Flooding in the north and dry conditions across the rest of the state made for a tough market at the February All Breeds Bull and Female Sale at Gracemere last week, but several volume buyers dominated the sale.
Top volume buyer was Arthur Dingle and family, Arvale, Mt Perry who took home 11 Droughtmaster bulls for a top price of $8000 and average of $3727.
Mr Dingle said he took advantage of the opportunity when he realised there were a lot of good quality bulls being passed in.
“We’ve got about 500 breeders all up and our other bulls are getting a bit older, so it was a good chance to buy a few at that cheaper rate,” he said.
“I’m feeding them down with a bit of grain now to drop them off because it’s not a real good idea with fat bulls to put them straight out onto grass.
“We’re not as green as what it normally is this time of year, but there’s still a bit of dry roughage and we’ve got enough grass to keep the cattle going for now.”
The Dingle family breed their own calves and carry the steers through to bullocks for the grass-fed grid at Teys Biloela.
“And the cows, as they get a bit fatter, if they don’t have a calf I send them to the works then,” Mr Dingle said.
“Three months ago we last had some decent rain, it grew a bit but it’s been eaten down a bit now.
“There’s a chance we might get a bit of rain off this cyclone out to the east now, so hopefully we see something.”
Other volume buyers include Dan and Christine Parker, Parker Grazing, Clare Station, Jericho who purchased one Brahman bull for $5000 and eight Brahman heifers for a top of $3500.
Joe and Rachel Olive, Nullegai Brahmans, Nullegai, Marlborough took home two Simbrah bulls and four Charolais bulls for a top price of $4500 and average of $3250.
June Hood, New Chum, Mt Morgan purchased six Brahman bulls for $3000 each.
Elders agent, Robert Murray, said the sale was definitely a buyers market, with quality sires on offer but a lack of confidence having a huge impact.
