The 34th annual CAP Droughtmaster sale once again brought together an offering of proven commercially-focused bulls, drawing strong competition at Gracemere on Thursday.
Vendors John Atkinson, Glenavon Droughtmasters, Yaamba, along with Karen and Duncan Geddes, CMC stud, Springsure, drafted an extremely even line-up of heavily muscled, growthy and mainly polled sires through the sale arena at CQLX.
The CAP sale stacked up to the solid central Queensland bull sale season so far, with results delivering an average of $10,341 for the 63 bulls sold, for a final clearance of 89 per cent.
Bulls saw a healthy increase in average from the 2019 sale results by more than $5600, and more impressively, the first ten bulls through the ring averaged $18,500.
Temperament was the key word of the day with first-time buyer Libby Ingram, Skye Cattle Co, Alpha, laying down top dollar of $65,000 for Glenavon Weston (S) offered by John Atkinson of the Glenavon prefix.
A son of Garthowen Velocity (P) and dam Glenavon 1694, at just 22-months-old Weston ticked all the boxes.
Weighing in at 870 kilograms, Weston had a scrotal circumference of 40 cm, 150 square centimetre eye muscle area and P8 and rib measurements of 12mm and 9mm, with both his phenotype and figures making the agents work hard as bids came in fast.
"He fit the bill, with a lot of length and growth for age. He is good down his back and through to his hindquarter; he's just a young bull who is really quiet," Libby Ingram said post sale.
"He will go on to do big things."
Second-top price honors came early in the draft with Glenavon 3679 (S) sold for $45,000 to Huntly Droughtmasters, Clermont, and Medway Droughtmasters, Bogantungan, collectively.
Glenavon 3679 was sired by Redskin Eagle Hawk (H) and out of Glenavon 2387 (P).
Tipping the scales at 900kg at 31 months of age, the bull recorded a 147sq cm EMA, 41cm for the scrotal measurement and P8 and rib fat figures of 14mm and 10mm.
"Today was very humbling in that a lot of bulls have gone back to people who have been buying our bulls for up to forty years," Mr Atkinson said.
"On top of that, we had a lot of new clientele present today and it is great to see these cattle going into herds that I know they will get every opportunity to perform to their full potential for these industry leaders.
"That is the part that makes me really happy."
Duncan and Karen Geddes, CMC stud, sold seven bulls in the draft to average $7142.
Topping at $9000 three times for the CMC line-up saw CMC Ignition (P) sell to Lucas Cattle Co, Alton Downs; CMC Holt (P) purchased by Doug Miles of Trafalgar Cattle Co, Morinish; and CMC Infinity (P) found a new home in CQ with Talgai Grazing.
Sale highlights included Glenavon Whistler (S) who was snapped up by long-term supporter Ken Rutherford, Redskin Droughtmasters, Morinish, for $40,000.
Another son of Garthowen Velocity, Glenavon Why No (P) sold to Leverdale Red Brahmans, Tully, Far North Queensland, for $30,000.
Glenavon Winchester (PP) was snapped up by Westonvale Droughtmasters, Gladstone, for $30,000.
The Kinbacher family, Garthowen Droughtmasters, Biggenden, showed their support with the purchase of Glenavon Whiplash (P) for $28,000.
Volume and repeat buyers Bill and Maxine Cragg, Mourindilla, Dingo - who have been purchasing bulls since 1978 - put together a line of five bulls to average $5000.
Other bulk buyers were the Christensen family, Biloela, who picked six head to average $4000, along with Aroa Downs Grazing, Clermont, who took home four bulls for an $8000 average.
Sale agent Anthony Ball, Elders, said it was a very good line of bulls to begin the sale, which was reflected in the top price, along with an exceptionally strong average.
"Buyers want beefy animals and this was on display today," he said.
"The confidence of the industry was reflected in the results."
- Selling Agent: Elders Rockhampton