Santa Gertrudis seedstock producers in the Blackall-Tambo region have weathered the ravages of three drought years to be rewarded with some of their best figures ever when their 2016 round of sales took place this week.
No sooner had Elders auctioneer Michael Smith cleared his throat to begin than bid cards were being flapped and spotters were raising hands around the rings of Swan Hill, Barcoo Breeders and Strathmore sales.
The Russell family led off with 100pc clearance of their 33 bulls on Monday, with a top price of $10,000 and an average of $6273.
On Tuesday morning it was the turn of the Barcoo Breeders sale at the Blackall selling complex, where a 98pc clearance was recorded for an average of $8920 and a top price of $45,000, paid by Ben Avery of Chippendale Holdings, Blackall for Drensmaine Destiny.
In the breakdown, Len and Helen Sargood of Drensmaine sold all bulls for an average of $11,041, while the Allen family, Forest Park sold 27 of 29 bulls for an average $5148.
That afternoon Ian and Kerry Walker’s Strathmore sale cleared 98pc of its bulls, averaging $8276 and a top price of $21,000 to Bevan and Maree Pearce, Bendalla stud, Longreach.
QCL will run full reports of Tuesday’s sales in print next week.