A Charolais/Droughtmaster-cross herd bull was the pick of the pack at the annual MAGS bull sale in Charters Towers today.
The number of buyers was down on previous years, with 66 bulls selling to gross $474,000 to average $7180 with a clearance rate of 85 per cent.
Lamont Eze 927 (P) from vendors Mac and Gayle Shann, Lamont Stud, Cantaur Park, Clermont, topped the sale at $26,000.
Harry and Sue Shann, and son Berry, Suttor Grazing Company, Myall Springs, Collinsville, placed the winning bid to secure the 26-month-old Charolais bull.
Eze 927, a son of Moongool K630 out of a Lamont Droughtmaster cow, weighed 942kg, had a scrotal circumference of 38 centimetres and an eye muscle area of 146 square centimetres.
In all, a total of 13 Charolais-cross herd bulls grossed $139,490 to average $10,730.
Suttor Grazing Company also purchased the second highest priced bull and top priced Droughtmaster for $16,000, also offered by Mac and Gayle Shann.
The 24-month-old entered the ring weighing 900kg, had a scrotal circumference of 42cm and an eye muscle area of 135 sq cm.
A total of 21 Droughtmaster herd bulls grossed $129,045 to average $6145.
The top priced Droughtmaster registered bull was Lamont Randall (836), a 27-month-old scurred bull, sired by Lamont Muligan and offered by Mac and Gayle Shann.
Randall, who entered the ring weighing 780kg, sold for $15,500 to Eddie Maxwell, Crown M Droughmasters, Nelia.
In all, 32 registered Droughtmaster sires grossed $205,440 to average $6420.
Volume buyer of the sale was Rob Durkin, Kalarah Cattle Company, Beenboona Station, Clermont, who purchased eight Droughmaster bulls to average $6400.
Buyers came from Central Queensland, Ingham, Home Hill, Clermont, Alpha, Atherton Tablelands, Mount Surprise, Julia Creek and local areas.
But sale agent Ken McCaffrey, McCaffrey's Australian Livestock Marketing, said attendance at the sale was down on previous years.
"The sale attendance was back, particularly from traditional buyers from north west Queensland," Mr McCaffrey said.
"There was very good strong interest on the Charolais/Droughtmaster-cross bulls.
"The agents were hoping for a little more support from buyers requiring volume numbers."
The bulls were sold on behalf of three vendors: Mac and Gayle Shann, Lamont Stud, Cantaur Park, Clermont; Kylie Graham and Mat Durkin, Mungalla Stud, Farnham, Taroom and Alison Atkinson, Durack Stud, Frenchville, Rockhampton.
Agents: McCaffrey's Australian Livestock Marketing and Geaney's.