Quiet, cost effective, productive Droughtmaster cattle that perform well in the field are a consistent staple of the Highlands Droughtmaster Bull Sale being held on Friday, March 22, at the Clermont Saleyards.
A total of 12 vendors have selected 86 bulls for the sale, including 56 registered sires and 30 herd bulls.
Sale committee secretary Alex Donaldson said the sale has becoming known for “producing good beefy bullock bulls as well as high profile stud sires”.
“This year the sale will be supporting the Royal Flying Doctor Service, with $50 from each bull sold over the entire catalogue going to the charity,” she said.
She said there will be a pre-inspection backyard bull walk at the saleyards on the afternoon of Thursday, March 21, and a breakfast will be provided on the morning of the sale, from 8am.
“Also on the Thursday night, the sale vendors will be hosting a meet and greet at the Commercial Hotel, Clermont from 6.30pm, with all sale attendees welcome."
In all, 79 bulls were offered in the catalogue at the 2018 sale, with 86 per cent of the draft selling to average $7705. “A complete package” is how purchaser Colleen Smith, Vale View Stud, Manumbar, described the $24,000 top-priced bull at last year’s sale Oasis A Mr Mint, from vendors, the Geddes family, Oasis Stud, Emerald.
All sale bulls have been semen tested and soundness evaluated, and will be EMA scanned, vet checked and pre-treated for ticks. There is also a bulk buyer rebate and some great buyer incentives in place for the sale.
“I’d also like to say a special thank you to our other major sale sponsors Feedpro, Phoenix Powersports and Achmea Insurance, as well as our other valued sponsors, Feed Pro, Beef Breeding Services, Blue Ribbon Stockfeeds, Coleman Stockfeeds, Zoetis, Clermont Concrete, CQ Saddlery, Broken River Mountain Resort, K & A Canvases and Zee Tags."