Droughtmaster bulls top $45,000 at CQLX for an $11,800 average
Summary
For a second consecutive year a Minlacowie bull took top-price honours at the CQ Invitational Droughtmaster sale, with this year's top 73 per cent above last year's figure. The multi-vendor sale at CQLX on Monday, October 19, saw seven studs offer 45 bulls.
At auction, 40 of the 45 bulls sold for an 89 per cent clearance, a gross of $472,000 and an average of $11,800. That average was 31.96 per cent higher than in 2025, when the sale grossed $304,000 with 34 of 43 bulls sold for a 79 per cent clearance at an $8942 average and a $26,000 top.
The top-priced bull, Minlacowie Camelot, was bought by Strathfield Station, Clermont, for $45,000. Weighing 798 kilograms, the 22-month-old was sired by Minlacowie Salvador out of Minlacowie Perfume 9627. Homozygous poll, he recorded a scrotal circumference of 36 centimetres, semen motility of 90 per cent, P8 and rib fat of 13 and 9 millimetres, an eye muscle area of 143 square centimetres and 4.7 per cent intramuscular fat.
The buyer said he chose the bull for his softness and structural correctness, citing a good-sized head, good sheath, and the length and scale to him.
Key Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Bulls offered, sold | 45 offered, 40 sold |
| Clearance rate | 89 per cent |
| Sale average | $11,800 |
| Sale gross | $472,000 |
| Top price | $45,000 |
| 2025 comparison | 34 of 43, 79 per cent, $8942, $26,000 top |
| Vendor studs | 7 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What did the CQ Invitational Droughtmaster sale top at?
The sale topped at $45,000 for Minlacowie Camelot. From 45 bulls offered by seven studs, 40 sold for an 89 per cent clearance at an $11,800 average, grossing $472,000. It was the second consecutive year a Minlacowie bull took top-price honours.
How did the result compare with 2025?
The top price was 73 per cent above last year's $26,000 and the average 31.96 per cent higher than the $8942 recorded in 2025. The clearance also improved, from 79 per cent on 34 of 43 bulls to 89 per cent. The gross rose from $304,000 to $472,000.
What figures did the top-priced bull record?
The 22-month-old weighed 798 kilograms and is homozygous poll. He recorded a scrotal circumference of 36 centimetres, semen motility of 90 per cent, and P8 and rib fat of 13 and 9 millimetres. His eye muscle area was 143 square centimetres with 4.7 per cent intramuscular fat. He is by Minlacowie Salvador out of Minlacowie Perfume 9627.
Why did that bull appeal?
The buyer cited softness and structural correctness, a good-sized head, good sheath, and length and scale, adding the bull is still growing. He also pointed to a bit of extra Brahman content, which he felt was lacking in the Droughtmaster world without being extreme.
How does that buyer select bulls?
He said he judges on looks first and does not look at data at all except as a tool. He has to like the bull in front of him before consulting the figures, then checks only for major abnormalities or irregularities.
How will the top-priced bull be used?
He will go into the buyer's stud herd, mated to some lower content cows to find a medium between him and them. The operation runs between 1100 and 1200 Droughtmaster breeders across two properties and aims to sell 80 to 120 stud bulls a year.
What did the vendor say about the top bull?
The vendor said she was not surprised at the price as he was a top sire with stud sire potential, heaps of thickness, plenty of scale, very good scans and good semen. She noted his sire did a really good job for the stud that bought him, and that he comes from a very good female line. The vendor sold 20 of 23 bulls at this year's sale.
Which vendors led the averages?
Yellowwood topped the vendor averages at $18,333 from three of four sold, ahead of Minlacowie on 20 of 23 at $13,150 and Birch on three at $11,666. 3 Sisters averaged $11,333 from three of four and Cebella $9000 from two. The selling agent rated it the best run of bulls in the sale's seven years, with six to eight bulls going to stud duties and a lot of repeat buyers.
