Mud and rain couldn't hide the potential of the bulls offered at the Kandanga Valley Charolais and Charbray sale on Saturday.
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John and Roz Mercer offered 103 bulls on-property at Warravale, Kandanga, achieving a 100 per cent clearance rate and an average of $7505.
Demand from central, western and south east Queensland culminated in 82 bid cards being registered and fast-paced bidding throughout the catalogue to hit a top price of $16,000.
The Pampling family, Derbyshire Downs, Augathella, once again outlaid the top money, securing Kandanga Valley Passova for their commercial operation.
At 23 months of age, the ANC Lingo son entered the ring weighing 790 kilograms, with an eye muscle area of 135 square centimetres and scrotal circumference of 39cm.
Out of a Kandanga Valley Zergo (P) daughter, Kandanga Valley Festival F76E, the sire prospect boasted P8 and rib fat depths of 10mm and 8mm, respectively, with an intramuscular fat of 5.3pc and semen progressive motility of 85pc.
They also paid the third-top price of $15,000 to round out their draft, purchasing 23-month-old Kandanga Valley Petey (P).
A son of Kandanga Valley Jericho (P/S), the bull weighed 820kg and had a 38cm scrotal circumference, 138sq cm EMA, 5.4pc IMF, and P8 and rib fat depths of 11mm and 8mm.
The second-top price of $15,500 came late in the Charolais draft when the Ensby family, Kandanga, secured 21-month-old Kandanga Valley Palau.
Also sired by Kandanga Valley Jericho (P/S), the red factor bull weighed 745kg, had a scrotal measurement of 38.5cm, EMA of 123sq cm, and IMF of 5.7pc, with semen progressive motility of 85pc.
The Charolais portion of the catalogue finished with an average of $7381, and set the stage for fierce bidding in the Charbray lots.
A top price of $14,000 was achieved twice, both times for sons of Ekka grand champion bull, Kandanga Valley Jesuit.
Surawski Farming, Carneys Creek, came out on top to secure Kandanga Valley Peeper. At 27 months of age, the bull weighed 840kg and had a scrotal circumference of 38cm, IMF of 5.2pc, and EMA of 134sq cm.
Two lots later, Neilsen Pastoral Holdings, Blackwater, purchased 19-month-old Kandanga Valley Prominence.
At 720kg, the sire prospect had a 38.5cm scrotal circumference, EMA of 133sq cm and P8 and rib fat depths of 9mm and 6mm.
Long-standing clients Greg and Shirley Callander, Colston Park, Sarina, were the top volume buyers, purchasing nine Charbray bulls to a top of $13,500 and an average of $9111.
The 38 Charbray lots achieved the highest sale average by breed, of $8000.
The Mercers also offered six Red Angus yearling bulls, all snapped up by an AuctionsPlus bidder for a top of $10,000 and an average of $5583.
Mr Mercer said it was pleasing to see such a "marvelous crowd of people" in attendance, and said the day "culminated in something very special".
Read the full report in the next edition of Queensland Country Life.
