It was a performance worthy of the record books when the Russell family's Locarno line-up went under the hammer at the Droughtmaster National Female Sale on Saturday.
Offering six quality heifers in their first appearance at the sale, the stud not only achieved the top and second-top prices, but also set a new sale record in the process.
The notion of 'first time's a charm' was cemented when their leading lady, Locarno Piper (S), entered the ring.
Much like her namesake, Piper captivated and entranced the buyer's gallery, to reach a crescendo of $29,000.
Sired by Heitiki Kidman (P) and out of Locarno Larissa (P), the 16-month-old was purchased by Coralyn and Rowan Smith, Smithy's Droughtmasters, Warwick.
When asked why they bought Piper, Mr Smith said a better question would be "why not buy her"?
"When you looked at her, she had everything - length, skin type is second-to-none, and feminine," he said.
"She was clean underneath, above average level of bone, good muscling, nice width of body; we were trying to find faults with her and when you couldn't find a fault, you knew she was a good heifer."
The first time they've bought Locarno genetics, Mr Smith said Piper would be going into an embryo transfer program.
"We haven't gone down that path before so it's going to be the start for what we do, and try and get those genetics across our herd a bit more."
Missing out on the top heifer, Johnathon and Zoe Campbell, Riversleigh Cattle Co, in partnership with Ian and Katrina Bebbington, Mountview Droughtmasters, Ramsay, paid the second-top price of $18,000 to take home Locarno Pepe (P).
Sired by Locarno Kracker (P) and from Locarno Kimberly (P), the 14-month-old joined the partnership's other purchase, the $13,000 Wallace Vale Kristina (P) from Roger and Jenny Underwood.
"The whole line of Locarnos were a little bit of a step above the others and she was a standout heifer," Mr Campbell said.
"We come to the sale to try and buy the heifers we want and sometimes you just have to pay the money to buy those topline heifers."
Surpassing the previous record top price of $18,000 - achieved in 2013 when Brian and Yvonne Heck, Bryvonlea stud, Glastonbury, sold Bryvonlea Jemma 2 - and averaging $15,167 made it worth the nine hour drive, Locarno principal Paul Russell said.
"It's awesome for our first time - we just wanted to promote our females, but it was certainly worth the drive," he said.
Speaking of the top heifer, Mr Russell said he hadn't expected her to make that much money.
"Everyone was looking at her and I thought maybe $10,000 or $12,000, but you never know," he said.
"She's the sort of heifer I think would look awesome with a calf, and will grow into a nice cow."
Success spanning 40 years
Celebrating 40 years of selling in 2021, the sale result was a fitting reflection of the breed's growth and continued success.
Overall, 126 females sold to represent a 99 per cent clearance rate, average $5643 and gross $711,000.
Broken down, all five joined females were sold to average $5900, and 121 of 122 unjoined females averaged $5632 for a 99pc clearance.
Droughtmaster Australia sales and events manager Leigh Eleison said the sale was evidence of the positive growth for the breed.
"The average is $2000 up on last year," she said, putting the increase down to several factors.
"The Droughtmaster breed is moving forward, everyone is growing more confident in Droughtmaster and also the great season and cattle prices.
"But we are also getting a lot of new members joining up and there were a lot of new members buying today, which is very promising."
- Selling agents: SBB/GDL, Nutrien Livestock, and Elders, interfaced through Elite Livestock Auctions.
Full report in next week's Queensland Country Life.
