Friday 15th March, 2024
76 LOTS
47 Registered Bulls
29 Herd Bulls
2021 Sale Preview
Huntly Bull hits $32,500 at Highlands Sale in 2021
STRONG reputation and quality sires drew strong crowd numbers to the 30th anniversary Highlands Droughtmaster bull sale in Clermont, reaching a top of $32,500.
Eleven renowned Droughtmaster vendors offered an impressive line-up of 69 bulls for a 97 per cent clearance, to average $9164 and gross $628,500.
The Barton family, Huntly Droughtmasters, Comet, attracted the top price this year, selling Huntly Aristocrat (P), for $32,500 to local buyers Shane and Wendy Perry, Strathfield Droughtmasters, Clermont.
A sought-after son of Redskin Fitzroy (H) and a Huntly Jedda (P) dam, the 29-month-old sire weighed in at 970kg, with an EMA of 140sq cm.
Buyer Shane Perry, Perry Pastoral Co, Strathfield Droughtmasters, Clermont, said he was interested in Redskin Fitzroy’s genetics for a while and waited for the right time to purchase one of his sons.
Many foundation and repeat clients were in attendance on the day, along with some new buyers.
Top price bull Huntly Aristocrat (P) sold for $32,500 and is pictured with Elders’ Brian Wedemeyer, vendor Sam Barton, Huntly Droughtmasters, Comet, buyer Shane Perry, Strathfield Droughtmasters, Clermont and Elders’ Jake Kennedy, Clermont. Photo: Ben Harden.
“I was very interested in Sam Barton’s cattle and this was one of the best bulls I’ve seen of his stock and that’s why I purchased him today,” Mr Perry said.
“The bull had the volume, capacity, and overall length of body, coupled with an excellent sheath and ample bone.
“The bull’s head is where it really got the big points for me; it’s big, broad muzzle and plenty width between the eyes.”
The Perrys are Clermont locals and run a stud and commercial operation with 200 registered Droughtmaster females and 800 commercial cows at their Fletchers Awl property.
“We’re one of the original vendors, we’re also a foundation stud with over 60 years of breeding in the Droughtmaster world,” he said.
“This sale was really wonderful, I’ve been talking to the buyers after and they’re happy with the purchases they made and obviously the vendors are really happy with the averages and how the sale went.”
The Strathfield stud averaged $9650, selling ten bulls.
Huntly Droughtmasters stud principal Sam Barton described it as a perfect sale for the stud.
“We had good return buyers that have come from across the Highlands and further afield, and I’m really happy with how it all turned out,” Mr Barton said.
“Shane and I have been great supporters of each other’s cattle over the years traditionally, and we’ve had a few duels on buying sires ourselves.
“Shane was very interested when I bought this bull’s sire.”
Sam’s father Peter Barton was one of the foundation members and has been selling bulls at the sale for 30 years.
“We’re a commercial and a stud [operation] and my father has been breeding bulls for 50 years or more,” he said.
Sale highlights
Second-top price honours went to the Geddes family with Oasis Pablo (P) selling for $32,000 to the Horn family at Springsure.
A son of Oasis Winchester (S) and Oasis Violet (P), the young sire prospect was backed by impressive figures at 28 months of age, boasting a weight of 960kg with an EMA of 145sq cm.
Next in line was the Donaldson family with Medway Connoisseur (S), who sold for $18,000 to Furt Cooper, Nebo.
At just 25 months, the son of Glenavon Murdoch (H) and Medway Xana (D) weighed in at 755kg and had an EMA of 126sq cm.
Many foundation and repeat clients were in attendance on the day, along with some new buyers.
Vendor Averages
The Geddes family, Oasis Droughtmasters, Emerald, sold five bulls to top at $32,000, with an average of $13,800.
Hastings and Sandra Donaldson and family, Medway Droughtmasters, Bogantungan, sold 10 bulls to top at $18,000, with an average of $8650.
Peter Bauer, Warrina Droughtmasters, Ravenshoe, sold three bulls to top at $6000, with an average of $4667.
The Rutherford family, Redskin Droughtmasters, Morinish, sold six bulls to top at $16,000, with an average of $11,000.
Warren and Carolyn Kenny, Wajatryn Droughtmasters, Gayndah, sold two bulls to top at $12,000, with an average of $10,500.
The Kennys also sold one Wetheron bull at $6000.
The Barton family, Huntly Droughtmasters, Struan, Comet, sold nine bulls to top at $32,500, with an average of $11,611.
Wayne and Ingrid York, Karragarra Droughtmasters, Emerald, sold eight bulls to top at $14,000, with an average of $8562.
Kenlogan Proprietors, Clermont, sold three bulls to top at $8,000, with an average of $7833.
Aleisha Finger, Almafi Droughtmasters, Inga Downs, Dingo, sold six bulls to a top of $8500, with an average of $6583.
Shane and Wendy Perry, Perry Pastoral Co, Strathfield Droughtmasters, Clermont, sold ten bulls to top at $18,000, with an average of $9650.
Ryan and Chloe Hodgkinson, Cairo Droughtmasters, Clermont, sold five bulls to top at $10,000, with an average of $6700.
Bulk Buyers
Bulk buying honours of the day went to four operations.
Rostron Grazing, The Groves, Alpha, purchased eight bulls with a top of $13,000 for an average of $6712.
The Horn family, Springsure, purchased six bulls, which included a top price of $32,000, averaging $13,167.
The Power family, Julia Creek, purchased six bulls, which included a top price of $16,000, averaging $10,333.
Stratford Grazing, Stratford Station, Mt Coolon, purchased six bulls, which included a top price of $10,000, averaging $7417.
Article credit: Ben Hardon, Queensland Country Life Rockhampton