Strong buyer demand for females at High Country sale sees top price lift

High quality heifers hit top dollar at the 13^th annual High Country Droughtmasters bull and female sale on August 22, with females matching the top bull price-wise.

The top bull and female each sold for $10,000.

Purchased by Gympie-based stud breeder Brian Roberts, Yellowstone Droughtmasters, High Country Oh Lucky Me and High Country Oh Sweet Girl were among the draft of 27 heifers that averaged $4480, with a 100 per cent clearance at the Eskdale sale.

Mr Roberts said he was prepared to pay top price for the 22-month-old heifers, which offered impressive depth, length, muscle, brisket, and overall type.

"I know what looks good and what doesn't," he said, adding the heifers will be used to build the foundation of his stud herd.

This is the third year Mr Roberts has purchased cattle from the High Country sale and commended the Laycock family on their work with the breed.

"Paul is always very generous with his time and knowledge and is happy to answer any questions I might have."

Mr Roberts said he hoped to breed registered heifers and cows that set a high standard, using AI and embryo technology to multiply elite genetics in an effort to produce cattle that can lift herd quality for other producers.

"I'm not trying to compete with anybody but I'm trying to breed top-quality females for what I think is lacking in the market," he said."I sort of looked around and thought, 'You know what? I can do better.' And I'll try and prove it."

Saturday's sale saw all 27 females sold for 100 per cent clearance, a top price of $10,000 and an average of $4480.

Of the bulls, 18 of 30, or 60pc, were sold to a top price of $10,000 and an average of $6611.

The total clearance was 80pc.

By comparison, the previous year's sale saw 31 out of 32 females sell to an average of $3532 and a top of $6500, while 16 out of 28 bulls sold to an average of $7031 and a top of $20,000.

The second top-priced heifer this year, High Country Oak and Honey sold to $9000.

Shepherdson and Boyd agent Jack Fogg said the heifer market was extremely strong on the day with many buyers looking to reinvigorate their herd genetics.

"There's plenty of demand for Droughtmaster females at the moment and, in terms of the bulls on offer, I think it was probably one of the most even and consistent lines they've presented for a few years.

"The quality of the bulls was quite good but there just wasn't the demand there on the day."

Top price bull High Country No Ifs Or Buts matched the top female at $10,000, selling to Colin and Deborah Malpress, Wamuran, continuing a buying relationship that has already delivered results for their Droughtmaster herd.

Sired by Glenlands D Bated Breath and out of High Country Indigo, the 33-month-old bull was described as powerful, deep-bodied, thick, long and exceptionally soft made, returning an eye muscle area of 140 square centimetres.

The couple run 36 breeders on their property in the Moreton Bay region, choosing Droughtmasters for their ease of calving and temperament.

"What you see is what you get," Mr Malpress said, adding the latest purchase represents a continued focus on practical, functional genetics that can perform in his herd, with fertility, calving ease and temperament a priority.

The second top-price of $9000 was realised twice with High Country Old Gold selling to High Country 'S' Droughtmasters, The Bluff, and High Country One Night Only selling to Leonie Nichols, Cambroon Park Stud, and Margaret Wilson, Cherry Creek.

Bulk buyers included Daley Livestock, Glen Innes, purchasing seven bulls and repeat bulk buyer Andrea Patch, Bell, who purchased one bull and four heifers from different lines, allowing her to move further towards a pure Droughtmaster breeding program.

High Country Stud manager Stephanie Laycock said the result was a reflection of strong buyer support from repeat customers, and new clients travelling from many areas including Julia Creek and Moura.

"We were very thankful to have a lot of repeat buyers," Ms Laycock said.

"They're getting the same quality cattle, but at a different price range, and we're very thankful that they're back and supporting us whether those prices are up or down."

Females remained a particular strength, with strong competition from both commercial and stud buyers.

Ms Laycock said several of the heifers offered this year came from some of the herd's best and most proven lines - genetics the family would traditionally have retained for themselves.

"It was great to see that people were excited to see those genetics and were chasing after them as well," she said, adding High Country's focus is on producing versatile, functional females that can contribute to both commercial and stud operations.

"We definitely place an emphasis on maternal ability, softness, soundness with strong breeding behind them and we carry that through the bull program where we focus on structurally and reproductively sound bulls that are ready to go to work."

The progeny of more than 20 sires were represented in this year's draft, giving buyers access to a broad range of genetics while still purchasing from one trusted program.

The sale also provided an opportunity to welcome the next generation, with several young members taking advantage of High Country's junior incentives to purchase heifers.

• Selling agent: Shepherdson & Boyd, interfaced with StockLive