The dust has settled on a hugely successful run of national sales at Central Queensland Livestock Exchange for 2020.
Record results were the norm, reflecting the quality genetics on offer, the strong demand no matter the breed, and the confidence within the beef industry.
Last week, the site played host to the largest bull sale in the Southern Hemisphere, with 793 red and grey sires going through the ring at the Rockhampton Brahman Week Sale.
The logistics of such an event - even without the added pressure of meeting COVID-19 restrictions - wouldn't be for the faint of heart, but CQLX operations manager Rick Kernke said the team is committed to providing an atmosphere that is second to none.
"CQLX are very proud of how the site and sales have performed this year," he said.
"The CQLX team is a very close group and we all gain a great deal of satisfaction and accomplishment when the site presents and functions as well as it did."
Key to stud events running smoothly was the decision by the CQLX team to step up the consultation process this year.
"Many hours of planning and preparation takes place to ensure we are ready to go, the site is clean and presents well, and we have all the hay and feed ready to serve the livestock owners," Mr Kernke said.
"The CQLX operational team pride themselves on their cattle handling skills and treat all the livestock as if they are their own."
It's these efforts that have seen the site set itself apart from other saleyards and cement the notion that it is the best place to hold national sales.
"The site has had a focus over the last two years to not only provide the best facility to host a stud sale, but the best facility to create an event around these sales," Mr Kernke said.
"The sale meet and greet events have been a great success this year and the atmosphere provided by the team is second to none.
"The CQLX team also work closely with the sales committees and agents to deliver the best possible sale we can, and this l feel is our biggest point of difference to all other sites."
StockLive a game changer for stud sales
Mr Kernke said the StockLive platform has been another key element in increasing the user experience at CQLX.
"StockLive has allowed us to integrate both the online world with the live action and we feel it provides a better online experience than any other platform on the market," he said.
"Prior to the sales, StockLive spend time building relationships and communicating with agents and societies to ensure well rounded preparation for the sales."
Mr Kernke said during the Brahman Week Sale, StockLive fielded online bids from users on 66 lots over the three days.
"There were 82 logged in buyers from Queensland, WA, Victoria and New South Wales, with 3883 viewers," he said.
"They facilitated the sale of 21 bulls for a total of $190,500, with the highest online purchase being $40,000."