Olivia Baker from Woonallee and Ben Finch, Elders Stud Stock South Australia with new Australian Black Simmental breed record holder, Woonallee Global V520 sold yesterday for $70,000 to Brewer Beef, Tallangatta Valley Vic

THIS year’s Autumn bull sales across the country are off to a solid start, with breed records being set in the south and averages and clearances well up at benchmark northern Autumn sales.

The strong results come despite some international beef market uncertainty caused by tariff and quota measures and increased market access for major beef export competitor, Brazil.

That’s being offset somewhat by

• Continued buoyant young cattle and meatworks prices, with the NLRS feeder steer indicator sitting today at 465c, up about 110c on this time last year and processor cows ex saleyards up87c on last year at 358c/kg liveweight today.
• Strong international beef demand out of North Asia, North America and Europe, due in part to low production levels in the United States and Europe.

Bull buying patterns are often closely related to seasonal conditions, and the opening stages of 2026 for many Australian beef producers could be described as patchy, at best. Many in the northern half of the continent are banking on good falls out of the current weather influence, forecast to deliver 50-100mm and more across a large area over the next week.

However today’s BOM three-month seasonal outlook (click here to access) does nothing to add to confidence over seasonal prospects heading into winter.

New Black Simmental national record

Tom Baker and family’s Woonallee Simmentals based out of Millicent, South Australia re-set the Black Simmental Australian bull record at the stud’s annual autumn sale held yesterday.

Woonallee Global V520 sold for $70,000 to Brewer Beef, Tallangatta Valley Vic. Traditional Simmentals in the sale weren’t far behind, selling to $67,500.

The Woonallee sale cleared all 92 bulls offered, averaging $14,961, up more than $3900 or 35pc on last year.  A SimmAngus composite offering of 22 bulls also sold well, clearing the offering to average $14,846.

Click here to see Beef Central’s comprehensive list of beef breed record prices for bulls and females.

In another strong South Australian result, Granite Ridge Angus near Reedy Creek sold bulls to $235,000 – a state all-breeds record – with 80 bulls averaging $12,513.

At the other end of the continent, the Big Country Brahman Sale in Charters Towers completed last week saw bulls lift more than $5000 in average value compared with the same sale last year, averaging $13,673 for 164 Red and Grey Brahman bulls, clearing 98pc of the offering. Top price was $130,000 for a Grey bull, Ahern Gallen 1799 sold to Yaccamunda Investments, Collinsville Qld.

The annual two-day February All Breeds Bull sale in Rockhampton which ended on Tuesday saw 255 bulls sold, with average prices rising 35 percent on last year to $8969. Clearance lifted to 82pc after a tough sale last year, with bulls averaging $8969.

Click here to access Beef Central’s comprehensive list of upcoming autumn bull sales being staged across the nation, and a companion list of results from recently completed sales