Queensland Country Life - Droughtmaster National Bull Sale 2017 records strong average

Archie and Adam Geddes, Oasis Droughtmasters, Emerald, with the top price bull from the Geddes family, Oasis Dundee. Picture: Kelly Butterworth

DEMAND for quality Droughtmaster bulls outshone tough seasonal conditions across the state with the breed's National Bull Sale at Gracemere on Tuesday and Wednesday recording an average of $9761, up on last year.

In total 488 of 521 bulls sold to record a 92 per cent clearance and a gross of $4,763,500.

That was compared with the 2016 sale results of an average of $9596, a clearance of 98 per cent and a top of $80,000.

It was lot 294, Oasis Dundee, from vendors Noel and Robyn Geddes, Oasis Droughtmasters, Emerald, who topped the sale from the first day at $135,000 to Mac and Gayle Shann, Lamont Droughtmasters, Clermont. 

The 22-month-old AI polled grandson of Lamont Inmate was the only purchase for the couple who sell Droughtmaster bulls at their family's private sale, where the Geddes purchased Inmate.

Mac was preparing for a fishing trip while Gayle secured Dundee, a bull she said was the complete package and an animal you didn't come across very often. 

She said it was his muscling and sire appeal she admired most in the bull.

The second top price bull was lot 480, Garthowen Xavier 2, from the Kinbacher family, Garthowen Droughtmasters, Biggenden, who was purchased for $78,000 by the McCormack family, Clonlara Droughtmasters, Glenmorgan.

That price was almost eclipsed by lot 545, Oasis A Thurston, bred by Adam Geddes, Rosels, Emerald, who sold for $75,000 to Munda Reds, Gingin, Western Australia, loosing bidders on the second top price bull.

Their truck was heading home with some precious cargo after purchasing another three bulls from Hamadra, Huntly and Garthowen. 

In total their four bulls averaged $38,000. 

Not far behind those prices was lot 62, SC Leeroy, offered by the Farmer family, SC Droughtmasters, Canoona, and sold for $60,000 to Kylie Graham and Mat Durkin, Mungalla stud, Taroom.

The top vendor average of the sale went to Noel and Robyn Geddes, Oasis Droughtmasters who sold their 10 bulls for an average of $33,050.

Their son Adam Geddes, Oasis A Droughtmasters, averaged $32,500 for his four bulls while Bundy Droughtmasters sold two bulls for $26,000.

Fourth top average was Garthowen Droughtmasters selling eight bulls to average $25,000 followed by SC Droughtmasters with four bulls averaging $21,500. 

In other averages, Hamadra Droughtmasters sold 16 bulls to average $18,250, Locarno Droughtmasters sold eight bulls for an average of $16,250, Cashmere Droughtmasters averaged $16,000 for three bulls, Wajatryn Droughtmasters sold 14 of 15 bulls (one passed in) for an average of $15,535 and Palmvale Droughtmasters sold three bulls to average $14,666. 

The volume buyer of the sale was Jersey Plains, Cloncurry, who purchased a total of 23 bulls for an average of $4652.

They were also the volume buyer last year, purchasing 27 bulls for an average of $5407. 

Also buying big was Blue Valley Cattle Co, Collinsville, who purchased 21 bulls averaging $5380 and Pickersgille Group, Washpool, Comet, who brought 16 bulls averaging $5718.

Day one proved to be a stronger day of selling with an average of $10,225, compared to the average of $9056 for day two. 

Source: Queensland Country Life