TOUGH selling conditions continued on from 2014 at the North Queensland Droughtmaster Bull Sale held today at the Dalrymple Saleyards, Charters Towers.
While prices achieved were reasonable compared to current market values, a limited panel of buyers present at the sale led to some great quality Droughtmaster bulls being passed in.
A total of 28 Registered Sires sold for $112,000 to average $4000, topping at $7500 twice; while 11 herd bulls made $36,500 to average $3318.
In total 39 bulls sold for $148,500 to average $3807.69 with a clearance of 67 per cent.
Elders Rockhampton sale coordinator Brian Wedemeyer said while overall he was happy with the prices the bulls sold for, he was hoping for a better clearance rate.
“I would’ve expected more bulls to sell, there was some great quality in the sale draft,” he said.
“But times are tough at present which would explain why the buyer support this year was a bit light.
“Hopefully conditions will be much improved for the next sale.”
Jason Spann, Minlacowie Droughtmaster Stud, Goovigen, sold the equal top price bulls of the sale for $7500 each. Nine Minlacowie bulls sold for $49,000 giving the stud the highest vendor average on the day.
Mr Spann said while personally he was happy with achieving a full clearance and selling well, overall it’d been an up and down sale.
“It was definitely a buyer’s market, but hopefully with selling conditions slowly improving, vendors will soon be achieving the prices their cattle are actually worth in the not too distant future,” he said.
For photos from the sale, click on the photo below.
Lot 50 Minlacowie Senator 8127 (S) was the first to reach the $7500 high water mark, when he was purchased by commercial breeders Joe and Nola Noonan, Mackay.
Mr Noonan said he was very impressed with the 27 month old Senator’s length and conformation and had been counting down the bulls until it was his turn to enter the sale ring.
“I think he’ll be a great achiever over our females in our commercial operation,” he said.
Anthony Anderson, Eddington Droughtmasters, Julia Creek, purchased the second $7500 bull of the sale in Lot 56 Minlacowie Sabre 8147 (S).
Mr Anderson said he was rapt with the bulls’ overall body type, length, colouring and poll traits.
“He’s the complete package and also has a great temperament. I think he’ll do great things for our studs’ future potential,” he said.
Other vendors at the sale had mixed fortunes; Ken and Cindy Muller, KM Cattle Company, Biloela, sold 12 bulls for $39,000; Andrew and Sonya Harvey, Kenlogan Droughtmasters, Clermont, sold three head for $11,500; Alan, Elaine and Paul Lever, Leverdale Droughtmaster, Murray Upper, sold three bulls for $10,500; Rob and Ayla Scanlan Scanlan, Parawanga Droughtmasters, Flaggy Rock, sold three bulls for $8,000; Doug Miles, Trafalgar Droughtmasters, Mornish, sold three head for $10,500 and Greg and Donna Edwards, Wolfang Droughtmasters, Wowan, sold six head for $20,000.
Volume buyers at the sale included Anthony and Rachel Anderson, Eddington Droughtmasters, Julia Creek who took home a great draft of five bulls for $21,500, while Fletchervale Pastoral Company also purchased five quality bulls for $20,500.
Cairo Grazing Company, Clermont, picked up three bulls for $14,000, David Jones, Stawelton, took home a trio of bulls for $13,500, and Jenny Reid, Reidies Queensland, Hughenden, bid well in purchasing three bulls for $8,500.
Chief executive officer for Droughtmaster Australia, Neil Donaldson, gave the opening address at the sale and said through thick and thin it was important that the sale continued to be held into the future.
“This is the birthplace of the Droughtmaster breed and I think it’s important to maintain that connection with the roots of the breed,” Mr Donaldson said.
“While the cattle market is improving, prices are currently still where they should have been for the past four or five years. There is still a long way to go before confidence in the market fully re-emerges, but we’re getting there slowly but surely,” he said.