A booming cattle market and exceptional seasonal conditions pushed prices to $13,000 at the annual Droughtmaster National Female Sale at Gympie on Saturday.
A total of 151 females averaged $3634 on the back of a solid clearance rate of 89 per cent and returned vendors $548,750.
In the breakdown, three cows and calves averaged $4500, 17 joined heifers averaged $3324 and 131 unjoined maidens averaged $3658.
Droughtmaster Society general manager Simon Gleeson said the turnaround in season was reflected by the strong prices with the sale well supported by the increased number of vendors.
Dave, Colleen and Mac Smith, Vale View Droughtmaster, Manumbar, sold the $13,000 top-priced unjoined heifer Vale View Cecilia 2 (P) to relative newcomers Judi Cullen and Ashley Tully, Granite Downs Droughtmasters, Warwick.
Judi Cullen said Cecilia had a real presence, great depth-of-body and plenty of loose skin, and will form an integral part in their stud building phase.
They also sold the $6000 equal top priced joined heifer, Vale View Beatrice 2 (P) to Roger and Jenny Underwood, Eversleigh and Wallace Vale studs, Pine Hills, Wallumbilla.
The 30-month-old heifer by Angle Zed Ferdinand was six months in-calf to Beef 2018 class winner Vale View M Gator and represents new blood for the Underwood's studs.
The calf she is carrying will be one of the first calves by VV Gator and the Underwoods are looking forward to the arrival with great anticipation.
It was a day out to remember for Dave and Colleen Smith as their six heifers averaged a rewarding $6333.
Also attracting the $6000 top joined heifer money was Major Golden Glow, the first calf of Hamadra Golden Girl which was seven months in-calf to High Country Freeland and was offered by Matt and Rebecca Brooks, Major Droughtmasters, Wivenhoe Pocket.
The attractive package was bought by Paul, Lisa, Steph and Michael Laycock, High Country Droughtmasters, Eskdale.
Matt and Rebecca Brooks sold three quality heifers for a healthy $5750 average.
Long-term vendors Brian and Yvonne Heck, Bryvonlea Droughtmasters, Glastonbury via Gympie, sold seven quality unjoined heifers for a creditable $5893 average and sold to $7250 for Bryvonlea Fancy Sarila (P) which was bought by Roger Webber, Tajana Droughtmasters, Cloyna.
Making a successful Gympie sale debut was John, Catherine and Anna Hicks, Billabong and Calaanah Droughtmaster studs, Moura, after clearing all their 10 unjoined maidens with their eight Billabong prefixes averaging $5625 and Anna's Calaanah pair averaging $7000.
Their $8500 top selling home-bred heifer, Billabong India 9236 (P), went to the Atkinson family, Katandra, Hughenden.
Andrew McKenzie, Hamadra stud, Bluff, also sold 10 unjoined heifers for a $5775 average with his $7500 top money heifer Hamadra Joy (P) selling to Nick and Sarah Hughes, Farogan Valley Droughtmasters, Upper Kandanga.
Two semen packages averaged $3000 with proceeds going to the Droughtmaster Foundation with supports their young members.
Agents: Elders and Nutrien Livestock.
