The Western Downs Santa sale, held in Dalby on Friday, surpassed vendor expectations in tough seasonal conditions for a top of $30,000 and a $6,280 average.
Out of the 68 bulls on offer, 50 sold for a clearance of 74 per cent. While the clearance was down, the average was up by $603 per head compared to last year's sale.
While some regular buyers were missing from the event, new faces also turned out to pick out some quality sires.
Reaching the top price of $30,000, the best in the sale's three-year history, was Warrillee M52 (PS), offered by the Beutel family, Bunburra and bought by Ken Pezet, Ard-Na-Ree, Charleville.
A son of Wave Hill G52 from Warrillee I118, the two-year-old bull weighed 872kg, with an eye muscle area of 130 sq cm, 40.5cm scrotal circumference, P8 and rib fat of 12mm each, intramuscular fat of 5.3pc, semen motility of 80pc and morphology of 76pc.
Jeff Beutel said it was the best result the family had had in 39 years of breeding stud cattle.
The next top price of $12,000 was reached by two bulls, with the first Triple S Playboy P16 (P), who sold for $12,000 to Yulgilbar Pastoral Co, Baryulgil, NSW.
Also selling for $12,000 was Denngal Nelson N38 (PS), who sold for $12,000 to Enniskillen Pastoral Co, Blackall.
Next up in price were two $11,000 bulls, Denngal Nitro N11 (PS) who sold to R and M Hayes, Cambooya and Triple S Predictable P26 (P), who sold for $11,000 to the Allan and Kelly Walker, Bell, who also bought the $9500 Dennegal Nixon N3 (P) and the $8,500 Triple S Podcast P46 (P).
Glen Leigh Nightshade N176 (P) sold for $9,500 to R Kelly Family Trust, while four bulls made $9000 each- Triple S Priceless (P) sold to Oakdale Pastoral, Glen Leigh Nutcracker N156 (PS) sold to Gyranda stud, Dundee 256 (P) sold to Dunlop Cattle Co and Triple S Paprika P6 (P) sold to Daandine Pastoral Co.
Volume buyer Consuelo Cattle Company, Rolleston, bought six bulls for $3500 each.
Agents: GDL
