Friday 14th March, 2025
78 LOTS
46 Registered Bulls
32 Herd Bulls
2025 Sale Preview
Sale average liftes by $4,135
Stud and commercial producers from north west Queensland through to Beaudesert chased the variety of genetics on offer at the 34th annual Highlands Droughtmaster Sale on Friday, March 14, to see the average lift by $4,135.
At the fall of the hammer on Friday afternoon, 39 of 56 bulls sold for an average of $11,846, a lift of $4,135 on last year's $7,711 sale average.
The sale grossed $462,000 for a clearance of 70 per cent. After the sale, two unsold bulls were cleared, bringing the total bulls sold to 41 for a sale average of $11,512, 73pc clearance, on par with the 74pc last year, and gross of $472,000.
It was Sam and Jane Barton and family of Huntly Droughtmasters, Comet, that headlined the sale, with their polled sire prospect, Huntly Endorse, hitting the top price of $32,000 by way of a bid from Libby Ingram, Skye Droughtmasters, Skye, Alpha.This was up on the $29,000 top of last year.
Ms Ingram successfully purchased the bull after a bidding war with underbidder Lenny Bode, Percol Plains, McKinlay, who was active online through StockLive. Sired by Huntly Stable and out of Huntly 1048, the 26-month-old tipped the scales at 860 kilograms and measured 43 centimetres in scrotal circumference. He scanned 140 square centimetres for eye muscle area and 11mm and 8mm, respectively, for P8 and rib fats. Ms Ingram said it was their first time purchasing Huntly genetics. "We've been looking at the Huntly genetics for a while now and we were impressed with their direction," she said. "We thought (Huntly Endorse) was a fairly complete bull and he didn't have any faults, he was fully correct and good growth for age. "Ms Ingram said Huntly Endorse would join a herd of second calf heifers at their property, Skye, which was located between Alpha and Tambo.
Vendor Sam Barton, Huntly Droughtmasters, Comet, stated that Endorse closely resembled his sire, Huntly Stable. "Endorse has been stamped with his sire's attributes," Mr Barton said." (Endorse) is a carcase bull, with meat, softness, and balance. All of these attributes are what made us retain his sire, Huntly Stable."
Not far behind at $30,000 was Vale View M Legend, offered by 13-year-old Mac Smith, Vale View M Droughtmasters, Manumbar.
Secured by Shane and Wendy Perry, Strathfield Droughtmasters and Perry Pastoral Co, Fletchers Awl, Clermont, the 25-month-old was the heaviest bull in the sale at 925kg, and measured 41cm in the scrotum. The poll-horned bull was sired by Oasis A Mr Mint and out of Vale View Serendipity. He boasted an EMA of 143sq cm, and P8 and rib fats of 10mm and 7mm, respectively. Speaking on behalf of her son who was at school, Colleen Smith, Vale View Droughtmasters, said the bull had "great weight for age" and was out of a deceased dam, born in 2008, which had 13 progeny in total.
The Highlands Droughtmaster Sale "Two Peters Award", judged by Elgyn Knight, was also presented to Vale View Droughtmasters Stud.
A 29-month-old, horned and weighing 860kg, Huntly Escort was knocked down to Terry and Katherine Piggot, Aldinga Droughtmasters, Rolleston. Lenny Bode, Percol Plains, McKinlay, purchased Oasis Smokin Joe, the 24-month-old homozygous polled sire prospect online. Four volume buyers were recognised in the sale, each purchasing four bulls. John Atkinson of Glenavon Droughtmasters, Yaamba, at an average price of $10,250 average; the Bode family from Percol Plains, McKinlay, via Stocklive at $22,000 average; Dale Sibson at $8250 average; and Jumba Holdings at $5000 average.
As has been tradition for the Highlands sale, all vendors donated $50 from each bull sold. This year the recipient of this donation will be the Royal Flying Doctor Service. A total of $2050 was raised for the service.
Vendor averages:
Vale View, Manumbar: 6/7 bulls sold, $16,166 average.
Oasis, Rockhampton: 3/3 bulls sold, $18,000 average.
Karragarra, Emerald: 3/6 bulls sold, $14,666 average.
Calco, Rolleston: 3/4 bulls sold, $5333 average.
Almafi, Dingo: 1/3 bulls sold, $8000 average.
Redskin, Mornish: 6/7 bulls sold, $6000 average.
Huntly, Comet: 7/9 bulls sold, $16,142 average.
Strathfield, Clermont: 8/8 bulls sold, $10,125 average.
Kenlogan, Clermont: 2/5 bulls sold, $5000 average.
Skye Droughtmasters: 2/3 bulls sold, $6500 average
Extract from QCL; Ben Harden
