Central Reds Droughtmaster sale clearance and average rises from 2024

The Central Reds Droughtmaster Sale returned to the Emerald Saleyards on Tuesday, September 23, with eight vendors presenting a catalogue of 50 bulls.

Of these, 41 sold under the hammer to achieve a clearance of 82 per cent, gross of $289,000, and an average of $7049.

This compared with 2024, when 40 bulls were offered and 28 sold to average $7035, gross $207,000, and clear 70pc.

The 2025 sale delivered a 39.6pc lift in gross and a 12pc stronger clearance.

Vendors included Konjuli, Mostyndale, Vale View, Strathfield, Wetheron, Hillside, and Kenlogan, with Riley McKenzie's Hamadra R stud from Bluff making its debut at the sale.

The day's top price of $19,000 was achieved by Mostyndale Quiz, a polled herd bull by Oasis A Langer and out of a Droughtmaster cow.

At 22 months of age, Quiz weighed 844 kilograms, scanned an eye muscle area of 131 square centimetres, measured 15 millimetres for P8 and 13mm rib fat, recorded 6pc intramuscular fat, and had a scrotal circumference of 40cm.

He was purchased by Robert Owens, Springsure, who also secured two other sire for a total average of $13,333.

Mr Owens, who has run Droughtmasters for more than 30 years, said he was pleased with his draft.

"They'll be going over Droughtmaster cows in our commercial herd," he said.

"I've always liked the lighter coloured types, and the bulls I picked today fit that line.

"We've stuck with Droughties because they suit our country, and these bulls will slot straight in."

With him on the day was his long-time agent, John Noffke.

The second-top price was $15,000 for Hamadra R Inglorious, an AI calf by Hamadra Lebron and out of Ramardoo Daisy.

He was purchased by Christmas Creek Cattle Company, Rolleston, who also ended up as one of the bulk buyers, securing three bulls at an average of $10,000.

The 24-month-old bull weighed in at 930kg, scanned an EMA of 135 square centimetres, measured 12mm P8 and 8mm rib fat, recorded an IMF of 4.7pc, and had a scrotal circumference of 40cm.

Mostyndale stud principal Leesa Woolcock said the sale result reflected the strength of the Central Reds brand.

"I think everyone should be happy with how the sale went, especially the buyers," she said.

"We've been involved since the sale's beginning in 2012.

"It started as a group of breeders who wanted to bring a sale to Emerald, being such a central location, and it's remained commercially focused ever since."

She said the $19,000 herd bull reflected the type of balanced cattle Mostyndale aimed to produce.

"He was by Oasis A Langer, a sire that consistently throws soft, easy-doing types with tidy underlines and excellent tropical coats," she said.

"That's the sort of bull we're trying to breed - the type that can finish steers off grass or grain and add value to commercial programs."

• Agents: TopX Gracemere with Stocklive