Hamadra bulls share top price on day one of Droughtmaster National Sale
Despite their late catalogue spot, the McKenzie family's bulls took centre stage on day one of the 66th annual Droughtmaster National Sale, selling both top-priced bulls from Hamadra R and Hamadra studs.
Held at CQLX Gracemere on Tuesday, September 16, the opening day of the sale saw 171 of 184 bulls sold, delivering a 94 per cent clearance rate, up 10 per cent on the same day last year.
Despite the stronger clearance, averages were softer at $13,748 (down $2303), with a total day-one gross of $2,481,500, down $151,000 on 2024.
Both top-priced bulls at $65,000 were offered by Riley and his father, Drew McKenzie, from Hamadra R and Hamadra Droughtmasters, Bluff.
The first to reach $65,000 was lot 206, Hamadra R Idaho, a 22-month-old homozygous polled sire by Ramardoo Gazman out of Vitwood Vanessa 4046.
Tipping the scales at 914 kilograms with a 44 centimetre scrotal circumference, Idaho boasted strong carcase data, including 153 square centimetres for eye muscle area, P8 and rib fats of 10mm and 7mm, and an intramuscular fat percentage of 4.5.
He was purchased by Cliff Mylrea, Needmor Droughtmasters, and Sasha Mylrea, Sakensha Droughtmasters, Gogango, who both admired the strong carcase traits of the sire.
"(Idaho) had a beautiful head, hooded eye, a lot of loose skin, bone, and he's a real carcase bull," Mr Mylrea said.
"At the end of the day, we're commercial operators and we like to breed cattle for the commercial cattlemen.
"He's probably the sort of sire that is going to breed commercial bulls, rather than stud bulls.
"He's everything we look for in carcase traits, beautiful body and temperament.
"We plan to join him with our stud breeders and select suitable females."
Mr Mylrea said the day-one sale result "exceeded expectations" and noted the strong clearance.
"I think all the good bulls made a good rate. I don't think too many didn't sell," he said.
The underbidder on that bull was Simon Duggan, Twin Hills Droughtmasters, Gympie.
Just three lots later, lot 209, Hamadra Oshea, also made $65,000, selling to Mac and Gayle Shann of Cantaur Park, Clermont, facing strong competition from underbidder,Yaralla Droughtmasters, Blackwater.
Sired by Hamadra Idol and out of Hamadra Clare, Oshea was a 23-month-old weighing 954kg, with a 44cm scrotal, 148 sq cm EMA, and P8 and rib fat scores of 12mm and 9mm, respectively, and an IMF of 5.6pc.
Gayle Shann said the bull stood out immediately to them during bull inspections.
"That Hamadra sire caught our eyes straight away," Ms Shann said.
"It's hard to find everything in a bull, but he's got the most beautiful cherry red colour and coat, beautiful skin.
"We've purchased Hamadra bulls before with success, so we're happy to step foot back in that stud again.
"They're well-established and very well-known. He'll go into a herd of Lamont cows we'll select for him."
Speaking on behalf of the two top price studs, Riley McKenzie, Hamadra R, described their sale result as "incredible."
"The amount of positive feedback this year from previous buyers also helped our sale with news that the Hamadra bulls are performing and holding up well in their new homes in all parts of Queensland," Mr McKenzie said.
Mr McKenzie credited part of the momentum to recognition at the Carnarvon Classic sale recently, where the Oasis Droughtmaster stud gained sale success, with progeny from their sire, Hamadra Harley.
"I think Hamadra really got noticed because of that result this year," he said.
The Hamadra draft (excluding the one Hamadra R animal) sold 17 bulls on day one for a very strong average of $22,588.
GDL stud stock agent Josh Heck, Rockhampton, said the overall clearance rate reflected a healthy demand across the board.
"In any multi-vendor sale, over 90 per cent clearance is a pretty good result," Mr Heck said.
"If vendors had their product right, plenty of meat, bone, and fleshing, they got paid well."
He singled out Hamadra's consistency as a standout.
"Hamadra was one of the largest vendors here today, and there was not a bad bull in their draft," he said.
"From the first to the last, they were very similar; that's what is creating the demand."
A second-top price of $55,000 was set earlier in the sale draft, paid for lot 29, Waringle Manso, offered by Paul Dingle, Waringle stud, Maleny, and sold to the Geddes family of Oasis A Droughtmasters, Dingo.
John Atkinson, Glenavon Droughtmasters stud, Yaamba, was the underbidder on that bull.
Sired by Billabong Joey 9330 and out of Waringle Style, the 25-month-old homozygous polled sire weighed 946kg and measured 40cm in the scrotum.
He scanned 146sq cm for EMA, 3pc for IMF, and 7mm and 5mm for P8 and rib fats.
Waringle stud sold three bulls for an average price of $37,000.
Other strong performers on day one included Sakensha Judgement, offered by Sasha Mylrea, Sakensha Droughtmasters, Gogango, which sold for $45,000 to Vale View Droughtmasters, Manumbar.
Needmor Lebro, sold to the Donaldson family, Medway Droughtmasters, Bogantungan, for $40,000, while Redskin Questro, offered by the Rutherford family, Redskin Droughtmasters, Morinish, and the Hamadra Droughtmasters' Hamadra Omar were both purchased by the Billabong Partnership, Moura, for $40,000 each.
Redfield Pastoral, Blackwater, was the top volume buyer on day one, securing 10 bulls. Mulgrave Pastoral, Nebo, and Bush Holdings, Alpha, secured eight bulls each.
- Selling agents were GDL, Nutrien and Elders, with the sale simulcast via StockLive.
Day two of the Droughtmaster National Sale continues on Wednesday, with Queensland Country Life providing rolling coverage throughout the day.
