The largest number of stud-bred Droughtmaster bulls available in one location combined with a diverse array of genetics will ensure that the Droughtmaster National Sale being held on Tuesday, September 11 and Wednesday, September 12, is one not to be missed.
A total of 14 first-time vendors will join with 99 veterans of the sale to offer 589 bulls, including 575 registered bulls and 14 herd bulls across the two days of scintillating action at CQLX Gracemere.
Sale committee chairperson, Nick Hughes said he’s optimistic about the 2018 sales’ prospects given the general popularity of the breed which was enhanced by its “outstanding performance at Beef Australia 2018”.
“Beef was a great showcase for our Droughtie breeders as we had the largest number of entries in the stud and commercial judging competitions, and it was pleasing to again see Droughtmasters win Grand Champion Pen at the Commercial Championships,” Mr Hughes said.
“However, vendors are well aware that the season being experienced by their buyers always has the greatest influence on the result, so hopefully the rain will come before sale time,” he said.
He said one thing commercial breeders can bank on is the sale offering value for money in the bulls they take home.
“In 2017 commercial buyers purchased 77 per cent of the catalogue for a $7,600 average.”
All bulls catalogued can be inspected from noon on Sunday, September 9, right up until the sale begins on both days at 8.30am.
Mr Hughes said all sale bulls have passed the ACV BULLCHECK soundness evaluation check.
“All sale bulls are semen tested and a large percentage will be morphology tested. They’re all vaccinated for Tick Fever, Ephemeral Fever (3Day Sickness) and 7in1 or 5in1 and have been scanned by ultrasound for fat and eye muscle area scores.”
“Many bulls will also be eligible for entry into WA and NT, and J-BAS Scores of all bulls will be listed on sale day supplementary sheets.”
Mr Hughes said they’ll again be livestreaming the sale online using Elite Livestock Auctions which will enable buyers to bid on bulls without leaving home.
All attending the sale are invited to the saleyards from 5.30pm on Monday, September 10, for the annual Meet & Greet with complimentary refreshments and finger food on offer, and a charity heifer auction will also with proceeds going to the Black Dog Ride charity.
The sale website droughtmasternational.com is the “one stop shop” for everything to do with the sale. New buyers should contact their local sale agent at Landmark, SBB/GDL and Elders or the Droughtmaster Society for a catalogue.