In a year when stud records just keep tumbling, today it was the Palgrove team who got to enjoy the rewards of all their hard work.
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Offering up what they described as "a pretty special group of bulls", the entire draft of 149 Charolais and Ultrablack sire prospects was sold for an overall average of $18,644.
The first record to fall was the stud's top price, with Palgrove Pioneer (P) (R/F) rocketing to a high of $64,000 early in the sale.
Purchased by Len and Sue Bode, Percol Plains, McKinlay, the 24-month-old entered the ring at 984 kilograms, had an eye muscle area of 144 square centimetres, and measured 42cm in the scrotal.
Sired by Silverstream Evolution (P) and from Palgrove Panache J1201E (R/F), the moderate-framed, easy-finishing bull had EBVs in the top 10 per cent of the breed for 400 and 600 day weights.
Mr Bode may not have been in the stands at the sale, but he certainly made his presence known - also securing the second-top priced bull at $55,000.
The aptly-named Palgrove Powerhouse (P) (R/F) was the heaviest entry in the catalogue, tipping the scales at 1050kg, with an EMA of 154sq cm, scrotal measurement of 41cm, and rib and rump fat of 10mm and 14mm.
Sired by Palgrove Kingston (P) (R/F) (ET), the 24-month-old homozygous poll is a combination of the best US, French and Australian bloodlines by way of Red Smoke, Impair, Viagra and the renowned Panache cow line.
The Bodes continued to open their chequebook, purchasing a total of five bulls for an average of $47,800 - all within the first few pages of the catalogue to see the first 10 bulls through the ring sell for a $35,300 average.
The support continued throughout the draft of 94 Charolais bulls to see Palgrove set a new breed record average of $19,622. Palgrove set the previous breed record average of $13,530 in 2006.
The success flowed over into the Ultrablack section of the catalogue, with 55 bulls selling for an average of $16,727 to set a new Palgrove and breed record average.
The first Ultrablack into the ring sold for an Australian breed record of $34,000.
Purchased by Brad and Vicki Hanson, Bullakeana Brangus, Moura, the 24.5-month-old Palgrove Primemover (P) is sired by Palgrove Kingpin K1250 - the previous top price record holder.
Tipping the scales at 918kg, the homozygous polled sire prospect had an EMA of 135sq cm, scrotal circumference of 42cm, rib and rump fat of 9mm and 13mm respectively, and an IMF of 6.2pc.
The next bull under the hammer, 24.5-month-old Palgrove Premiere (P), attracted the second-top price of $32,000.
Sired by MC Embassador 541Z15, the "textbook beef bull" was almost a carbon copy of his stablemate with a weight of 950kg, scrotal of 41cm, EMA of 138sq cm and IMF of 6.6pc.
Palgrove's Ben Noller said they were thankful for the support from both commercial and stud operators.
"The Ultrablacks were up over $10,000 on last year and we're just absolutely blown away by the support," he said.
"It's great to see the industry in such a positive space and people so confident in agriculture and beef and I think that's the most positive thing out of it.
"This group, we always knew were a pretty special group of bulls and I guess the timing, it was a good year to have them."
In what was David Bondfield's last sale as CEO before he steps into an advisory role within the business, it's a humbling result.
"We've had lots and lots of highlights along the way but this one really is the climax of what we breed and the acceptance of what we're doing," Mr Bondfield said.
"They went to five states, from WA to north Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, and New South Wales.
"The reputation of the cattlemen buying the bulls is really humbling and to know that we've always tried to be practical and breed the sort of cattle that are functional and profitable for the beef industry, this is a real endorsement that commercial producers are backing what we're doing.
"And for me stepping down from my role as CEO but staying with the company in an advisory role with Ben Noller with the seedstock and genetics, it's really pleasing to see this result and to be going forward from that is very exciting."
The sale was conducted by Elders, Nutrien, and George & Fuhrmann.
