THE annual Cream Of The Crop Droughtmaster female sale, held at the Coolabunia Sale complex near Kingaroy on Saturday, saw a total of 106 lots sold to a top of $5500 to average $1827 with a clearance of 72pc.
The day also incorporated the dispersal of NSW stud, Ivanhoe Droughtmasters.
A breakdown of the Cream Of The Crop catalogue saw nine vendors sell 34 stud Droughtmaster females to a top of $5500 to average $2146 for joined and unjoined females with a clearance of 83 per cent clearance.
The Faris family's Ivanhoe dispersal sale saw 72 lots for a top of $5000 to average $1670 for 55 cow and calf lots, 34 unjoined heifers, four sires and 13 yearling bulls for a 67pc clearance.
The top priced female Nindethana Karina (P), a 17-month-old unjoined heifer, was offered by Bronwyn Betts Hawkins and Michael Hawkins, Nindethana Droughtmasters and sold for $5500.
They sold five unjoined females for an average of $3300 and also the second top price unjoined female for $4250.
Bronwyn Betts said in harrowing climatic conditions, they were proud of how well their females performed.
Buyer of the top priced female was seven-year-old Kobi Coulter of AAKKA Droughtmasters, Kilcoy and his dad, Chris said the purchase was all about the temperament.
The third top price unjoined heifer RSVP Pikelet (P) was sold by the Pickering family, RSVP Droughtmasters and bought by Joken Droughtmasters, Biloela for $4000.
RSVP Droughtmasters sold five unjoined heifers to average $2150.
Brian and Yvonne Heck, Bryvonlea Droughtmasters offered seven unjoined females for a average of $2320 and a top of $3000 for Bryvonlea Ivorie 1732 (P).
End of an era
It was a day of mixed emotions for Hugh and Helen Faris, Wee Waa, NSW as they dispersed their Droughtmaster stud.
Ivanhoe Droughtmasters sold 34 of 55 cow and calf units offered for an average of $2029 and a top of $5000 while 28 of the 34 unjoined heifers averaged $930 and topped at $2200. All four Ivanhoe bulls sold to average $2875 and six of the 13 yearling bulls sold to average $2292 with a top of $4125.
Peter Keating, Keating Pastoral, Monsildale bought a total of 15 females start a second Droughtmaster bloodline so he can "extend the life of his bulls".
Peter said that he had always known about the Ivanhoe stud and he had destocked 18 months ago due to the fear of the drought, so when the opportunity came up to get their genetics at good prices he knew it was time to extend his breeding herd.
"I have looked extensively at other breeds for my operation and for me there is no other breed to be considered, they birth well, walk to water well and are good foragers they and can handle harsh conditions," he said.
By the end of the evening all the Ivanhoe cattle sold.
"We are quite pleased as it could have been a real disaster due to the weather and it was good to see a lot of the heifers go to studs and we can see our genetics carry on," Mr Faris said.
"It would break my heart to see them go to a fat sale and we love to see them go to a good homes."
The Farises plan to take it quietly and retire for a while, spend more time with their granchildren and work out where to go from there.
Agents: GDL, Aussie Land and Livestock and Elite Livestock
