SECURING Droughtmaster genetics for both commercial and stud herds saw buyers from across the state purchasing cattle from the Glen Fosslyn Annual Roma Sale on Friday.
Cameron and Cheryl Salter, Glen Fosslyn, Surat, offered bulls described as among their “best ever draft presented in the stud’s history” at their sale and for the first time, females and semen packages.
Of their 56 bulls, 43 sold for a 77 per cent clearance, an average of $5186, a top of $16,500 and a gross of $223,000.
Seven of their ten heifers sold for a 70 per cent clearance, averaging $1964 and a top of $3 000. Five of the heifers were purchased by stud owners.
Two of the three semen packages sold, both going to Richard and Adele Acton, Ambleside Droughtmasters, Thangool, for an average of $33.75/straw and a top of $45/straw.
It was lot 18, Glen Fosslyn Kurtz, who topped the draft at $16,500 and was purchased by Gav and Lisa Kleidon, Etloe West, Guluguba.
At just 24-months-old, the polled son of Carlton Goanna weighed in at 758 kilograms with a 122 EMA, P8 and Rib fat scores of 9/6 and a scrotal circumference of 39.5cm.
His semen motility was 70 per cent.
The Kleidon’s shifted their operation from backgrounding to commercial breeding six years ago and now have a herd of 60 Droughtmaster breeders.
Kurtz will be used in the herd aimed at breeding quality females for their operation and steers.
Mr Kleidon said while European cattle were often the breed of choice when it came to steers, Droughtmasters were universal and he had liked them since his youth.
“We may down the track keep the female Droughtmaster base and put a European type bull over them to go into a cross breeding program but we need a little more country yet to do that,” he said.
“We just kept scanning through (the bulls) and always just kept ending up going back to him.”
“Hopefully he will be a herd improver, he is just a soft all round bull,” Lisa added.
In the heifer draft, it was Jim and Rebecca Farqhar, Calco Droughtmasters, Rolleston, who purchased the top price heifer, Glen Fosslyn Jewel 13 for $3000.
They also purchased Glen Fosslyn Mildred 5 for $2000.
Stephen and Todd Cormack, Perola Park and Oakwood, Wallumbilla, secured two Glen Fosslyn females, Glen Fosslyn Geraldine 9 for $2750 and Glen Fosslyn Gwendolyn 7 for $1500.
The Cormack family have been long time supporters of the Glen Fosslyn cattle and integrated Droughtmasters on their property in 2005 after having a purebred commercially recognised Hereford herd for about 70 years.
They fell in love with the breed so much that in April this year they established their own stud, Black Gully Droughtmasters.
They now have 12 stud females, including their Glen Fosslyn purchases, with the aim of selling stud bulls.
Both females they bought were either polled or scurred which Todd said was something they were looking for in both their commercial and stud operations to eventually remove the need to dehorn.
He said the Droughtmaster breed was proving a successful cross for their operation and their temperament and mothering traits were particularly notable.
“They certainly go well in our country,” he said.
Bulk buyers on the day included the Bryant Family, Mitchell, who purchased six bulls averaging $5166 and the Murray Brothers, Eromanga, who bought five bulls averaging $3400.
A.J McIntosh Family Grazing, Glenmorgan, took home four bulls averaging $4375 along with LRC Grazing, Roma, whose bulls averaged $4250.
Stud principal Cameron Salter thanked the support of repeat buyers who have invested in Glen Fosslyn genetics.
He said the sale results reflected seasonal conditions
“It is always pleasing to see new buyers taking advantage of our quality cattle at affordable prices,” he said.
Selling agents: Elders and Landmark
Lucy Kinbacher
Raised on a cattle property at Biggenden, Lucy Kinbacher has spent 10 years working across metropolitan, regional and rural publications in both Queensland and NSW. Lucy has been the editor of the Queensland Country Life and North Queensland Register since 2021.
Raised on a cattle property at Biggenden, Lucy Kinbacher has spent 10 years working across metropolitan, regional and rural publications in both Queensland and NSW. Lucy has been the editor of the Queensland Country Life and North Queensland Register since 2021.
