Artesian Droughtmaster Sale hits record $12,505 average in 2021

In total, six central Queensland-based studs sold 85 bulls, to represent a clearance rate of 100 per cent and strong average of $12,505.

It was the Donaldson family of Medway Droughtmaster stud, Bogantungan, who headlined the sale, with Medway Dardanelles (P) selling to the Barnes family of Waylanbar Droughtmaster stud for $32,500.

Sired by Medway Alcala (P) and out of Medway 14264F (P), the 23-month-old sire prospect tipped the scales at 875 kilograms and measured 39 centimetres in scrotal circumference.

He scanned 135 square centimetres for eye muscle area and 11mm and 8mm, respectively, for P8 and rib fats.

Medway stud principal Hamilton Donaldson said the sire was a "standout" son of first-season sire Medway Alcala.

"Dardanelles is a poll bull with tremendous volume through the quarter, with exceptional spring of rib and length of body," Mr Donaldson said.

"It's exciting to see him go to a quality herd of cattle at Waylanbar and he'll complement the Glenlands Utopia females that are ever consistent.

"The artesian sale continues to grow from strength to strength and we're proud to be involved, and present quality droughtmaster to the central west."

The Donaldson family of Surbiton South, Alpha, secured the second-top price bull, Western Red Okey Dokey (P) for $22,500, offered by Dean and Julie Allen, Tarcombe, Longreach.

The 24-month-old sire prospect weighed in at 820kg, and measured 40cm in the scrotum. He boasted an EMA of 135sq cm, and P8 and rib fats of 12mm and 8mm, respectively.

The Donaldson family Medway Droughtmasters, Bogantungan, sold 32 bulls to average $13,515, with Medway Dardanelles selling for $32,500 to Waylanbar Droughtmasters, Emerald.

Dean and Julie Allen of Western Red Droughtmasters, Tarcombe, Longreach, sold nine bulls to average $14,833, with their top sire Western Red Okey Dokey selling for $22,500.

Ken and Kerry McKenzie of Yaralla Droughtmasters, Yaralla, Blackwater, sold 15 bulls to average $12,125, with their top bull Yaralla Badger selling for $21,000 to Len Bode, Percol Plains, McKinlay.

Gus and Jen McCormack of Clonlara Droughtmasters, Dilga, Glenmorgan, sold 10 bulls to average $9,400, with Clonlara 20361 selling for $16,000 to Reynella Grazing, Charleville.

Darren and Helen Childs of Glenlands D Droughtmasters, Dianne Downs, Theodore, sold nine bulls to average $13,222, topping at $16,000 three times with Glenlands D 7694 selling to Hourne and Bishop, Glenlands D 7712 selling to Len Bode, Percol Plains, McKinlay and Glenlands D 5317 selling to Curran Family, Tallyrand, Longreach.

Paul and Paula Russell of Locarno Droughtmasters, Locarno, Dingo, sold nine bulls to average $10,000, topping at $14,000 twice for Locarno Princeton to Malden Grazing, Alpha and Locarno Ponting selling to Ashley Smith, Strathroy, Hughenden.

Bulk buying honours went to the O'Sullivan family of Jumba, Charters Towers, who purchased 11 bulls.

Unlike most sales, 10 per cent of the proceeds of a select bull from each vendor is donated to the Rural Flying Doctors Service, with vendors this year donating $7500 to the service.

In ten years of supporting the RDFS, the Artesian team have donated $33,850 to the not-for-profit organisation.

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