THE annual Rocky All Stars Elite Brahman Female sale was held in Gracemere on Saturday, with strong interest in the lineup evident early in the day.
Overall the sale saw 71 of the 77 heifers offered sell for a strong clearance of 92 per cent, to average of $4824. Scattered rain throughout Central Queensland brought optimism as both figures improved from the 2018 sale.
Top honours were on account of the Les and Helen Donald of EL JA Brahman Stud, Red Range, Theodore with the young grey heifer Lot 30 EL JA Miss Vieanna E Manso (IVF) (D) topping the sale early in the day.
Bids were hard and fast as Vieanna E Manso sold for $22,00 to Shane and Sandra Bishop of Garglen Brahman Stud, Gympie.
The confirmation and dam side bloodlines of the 21-month-old heifer sired by JDH Mr Elmo Manso (IMP US) (H) and out of EL JA Vanity Fair Manso (ET) (H) caught the eye of the Bishop family.
"She is fashionably bred and being by Elmo is always a benefit," Josh Bishop said.
"She is a real good heifer and it was good to see her go to such a good home. She was my pick of the whole draft.It was a great sale," EL JA Brahmans' Les Donald said.
Making the trip for the first time to sell at Gracemere, having not sold at the sale since being moved from Silverdale sale yard five years ago, the Donald family sold 12 heifers to average an impressive $6958.
Second to top for the greys was the Lot 15 heifer Glengarry Countess 2839 (AI) (P) who sold to Paul and Catherine Mackenzie, Arizona Brahmans, Dingo for a strong $15,000.
The Mackenzies also added Lot 16 Glengarry S Amena 2870 (H) to the Arizona stud for $8000.
The Angel family on account of the Glengarry Brahman Stud sold a total of 13 heifers for a rewarding average of $6692.
Topping the day for the reds were the Gibbs Family, Muan Pastoral Co with Lot 70 Muan Aruma 5583 (P) selling for $11,000 to Paul Lever, Leverdale Droughtmaster Stud, Townsville.
Aruma 5583 is a 27 month unjoined heifer sired by Kariboe Valley Major (S) and out of dam Muan Aruma 4125 (P).
Len and Sandra Gibbs, Muan Pastoral sold their complete draft of five heifers to average $5600.
Buying up at the sale was Birnam Cattle Co, Richmond, who went home with seven grey heifers to gross $17,500 for an average of $2500, while Bill and Kay Geddes, Doonside, Jardine purchased four grey heifers for a gross of $24,000 to average $6000.
Sue Hammer, Annavale Station, Charters Towers, secured two grey lots for $11,000 to average $5500.
Return and repeat volume buyers Red Stone Brahman Stud, Hillview Station, Hughenden, took home eight red heifers to gross $30,000 for an average of $3750.
True blue generosity was again shown at the conclusion of the sale, which saw a total of 71 straws average $197 sell for a complete clearance.
Topping at $950 per straw was Lot 94 Mr V8 Noble 458/7 (IMP US) (H) on account of the V8 Ranch- Brahman and Shorthorn Cattle.
With the generous donations of proceeds from heifers sold throughout the sale, along with the sale of the semen straws, a total amount of $22,000 was raised for the day. All proceeds will go to support the Cloncurry based Sisters of the North charity. Funds will be distributed throughout the north west flood affected communities.
Elders were the selling agents for the day.