IT was 10 years since South Australian Droughtmaster breeders Bob and Marie McQueen, Marosa Droughtmaster Stud, Victor Harbor, last attended a Droughtmaster National Sale, and they were pleasantly surprised in 2014.
"Not only have the selling facilities improved at the CQLX, but also the quality genetics on offer have improved enormously," Mr McQueen said.
It is no accident that the McQueens are the only Droughtmaster breeders in SA, as they are former cattle producers from Clutha Station, near Maxwelton in north-west Queensland. In 2000 the couple sold Clutha and relocated to Victor Harbor, situated about 100km south of Adelaide, to be closer to Mrs McQueen's family.
However, as they not could part with their beloved Droughtmaster herd, they trucked the nucleus of 300 breeders, which included 180 stud breeders, all the way south.
"They arrived in July straight off the Mitchell grass country in the middle of the fierce South Australian winter, and acclimatised immediately on to the heavy grey soil country grassed with clover," Mr McQueen said.
"And at no stage did they seem to go backwards."
While they have not converted any South Australian beef producers to the virtues of the adaptability of the breed, the McQueens supply 40 Droughtmaster bulls to beef producers in central Australia.
"We usually sell the top eight bulls at the annual Alice Springs show and sale, and the balance at paddock sales in the Northern Territory."
And over the past few years, Mr McQueen has heavily relied on placing his bull order with the selling agents to secure replacement bloodlines from Queensland, but this year the couple decided it was time to make the trip themselves.
"It has worked well asking agents to act on our behalf, but it was really good to check over the 560 bulls on offer this year.
"There is a definite improvement in the Droughtmaster breed, particularly the bone, muscle pattern and temperament.
"We have been based on the Glenlands and Swan bloodlines for many years, and I was looking for new bloodlines and the choices were enormous - they are all quality bulls.
"I was looking for medium to dark-coloured natural polled bulls, as that is what the Territorians want, and that is what I bought."
In all, the McQueens finished with three bulls to average $5500.
They selected two bulls from the Angle Zed draft, paying to $5000, offered by Fortrus Pastoral Co, Gympie. Their top-price selection at $9000 was for the polled sire Oasis Signature, a son of Lamont Inmate, offered by Noel, Robyn and Adam Geddes, Oasis stud, Emerald.
Helen Walker
Journalist for Queensland Country Life at Rockhampton.
Journalist for Queensland Country Life at Rockhampton.
