to Calving (DTC) Estimated Breeding Value (EBV) for Brangus Australia as part of the October 2026 Brangus Single-Step BREEDPLAN evaluation.
The DTC EBV represents a significant advancement in the genetic evaluation of female fertility within the Australian Brangus population and will provide breeders with an important tool for identifying and selecting genetics that contribute to improved reproductive performance. Its implementation has been made possible through extensive development work undertaken by the Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit (AGBU), together with the increasing availability of fertility data submitted by Brangus Australia members.
Female fertility is one of the most economically important traits in beef production, influencing the number of calves produced throughout a cow's lifetime and having a direct impact on herd productivity and profitability. Cows that conceive earlier in the joining period, typically produce older, heavier calves at weaning and contribute to more compact and efficient calving patterns across the herd.
“The upcoming release of the DTC EBV marks a significant milestone for Brangus Australia and is an exciting development for breeders,” said Nicky Turner, BREEDPLAN Manager at ABRI. “For the first time, Brangus breeders will have access to a direct genetic measure of female fertility through the DTC EBV, supporting more informed selection decisions and driving long-term improvements in reproductive performance and profitability.”
UNDERSTANDING THE DAYS TO CALVING EBV
The DTC EBV estimates genetic differences between animals for female fertility based on the time taken for females exposed for joining to subsequently calve. Animals with more favourable (lower) DTC EBVs are expected to produce daughters that conceive earlier and calve sooner within a joining period than daughters of animals with less favourable (higher) DTC EBVs.
MORE INFORMATION ON THE DTC EBV
For the first time, Brangus breeders will have access to a direct genetic measure of female fertility through the DTC EBV
- Nicky Turner, BREEDPLAN Manager, ABRI
While fertility has long been recognised as a key profit driver in beef enterprises, it has historically been one of the most challenging traits to evaluate genetically due to the significant influence of management, nutrition and seasonal conditions. The increasing availability of reproductive performance data collected by Brangus Australia members has now enabled the development of a DTC EBV specifically for the Brangus breed.
More information on the DTC EBV can be found in the Understanding Days to Calving EBVs tip sheet here:
DAYS TO CALVING (DTC) EBV GETTING READY FOR OCTOBER 2026
The Days to Calving (DTC) EBV is anticipated to be released in the October 2026 Single-Step BREEDPLAN evaluation for Brangus Australia.
What Do I Need to Record?
RECORDING FEMALE FERTILITY INFORMATION
The accuracy and long-term value of the DTC EBV will depend heavily on the volume and quality of fertility information recorded and submitted by breeders.
“While fertility information from multiple Brangus herds has contributed to the development of the DTC EBV, the majority of the data underpinning the evaluation has come from a single herd,” said Catriona Millen, Extension Team Leader at ABRI. “We encourage all Brangus breeders to submit both current and historic fertility records to help strengthen the DTC EBV and maximise its benefit to breeders across the entire Brangus population.”
Brangus breeders are encouraged to record and submit the following female fertility information to BREEDPLAN:
Information on all joinings that females are exposed to during the breeding season, including bull in and bull out dates and the ident of the bull joined to (multi-sire joinings can be accommodated).
DTC Disposal Codes for any female that is joined but leaves the herd prior to subsequent calving.
In addition, breeders should ensure that all resulting calves, whether born alive or dead, are recorded with Brangus Australia.
Historic fertility records can also make a significant contribution to the evaluation. Many Brangus breeders have years of reproductive information stored within herd recording software, spreadsheets and farm records that can be submitted and incorporated into the Brangus BREEDPLAN evaluation.
BULL IN DATE
BULL OUT DATE
AI JOINING DETAILS (WHERE APPLICABLE)
RECORD ALL CALVES WITH BRANGUS AUSTRALIA whether born dead or alive
RECORD AN APPROPRIATE DTC DISPOSAL CODE for any female that leaves the herd between joining and subsequent calving
HOW DO I SUBMIT DATA?
OPTION 1
BREEDPLAN EXCEL TEMPLATE
OPTION 2
HERD RECORDING SOFTWARE
BREEDPLAN Excel templates are available via the Help Centre on the BREEDPLAN website
HISTORICAL DATA MATTERS
HISTORICAL FERTILITY RECORDS CAN ALSO BE SUBMITTED TO BREEDPLAN
Tip: Start with your most recent calving drops and work backwards through older records.
NEED MORE INFORMATION?
RECORDING DAYS TO CALVING INFORMATION TIP SHEET
CONTACT THE BREEDPLAN TEAM AT ABRI FOR ASSISTANCE
1. JOINING INFORMATION
2. EVERY CALF BORN
FEMALES LEAVING THE HERD
We encourage all Brangus breeders to submit both current and historic fertility records to help strengthen the DTC EBV and maximise its benefit to breeders across the entire Brangus population.
- Catriona Millen, Extension Team Leader, ABRI
When submitting historic data, breeders should aim to enter records for their most recent calving drops first and then progressively work backwards through older records. This approach will maximise the immediate value of the information and support its inclusion in upcoming evaluations.
Members seeking further information on recording and submitting female fertility data should first read the Recording Days to Calving Information tip sheet here:
Those with additional questions are encouraged to contact the BREEDPLAN team at ABRI.
BUILDING TOWARDS A BROADER FERTILITY EVALUATION
The anticipated release of the DTC EBV represents the first step towards implementing AGBU's newly developed Female Reproduction module within the Brangus BREEDPLAN evaluation. While Days to Calving is expected to be the first female fertility trait made available to Brangus breeders, the Female Reproduction module has been
designed to accommodate a broader range of fertility traits as additional fertility phenotypes and reproductive performance records become available from Brangus herds.
“The addition of Days to Calving in Brangus BREEDPLAN is long-awaited. Being a maternal breed, this key reproduction trait is vitally important and will be core to updated Brangus Selection Indices in the future” said Nath O’Sullivan, Brangus Australia CEO.
The anticipated introduction of the DTC EBV in October 2026 represents an important milestone for Brangus Australia and reflects the continued commitment of ABRI, AGBU and the breed's members to improving the genetic tools available to Australian beef producers. Through the submission of both current and historic fertility records, breeders can play a direct role in strengthening the evaluation, supporting the future expansion of the Female Reproduction module and accelerating genetic progress for one of the beef industry's most important traits.
The addition of Days to Calving in Brangus BREEDPLAN is long-awaited. Being a maternal breed, this key reproduction trait is vitally important and will be core to updated Brangus Selection Indices in the future
- Nath O’Sullivan, CEO, Brangus Australia
Genomic Selection: Does It Really Work?
Article NEOGEN AUSTRALASIA
Genomic selection is a widely used, effective and proven technique in plant and animal breeding, and numerous research studies have been conducted demonstrating the value of genomic selection in livestock breeding programs.
One such study was undertaken by researchers at the Animal Genetics & Breeding Unit (AGBU), which demonstrated the benefit of genomic selection in the Australian beef industry.
The peer reviewed study, titled ‘BREEDPLAN Single-Step Genomic Evaluation Delivers Increased Accuracies Across All Breeds and EBVs’, compared the predictive ability of breeding values calculated in a traditional genetic evaluation with the predictive ability of genomically enhanced breeding values calculated in a single step genetic evaluation for a range of beef cattle breeds. The study clearly demonstrated that the inclusion of genomic information increased the predictive ability of breeding values, with accuracy increases of between 5 – 30% observed.
Further, the study showed that the increase in predictive ability that resulted from the inclusion of genomic information differed by breed and trait, with the
magnitude of the increase largely determined by the size of the genomic reference population that was available for each breed: trait combination, the heritability of the trait, and the amount of genetic diversity present within the breed.
This is illustrated in the following image, showing that while the inclusion of genomic information increased the predictive ability of breeding values in the Angus breed on average by 25%, the increase observed varied from 7% to 37%, subject to the trait being analysed.
Figure 1 - Source: Johnston, D. J., Ferdosi, M. H., Connors, N. K., Cook, J., Girard, C. J., & Swan, A. A. (2023). BREEDPLAN single-step genomic evaluations deliver increased accuracies across all breeds and EBVs.
While this study clearly demonstrated the value of genomic selection, it also illustrated the critical role that the genomic reference population plays in genomic selection, and indicates:
With the exception of some traits where the existing genomic reference population is very large, the increase in the predictive ability of breeding values is likely to be larger in the future as the size of the genomic reference population for each breed: trait combination increases.
A larger, more diverse population contributes to greater accuracy, highlighting the importance of feeding
observed data back into the genetic evaluation and therefore boosting the reference population.
Organisations utilising genomic selection, via the provision of a single step genetic evaluation or otherwise, need clear strategies to maintain the genomic reference population if they are to continue to harness the benefit of genomic selection. Examples include Sire Benchmarking Programs, steer/cascase projects, fertility studies etc.
Genomic selection has been proven to work, and it has become an industry wide tool. Getting the best out of genomic
selection requires a commitment to building and maintaining the reference population. This is as simple as implementing a genomic testing plan within your breeding herd and feeding both the phenotypic data and genotype back into the genetic evaluation - ultimately closing the feedback loop.
Further Information:
To further discuss the utilisation of genomics and how to implement genomic testing plan for genomic selection within your breeding program, contact the team at Neogen.
2026 SALES AND EVENT PREVIEWS
Tablelands Better Beef Open Day
Sunday 23rd August
9am-4:30pm
Atherton Tablelands
Eleven studs across 12 different breeds will be showcased in Far North Queensland’s most popular Open Day. Featuring Telpara Hills Brangus and UltraBlacks, 157 Marnane Rd, Tolga QLD, Telpara Hills invites visitors to preview their 140+ sale animals in a relaxed, no pressure event.
More information and a map of participating studs available on the Tableland Better Beef Open Day Facebook page.
Palgrove Annual Bull Sale
Friday 11th September
12 Noon
‘Glen Wilga’, Chinchilla QLD
Palgrove will present a standout offering of 200 bulls at this year’s Annual Sale, including: 90 Ultrablack | 10 Brangus | 100 Charolais
The sale will be held on-property at ‘Glen Wilga’, Chinchilla, providing buyers the opportunity to inspect and assess a powerful draft of performance driven sires.
Each bull in the 2025 draft has been carefully selected from large contemporary groups, assessed for structure, temperament, and commercial relevance. From birth, these bulls have been recorded and measured under Palgrove’s rigorous genetic and performance program.
Included in this year’s draft of bulls are sons of Palgrove Quality Time Q98, an Imparted embryo out of the US, along with other sons of our leading sires including Palgrove Revolution, CRC Alliance, Palgrove Trendline and Palgrove Safehouse.
They are a 'must inspect' group of bulls, carrying all the commercially relevant traits Palgrove have focused on in the last 15 years of breeding Ultrablack cattle, fertility, sleek skins, adaptability, weight for age along with strong carcase traits to Improve profitability of commercial producers. All will be sires are verified, tested for Homozygous polled and black coat colour and inoculated twice with 7-in-l, Pestigard, Vibrio and 3-day sickness along with a single dose of 3 germ tick blood.
Bull Walk: Friday 21st August, 10am–2pm. Private inspections also welcome by appointment.
For a catalogue or more information, visit palgrove.com or contact: George Stacey – 0408 805 416 | Ben Noller – 0427 700 949
10th Annual Bimbadeen Genetics Sale
Monday 21st September – 1pm
On Property, ‘Jindalee’ 43931 Burnett HWY, Jambin QLD
Mark & Amanda Salisbury and family are very proud to present a top line of 60 young Brangus bulls at the 2026 Bimbadeen Genetics Sale.
Black and red Brangus sires of the future will be catalogued with all the measures and forecasts expected in today’s commercially driven environment with real world challenges, along with with the pedigree and DNA information demanded by studmasters the world over.
The Salisburys will celebrate ten years of Bimbadeen's stand-alone sale: a decade of producing a larger run of Bimbadeen bulls (and females) for clients to select from. Catalogued animals have been carefully selected from a super fertile cow herd, with its outstanding depth of Brangus breeding and fertility pressure.
Bimbadeen has always focussed on commercially relevant traits, producing steers to meet grassfed EU meatworks specs and feedlot markets. Animals from both stud and commercial herds must meet the same demands to finish well and early, consistently meeting weight and fat cover requirements with excellent meat quality. These goals are reflected in the seedstock animals Bimbadeen offers for sale to you.
All sale animals are rising two years of age, DNA’d for parent verification, coat colour and poll genetics and genomics-enhanced EBVs, with Breedplan EBVs, documented dam calving records, and bulls fully semen tested and assessed. We ensure sale animals are ready to work anywhere, being raised on granite country at home blocks ‘Upson Downs’ and ‘Arthur’s Knob’ and vaccinated (7-in-1, tick fever, vibrio and three-day).
If you are chasing your new stud sire, a line of cracking commercial bulls, a good quiet sire for your smaller operation or a terrific heifer bull, you will find the animal/s you are chasing in Bimbadeen's 2026 catalogue.
Photos, videos and catalogue will be available closer to the sale at www.bimbadeenbrangus.com
Pre-sale inspections are welcome, please contact Mark Salisbury 0427 141 919. Agents - Kellco Rural Agencies - Andrew Cavanagh, Monto: 0467 662 452 & Brendan Kelly, Dalby: 0400 997 289.
Sale will be via live auction and interfaced online with Auctions Plus.
Beaudesert Brangus Bull and Female Sale
17th September - 10am
Beaudesert Saleyards, Beaudesert QLD
Quality multi-vendor Brangus sale featuring Registered Brangus Bulls alongside Commercial Heifer. This sale will showcases outstanding genetic lines, including USA, Australian, and mixed bloodlines, carefully selected to meet the needs of todays progressive breeders and commercial producers.
For further information, please visit www.bartholomew.com.au/livestock/ or contact Ben Armstrong 0403 054 845 | ben@bromleyre.au
Telpara Hills Brangus, UltraBlacks, and Angus Bull & Female Sale
Outstanding offering of 100+ Bulls and 40 Elite Heifers. The North’s Largest sale of its kind, a highlight of the year for both stud and commercial breeders. The Telpara Hills offering has expanded to include 3 breeds: Brangus, UltraBlacks and Angus for the first time.
Free Freight offer to many major centres across Queensland. Remote bidding made easy with phone and online options.
Contact: Stephen 0439532132, Fiona 0439774309, Brittany 0417755896
Agent: Anthony Ball (Elders agent) 0428 275 499 or Buyers preferred agent
Online Bidding, Catalogue, videos available at www.telparahills.com.au
Central Brangus Clasic Bull and Female Sale
Friday, 25th September 2026, 9am
CQLX Gracemere QLD
Triple B Brangus Annual Production Sale
Wednesday 30th September
On property ‘Araluen’, Dingo QLD
2026 marks the 19th year of the Central Brangus Classic Bull and Female sale, known simply as the CBC sale- which will take place on Friday, September 25 commencing at 9am.
The sale brings together a group of like-minded vendors, who are predominately based in Central Queensland and who, in the main, operate both stud and commercial enterprises. Our aim is to present a catalogue of commercially relevant seedstock, with a heavy focus on fertility, phenotype, temperament and structural correctness- knowing that the animals we present are selected with marketability specifications forefront in mind.
CBC is an unreserved sale; buyers can bid with confidence in the knowledge that as soon as the beast enters the ring it is on the market. The bulls are scanned for carcase traits/fat coverage on the day prior to the sale with this information available via our supplementary sheet during our bull walk, on that afternoon.
For more information www.cbcsale.com.au Facebook Central Brangus Classic
The Barlow family will welcome buyers back to 'Araluen', Dingo, for the 14th Annual Triple B Brangus Production Sale on Wednesday, 30th September.
This year's sale will feature a revised format, with an exclusive offering of 80 Brangus bulls and no females included.
The Triple B Brangus herd is one of the breed's most comprehensively performance recorded operations, with every animal backed by full BREEDPLAN and DNA records. All sale bulls carry Brangus Bundle DNA profiles, incorporating parent verification, poll and coat colour testing, and genomically enhanced EBVs.
To ensure buyers have complete confidence in their purchases, every bull has been carcass ultrasound scanned, semen and morphology tested, and vaccinated for 3-day sickness, 7-in-1, Botulism, Pestigard and 3 germ blood.
Lindsay and Fiona Barlow encourage prospective buyers to inspect the sale draft prior to sale day, with the gates at Triple B always open to visitors. Their breeding program continues to focus on delivering commercially relevant, performance driven genetics, supported by the latest science and technology.
The sale will be conducted live at 'Araluen' and streamed online with the assistance of Nutrien Ag Solutions and AuctionsPlus.
For the catalogue, photos and videos, visit www.triplebbrangus.com
Lunar Brangus & Ultrablack
4th Annual Sale
Friday 2nd October, 11am
On property ‘Barrinja’, Comet QLD
The Comiskey family is excited to host the 4th Annual Lunar Brangus On-Property Bull Sale on Friday, 2 October, offering 60 quality Brangus and Ultrablack bulls. For those unable to attend in person, online bidding will be available via AuctionsPlus.
Every sale bull has had a Brangus Bundle DNA profile completed, including parent verification (sire and dam), poll status, and coat colour testing, with BreedPlan data also available to assist buyers in making informed breeding decisions.
The sale team has undergone a comprehensive animal health program, receiving vaccinations for Pestivirus, 7-in-1, Vibrio, 3-Germ Blood, Botulism, and Three-Day Sickness, and will be cleared to travel into tick-free areas. To make purchasing even easier, the Lunar team is happy to assist with transport arrangements and offers free delivery on all bulls purchased through the sale.
Lunar Brangus & Ultrablacks continues to focus on delivering cattle with proven carcase performance. Through ongoing participation in the CQ Carcase Competition, the stud continues to benchmark its genetics against industry standards. In 2025, Lunar enjoyed another outstanding result, securing 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 6th places in the Feed-On Class, while also claiming Highest Individual Daily Weight Gain for the second consecutive year.
Prospective buyers are welcome to inspect the bulls prior to the sale. Paddock inspections can be arranged by contacting Brad Comiskey on 0439 620 903.
Photos, videos and the sale catalogue will be available closer to sale day at www.lunarbrangus.com
Triple B Brangus Northern Production Sale
Monday 23rd November
Dalrymple Saleyards, Charters Towers QLD
The Barlow family will present the third annual Triple B Brangus Northern Production Sale on Monday, 23rd November 2026 at Dalrymple Saleyards, Charters Towers, with the sale moving to a new time of year.
The change in date follows weather disruptions to the previous two February sales and better aligns the sale with the joining programs of northern commercial producers.
This year's offering will feature 60 outstanding Brangus bulls, showcasing the depth, consistency and performance driven focus that underpin the Triple B Brangus breeding program.
Every sale bull is backed by a comprehensive Brangus Bundle DNA profile, including parent verification, poll and coat colour testing, along with genomic enhanced EBVs. Bulls have also undergone carcass ultrasound scanning, semen and morphology testing, and are fully vaccinated for 3-day sickness, 7-in-1, Botulism, Pestigard and 3 germ blood.
Visitors are welcome to inspect the operation prior to sale, with Lindsay and Fiona Barlow encouraging producers to visit the property, view the herd and gain an insight into a breeding program founded on science, technology and practical commercial performance.
The sale will be conducted by Nutrien Ag Solutions at Dalrymple Saleyards, with online bidding available through AuctionsPlus.
For the full catalogue, along with photos and videos of the sale team, visit www.triplebbrangus.com
Brangus Youth Camp
Monday 14th to Thursday 17th December
Theodore Sport and Recreational Grounds, Theodore QLD
The Brangus Youth Camp is a not-for-profit group that conducts a cattle camp with great success and high regard from all young participants.
Held over four days, it provides young people the opportunity to learn about animal care and maintenance, animal nutrition, handling of large animals, bovine anatomy, sustainable land care practices and soil health, public speaking and teamwork, just to name a few.
Past events have proven to develop personal skills, inspired the involvement of young people in agriculture and created great memories.
