Sale summary: 79 bulls offered, 86pc clearance, top price $24,000, $7705 average.
“A complete package” is how purchaser Colleen Smith describes the top-priced bull at the Highlands Droughtmaster sale on Friday, which she and husband David secured for their Vale View Droughtmaster stud for $24,000.
The 24-month-old son of Oasis Dollar and Oasis A Miss Sunshine was carrying 845kg, had an EMA of 127 square cm, and a scrotal circumference of 38cm.
Third in the judging undertaken prior to the sale, Colleen said they were impressed with the power and scale of their new sire.
“He was a true standout on the day – we feel we were very lucky to secure him at that price,” she said.
The Geddes family sold all four of their bulls at the Clermont venue for an average of $11,250.
Second top price paid was $20,000, by the Finger family, Dysart, for Strathfield 9JE Irresistable, a 28-month-old bull sired by Glenaubyn Detroit out of Strathfield Sunglow.
Spokeswoman, Lauren Finger, La Shae Droughtmasters, said his EMA of 125sqcm impressed, along with his structure and temperament.
He’ll become a new herd sire and will be shared with the family’s wider commercial herd.
Vendor, Josh Perry, said it had been an outstanding result, coming on top of a first placing in the morning’s judging.
“They were the first sons of Detroit sold at auction so we were interested in seeing how they went,” he said.
It added up to a $10,250 average for the bulls sold on his behalf and a $9142 average for the stud overall.
Second place in the judging went to Karragarra Stud, which sold all 10 bulls offered for a $9350 average.
Lot 77, Huntly 518, purchased by Redskin Droughtmaster, Morinish, for $14,000, was the top-priced herd bull of the sale.
Jumba Holdings, Charters Towers, was one of the volume buyers on the day, taking home six bulls, from Oasis, Karragarra, Redskin and Huntly studs.
Also active in the sale ring were Andrew and Sam Bulger, Serento, The Willows.
Some $8500 was raised for the Clermont Kindy and Daycare, thanks to each stud donating 10 per cent of the proceeds of one of their bulls to a cause.
According to director, Katie Hobbs, the money would go to new lockers and chairs for the children as they undertook ongoing renovations at the centre.
On the Thursday evening at the meet and greet, auction items donated by the Clermont community raised $8150 for Tie Up the Black Dog.
Highlands Droughtmaster secretary, Alex Donaldson, said it was only the second time the auction had been held but it was already a popular event.
- Selling agents: Landmark and Elders
Full results in Queensland Country Life next week