Reliable Highlands hits $12,000

Heifers

THE Highlands Droughtmaster sale proved its resilience and dependability topping at $12,000 and enjoying an impressive average and clearance notwithstanding dire forecasts.

Despite concerns of vendors in the lead up to the event, a strong group of commercial buyers filled the stands and paid an average of just over $4000 for 65 bulls in the ring and took another ten bulls after the sale to clear 96pc of the catalogue.

Topping the sale was the $12,000 purchase of Strathfield Gizmo by John Baccon, Mt Oscar Droughtmasters, Clermont.

Listed by Shane and Wendy Perry, Clermont, the 26-month-old, Rondel Normanton son weighed in at 840kg with fat scans of 8mm and 5mm for P8 and rib fat.

The bull was selected by Mr and Mrs Perry as a feature lot to assist the RACQ CQ Rescue service with 10pc of the proceeds destined for the popular group.

In total, $3800 was raised for the charity at the sale.

Jeff Mills (right), Melrose, Morinish, had to drive to Clermont to buy his neighbour's bull. Mr Mills secured Redskin Foreman for $8000 after the bull was listed by Redskin stud principal, Ken (left) and Debbie Rutherford, Redbank, Morinish.

Strathfield Droughtmasters averaged $4357 for 14 bulls.

Dale Sibson, Cotherstone, Dysart, paid $8000 for the top priced herd bull at the sale, a 27-month-old, Wolfang lot listed by Greg and Donna Edwards, Cooeeall, Wowan.

Mr Sibson averaged $5125 for four bull purchases.

A total of 29 herd bulls averaged $4000 while 36 registered sires averaged $4097.

Redskin Foreman, a 29-month-old, 830kg, two-tooth, Redskin Bodacious son sold for $8000 to Jeff Mills, Melrose, Morinish, who also selected a 30-month-old, Redskin R herd bull for $6500.

Both bulls were offered by Ken, Debbie and Renee Rutherford, Redbank, Morinish, who averaged $4562 for eight bulls sold.

Mr Mills averaged $6333 for three bull purchases including a $4500 Huntly herd bull listed by Sam and Jane Barton, Clermont.

Butch Howard, Locharnoch Station, Jericho made his presence felt, purchasing five bulls including a 28-month-old, Redskin herd bull for $7500.

Mr Howard averaged $5000 for his five selections.

The top priced herd bull at the Highlands Droughtmaster sale, a Wolfang lot sold to Dale Sibson (left) and family, Jellinbah Pastoral, Cotherstone Station, Dysart. Mr Sibson's daughter, Keeley is pictured and Wolfang stud principal, Greg Edwards.

Collinsville buyer, Gordon Graham, Two Mile Station, paid $6000 for a 28-month-old, 840kg, Huntly herd bull with fat scans of 11mm and 6mm for P8 and rib fat.

Huntly Oscar, a 30-month-old, Mt Oscar Hector son sold to Peter McKenzie, Redbank, Dingo for $5500.

Mark and Linda Deguara, Mia Mia, Mirani, selected the 26-month-old, Kenlogan Quandilla listed by Andrew and Sonya Harvey, Clermont, for $4500.

Barry O'Sullivan, Clonmell, Clermont, averaged $3300 for five bull purchases while Glen and Lisa Hodgkinson, Carmel Downs, Clermont, Mal Anderson, Richmond, Jason, Kirsty and Alisha Hoch, Thunderbolt Grazing, The Springs, Aramac, Greg and Dan Perry, Glendon, Greg Perry, Woolombi, Emerald and Dale Sibson, Cotherstone, Dysart, all selected four bulls.

A total of 12 bulls sold after the sale to lift the clearance to 99pc.

IT seems short and sweet sells.

A select group of seven heifers from Toronellah Droughtmasters and the Bogantungan, Medway prefix were met with strong demand and the 2015 Highlands Droughtmaster sale.

Morinish buyer, Renee Rutherford, Redskin R stud, paid to a top of $2500 for a Toronellah heifer but actually purchased the entire Toronellah run listed by Errol Appleton, Nebo.

Renee Rutherford, Redskin R stud, Morinish paid to a top of $2500 for three heifers offered by Errol Appleton, Toronellah Droughtmasters, Nebo.

The Donaldson family's offering was purchased by Will and Ingrid Haviland, Sugarland Droughtmasters, Natoma Downs, Capella, the Alexander family, Titan Downs, Clermont, David Pitt, Gaylong, Capella and Simon and Sharon Fraser, Wolfang, Clermont.