DROUGHTMASTER records have been rewritten with bulls selling to a top of $160,000 to average $12,000 at the Droughtmaster National Sale at CQLX Gracemere on Tuesday.
Sale topper was the 21-month-old homozygous polled Rondel Whiskey, snapped in a three-way stud buy by the High Country, Nindethana Pastoral and Glenlands D studs.
Described as a 'one of the better sires of the year', Whiskey entered the sale ring weighing 836kg, and had a 142 square centimetre eye muscle area, and a 39cm scrotal measurement. The long, deep bull was also recorded with 14mm of fat at the P8, 9mm of fat at the rib, and 4.4 per cent of intramuscular fat.
Whiskey will be immediately relocated to the High Country, where he will be collected for use in this year's breeding season, then reside at Nindethana for the commencement of the season.
Paul Laycock, High Country Droughtmasters, Eskdale, bid on behalf of the syndicate.
"The value we saw in the genetics of this potential sire is based on an incredible female line and consistency in the progeny," Mr Laycock said.
"The Carrington family at Rondel have been strong in the industry for a long time and this gave us confidence in this large investment.
"With the introduction of these genetics into the three herds, this will ensure this sire will have a lasting impact across the industry."
Second top price of $70,000 was paid by Roger and Jenny Underwood, Eversleigh and Wallace Vale Droughtmasters, Wallumbilla, for Bundy Ironstone (P), offered by Bundy Droughtmasters. The exceptionally well conformed 30-month-old PP bull had a 140sq cm EMA, 46cm scrotal, and 5.4pc intramuscular fat.
Aldinga Pastora Company, Aldinga Park, Rolleston, paid $60,000 for the 22-month-old polled sire Redskin Longbrew by Ridgie Didge Beersonme. Offered by the Rutherford family, Redskin, Morinish, the 780kg sire had a 12mm and 10mm fat measurements and a 126sq cm EMA.
The Glenlands Utopia bred polled bull Waylander Hercules presented by Wayne and Lana Barnes, Emerald, sold for $55,000 to Ashton Price, Coolibah, Moura.
Volume buyers included Dart Pastoral Company, Springbok, Injune, with 14, and the Glenmore Downs Farming Company, Clermont, the Angus family, Dawson Vale, Charters Towers, Leon and Ree Price, Mount Hope, Wallumbilla, and Wotonga Grazing Company, Nebo, which all took six. The Hodgkinson family, Cairo Cattle Company, Clermont, and Junction Park Cattle Company, Baralaba, both took five.
Cairo's purchases included Mac and Gayle Shann's 26-month-old polled bull Lamont Sylvester for $35,000.
La Shae Droughtmasters, Illuka, Taroom, bought Brian and Yvonne's Heck Bryvonlea Thor for $34,000. The 26-month-old two-tooth had a 147sq cm EMA.
The Hicks family, Keilambete, Ruby Vales, paid $31,000 for the horned bull Oasis Icon, offered by Noel and Robyn Geddes, Oasis, Wandal.
The Kinbacher family, Garthowen, Biggenden, sold the well credentialed Garthowen Avalanche 3 for $30,000. The 25-month-old with a 141sq cm EMA by Locarno Lenny (P) went to the Needmor Family Trust, Rookwood, Gogango.
The 24-month-old Billabong-JC Inglis went to Medway Grazing, Gemfields, for $30,000. Offered by the Hicks family, Billabong, Moura, the Winchester bred bull had a 138sq cm EMA.
Sam Barton, Huntly, Clermont, paid $26,000 for the 19-month-old Skye Finance offered by Skye Cattle Company, Alpha. Bred from Calaanah Abraham, the polled bull had a 44cm scrotal measurement.
By the end of Day One, 206 of the 209 bulls auctioned had sold, achieving an average of $12,000 to gross $2.474 million.
Selling continues on Wednesday.