Top heifer sets new sale record at 2026 Droughtmaster national female sale
A central Queensland stud has set a new sale record at the 2026 Droughtmaster national female sale, besting their own top price from the year before by $18,000.
About 200 people filled the stands at the Gympie saleyards on Saturday, March 14, including bidders from local areas around the south east, through the Central Highlands and Isaac, and as far north as the Atherton Tablelands.
Fierce bidding early saw the first five lots go for an average of $12,600, and buyers didn't let up as the sale went on, taking home 15 lots for $15,000 or more by the end of bidding.
A total of 104 females from 128 sold through the ring for an 81.3 per cent clearance, average of $8480, and gross of about $882,000.
By comparison, 120 of 167 lots sold at auction in 2025 for a 72pc clearance and average of $4900, with Glenlands J Graceful selling for the top price of $34,000.
See who caught up at the National Droughtmaster Female sale
Picture by Zac Braxton-Smith
Glenlands J Droughtmasters principals Jason, Carissa Childs and family, based near Rockhampton, sold Glenlands J High Class to David and Amanda Torrisi of the Vitwood Droughtmaster stud for the top price of $52,000.
She was polled, 16 months old, by Glenlands J Dapper and out of Glenlands J 17931.
Mr Childs said all three heifers offered by his family were the first auction release females by their sires.
"High Class was very correct, good underneath, with thickness and length," he said.
"Her cow lines go back to Glenlands Original and Unreal, and her sire won a junior champion at the Queensland Royal.
"As a vendor, it's pleasing to see the quality of genetics that the sale committee has brought together.
"And we are pleased that High Class is going to a quality operation."
Amanda Torrisi, based at Susan River, said she and her husband David were looking for soft females with good muscling and bone.
"We are looking to get more bone into our homozygous polled cattle," she said.
"There is a good team around us, between the Sommer family supplying bulls, and Elders agent Mitch Jackson buying for us at sales.
"The females we bought today will be joined naturally later this year or in 2027."
The Torrisi family was one of four bidders who bought five or more lots through the ring, securing eight females for an average of $12,600.
Second-top-price heifer Eljay Havana would also travel to the Vitwood stud, after she sold for $40,000.
Havana - 16 months old and polled - had a great head, slick coat, good length of body and plenty of femininity, according to Eljay Droughtmasters principal Larry Farquhar.
"She is by Karragarra Saxby and out of Eljay Dayna, one of our middle-of-the-road, moderate-frame cows," Mr Farquhar said.
"Havana has really come into her own as she has developed."
In a full breakdown of the sale result, six of six cows and calves sold through the ring for an average of $11,833, and three of three joined females sold for an average of $7333.
Ninety five of 119 unjoined females sold at auction for an $8305 average, and another six unjoined females sold after the conclusion of bidding.
The quality of females on offer spoke volumes, Grant Daniel Long agent Josh Heck said.
"The signs are there for bull-selling season, given how the commercial cattle market is performing," Mr Heck said.
"Rain over the last few weeks has given people confidence too."
Misty Mountain Cattle Co principals Peter and Ann Woollett, based at Millaa Millaa, bought the largest number of lots through the ring, with 11 head for an average of about $4600.
Vendor averages
For vendors who sold two or more lots through the ring under a prefix:
Hamadra: sold 10 for an average of $11,400
Calco: sold five, $6100
Caldy: sold two, $4000
Nindethana: sold five, $6100
View Field: sold three, $5000
Rangeview: sold four, $6000
Tomawill: sold three, $3833
Glenlands J: Sold 3, $31,333
Saddleback: sold four, $4000
Notable: sold three, $8333
Billagong: sold six, $4417
Eljay: sold two, $22,500
RSVP: sold six, $7417
Oakmore: sold four, $12,625
Major: sold two, $11,000
Locarno: sold seven, $7643
Sugerland: sold four, $5500
Kirala: sold two, $3500
Brigalow Park: sold three, $3500
Benbullen: sold four, $3625
Seymour: sold three, $18,333
Seymour R: sold two, $12,000
Benjamin: sold three, $4000
Vale View: sold four, $8000
Bellarine: sold six, $6333
Talaringa: sold two, $11,500
