Vella Brahmans dominate Great Northern Brahman bull sale

NCC Al 6244 pictured with Ray Vella from Vella Brahmans

Original story published on Queensland Country Life 26/10/2024

The Great North Brahman Sale has wrapped up for another year, with NCC Al 6244 from Ray and Leah Vella, Vella Brahmans, Proserpine topping this year's sale.

The product of sire NCC Eli and dam NCC Silhouette 4258 was bought by Robert and Mandy White, Wilangi Brahmans, Marlborough, for $34,000 on Friday, October 25.

The couple snapped up the last opportunity to buy a cross of the deceased sire and one of the last sons of NCC Eli.

The two-year-old grey ticked all the boxes, presenting with good length, mass volume, temperament and an even structure.

Mr Vella had expected NCC Al, one of his lead bulls, to attract plenty of bidding and was pleased with the outcome.

“He was a very good quality bull and thank you to Rob and Mandy White from Wilangi Brahmans. I think he'll do a really good job for their stud soon," he said.

"He ticked all the boxes; a good head, good muzzle, good pigment, plenty of beef on him, good bone, good temperament and his parents are very well bred.

"They're proven sires and you can't go wrong with that type of parentage."

Mr Vella said the bull would work well with the White's good cow lines.

"They've purchased some genetics off [NCC Eli breeder] Brett [Nobbs] in the past so I know they worked for them in the past and they should be happy with that bull," he said.

NCC Al tipped the scales at 862kg and measured 40 centimetres in scrotal circumference, scanning 13 and 11 millimetres respectively for P8 and rib fat, 144 square centimetres for eye muscle area and 5.5pc for intramuscular fat.

He had sperm motility of 80pc and morphology of 83pc.

There were plenty of active buyers at the sale at the Proserpine Showgrounds for the sale, coming from Charters Towers, Proserpine, Mackay, Rockhampton, Bowen and Moura.

"You've got world class genetics right here on your doorsteps so you don't have to travel too far. You get great genetics here at the Great Northern [Brahman] Sale," Mr Vella said.

"There was some good buying today ... and hopefully they'll come back next year and buy a few more bulls."

The Great Northern Brahman Bull and Heifer Sale, Friday 25 October 2024

Overall there were 133 lots presented and 115 sold for an 86 per cent clearance rate.

The sale's total prices amounted to $776,000 to average $6748 per head.

Out of the 82 bulls that were offered, 76 sold for a 93pc clearance.

The bulls grossed $580,000 and averaged $7632/hd.

There were 51 heifers offered and 39 sold for a 76pc clearance.

They sold for a total $196,000 and averaged $5026/hd.

The top priced heifer was Cambil Sherry 6926 from Lawrence and Sophie Camm, Cambil Brahmans, Mt Julian, which sold for $16,000 to Megan and William Beale, Mamillae Brahmans, Victoria Plains.

James and Cassandra Kent, Kent Beef, Goovigen sold the top selling bull at last year's Great Northern Brahman Sale.

Their offering, JK Monte Cristo sold for $70,000.

Last year's top female was maiden grey entrant, Cambil Jewel 6559, offered by Lawson and Sophie Camm, Cambil Brahmans, Mt Julian, which sold for $26,000.