All roads lead to Rockhampton for Brahman Week

It’s “the big dance” for Brahman vendors next week, with Braham Week kicking off at Rockhampton. 

Nutrien Stud Stock Manager for North Queensland Dane Pearce said vendors were gearing up for the breed’s premier event, with the usual nerves tempered by strong selling and weather conditions in the north. 

At CQLX Gracemere, 179 studs will sell bulls across three days, starting on Monday with the greys before moving onto the reds. 

“You’re talking about some of the most experienced Brahman breeders, preparing some of the best bulls,” Mr Pearce said. 

He said people had been surprised at how well stud stock was selling over spring but that this confidence was welcome, particularly after a tough 2023. 

“While 100% clearances are not as prominent as they were three years ago, there’s plenty of 90% clearances and strong averages,” he said. 

“On the whole, we’re in a better spot than last year, most of that is due to the season.” 

In 2023 the season cut out at the end of September, early October, with a decline in confidence acerbated by the Bureau of Meteorology's forecast of El Nino, which spooked the livestock industry. 

“Market conditions are more favourable this year. They’ve also got a reduced number offered which will help with clearances,” he said. 

Mr Pearce said buyers would be chasing structural soundness and fertility 

“They’ll be looking for that bull that’s going to suit their particular market,” he said. 

The larger the draft of bulls sold by a vendor, the longer they have been participating in the sale and it was these lines that Mr Pearce said attracted the most attention. 

“You’ve always got new vendors coming – they only start with one or two or three,” he said. 

“If you’ve earned your stripes to come with a big draft – 16-20 bulls – they are long-time generation breeders.  

“Those bigger drafts of bulls are even and consistent. Buyers know if they miss one lot they can saddle up on the next lot and get the same quality.” 

He said the bulls were looking good, supporting by some good weather conditions and expert attention from stud owners. 

However, some vendors to the south of Rockhampton had had some challenges with a colder winter and slower start to spring. 

GDL Rockhampton Branch Manager Josh Heck echoed the sentiment, saying his clients were optimistic about a successful Brahman Week. 

"Most of the bull sales so far have been better than they werein 2023, with clearances up and average up in places as well,” Mr Heck said. 

“There will be plenty of high prices for stud bulls, but we know there’s people coming down to buy runs of bulls. 

“There’s bulls for everyone’s budgets.” 

He expected prices to be similar to last year, if not better, with vendors choosing to put up less bulls, and more quality, to lift averages and clearance rates. 

“The season’s been pretty good up until now, there's  a few spots drying out, but the market tends to be trending upwards as the year goes on,” he said.