While day two of the Droughtmaster National bull sale in Gracemere was more of a buyer’s market than the first day, Droughtmaster Australia CEO, Neil Donaldson, said it was to be expected.
At the conclusion of the sale on Wednesday, the breed had cleared 439 bulls or 89 per cent of the catalogue, and an overall sale price average of $8400.
This was after Wednesday’s sales resulted in 211 bulls sold for an 86pc clearance and an average price of $8066 and a solid 92pc clearance and average of $8711 on Tuesday.
“We were back about $1300 on last year’s average price and we cleared about 3pc less today,” Mr Donaldson said. “Day two was more what we expected all over – it was a buyers’ market but the good bulls still attracted a lot of interest.”
The Kinbacher family of Biggenden and the Geddes family of Emerald each received $46,000 for one of their bulls offered on Wednesday to record joint top prices on Wednesday.
The Kinbachers sold Garthowen Yeoman 2 (P), their 25-month-old sire weighing 880kg with an EMA of 131sq cm, to Kimberley Bred, Western Australia.
“The bull we sold was by Jembrae Fenton who we bought from the Droughtmaster National Sale in 2012 for $31,000,” Garthowen Droughtmaster Stud’s Simon Kinbacher said.
“We have sold 16 of his sons at the Droughtmaster National to average $22,187 and top at $78,000 at last year’s sale.”
Meanwhile, Noel and Robyn Geddes sold Oasis A Iron Jack (P), aged 22 months, weighing 812kg and having an EMA of 138sq cm, to Col and Matt Fernie, Fernie Cattle Co, Yarrawonga, Blackwater.
The Geddes topped the equivalent sale last year when they sold Oasis Dundee for $135,000 to Mac and Gayle Shann, Lamont Droughtmasters, Clermont.
The Oasis A Iron Jack will now go to work in the Fernie family’s extend commercial cattle operation to continue the tradition of producing high quality paddock bulls.
Mr Donaldson said buyers were back around 5 to 6pc on last year.
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Numbers were boosted somewhat by the presence of 40 online bidders registered with Elite Livestock Services.
Chris Norris said there had been over 300 viewers over the two days and 10 bulls were purchased from buyers ranging from Richmond, Bundaberg, the Brisbane Valley, Comet, Biloela, Kaimkillenbun, and the Fassifern Valley.