Vendor John Atkinson summed up the 35th annual CAP Droughtmaster sale as a "buyers market" at Gracemere on Thursday, as the spring sale once again saw a line-up of ready to work, commercially-focused bulls sell to new and long-standing clients.
Mr Atkinson, Glenavon Droughtmasters, Yaamba, along with Karen and Duncan Geddes, CMC stud, Springsure, collectively sold the 60 bulls drafted for the sale to return a 100 per cent clearance and average $7960.
This year's result saw a slight decrease from the 2020 sale average, which Mr Atkinson attributed to the current market conditions.
Glenavon Droughtmasters averaged $7018 from the 54 head sold, while Duncan and Karen Geddes, CMC stud, sold six bulls to average $4500.
Top dollars for the sale came late in the day with the 19-month-old herd bull Glenavon 4081 (PP) sold for $30,000 to return buyers Ken and Kerry McKenzie, Yaralla Droughtmasters, Bluff.
The young bull was described as a bull with a beautiful head, who attracted the eye of many buyers leading into the sale.
Sired by Sugerland Jimmy and out of a Glenavon stud cow, the sire prospect stepped into the sale arena weighing 640 kilograms, with a scrotal circumference of 35cm, 127 square centimetre eye muscle area and P8 and rib measurements of 7mm and 5mm.
Kerry McKenzie said the bull caught their eye for his sire appeal and "a nice little something there that grabbed our attention".
"We were chasing that strong head and good through the back."
The new addition to the Yaralla stud will go out to Bluff initially to be used over a selection of heifers.
Ken and Kerry McKenzie also purchased Glenavon Xerus (P), a son of Garthowen Velocity for $17,000.
Taking home second-top price honours was Glenavon Xneo (P), who was knocked down for $28,000 to new volume buyers, the Parkinson Family, 8PK Cattle Company, Tiny Downs, Middlemount.
Xneo, who is sired by Christmas Creek 1521 (P) and out of dam Glenavon 2618 (P), was added to the line-up of six bulls purchased on the day by Brett Christie, TopX Central Queensland, on behalf of 8PK Cattle Company.
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Xneo tipped the scales at 706kg at 22 months of age, and recorded a 128sq cm EMA, 41cm for the scrotal measurement, and P8 and rib fat figures of 11mm and 7mm.
Mr Christie said the Glenavon bulls were recognised for their longevity.
"They last in the herd for 10 years and you kill them in age," he said.
"They do their 10 to 12 years of life work.
"It was a bull buyers market today, with extremely good value," Mr Christie went on to say.
Mr Christie, who has been buying Glenavon bulls for several years, was also buying on behalf of several other bulk buyers.
These included Coobyanger, Clermont, who placed an order for five bulls to average $9200, as well as Kerry O'Sullivan, Cherwell Rural Investments, Clermont, purchasing five for an average of $5000.
High priced ticket sales included Glenavon Xavier (PP) selling to Duncan and Karen Geddes,Telemon, Springsure, for $22,000, and Glenavon Xylus (P) - another son of Garthowen Velocity - who sold for $26,000 to the Geddes Family, Oasis A Droughtmasters, Bauhinia Ridge, Dingo.
Long-standing repeat buyers Bill and Maxine Cragg, Mourindilla, Dingo, were in attendance for another year and loyally added to their herd another six bulls to average $5333.
John and Susan Sparrow, North Tullamore, Alpha, placed an order for five bulls to average $5200.
- Selling agent: Elders Rockhampton.
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