Full clearance as Monty Atkinson Genetics Sale average lifts markedly

The 25^th annual Monty Atkinson Genetics Sale proved to be an anniversary to remember, with the sale average increasing by $3601 over a stellar result in 2025.

A total of 99 bulls, including 80 Droughtmaster and 19 Charmaster lots, were offered at the Dalrymple saleyard, Charters Towers, on Friday, November 13, by Mac and Gayle Shann, Lamont stud, Cantaur Park, Clermont, and Kylie Graham, Mungalla stud, Farnham, Taroom.

All 99 lots found new homes for a 100 per cent clearance and an average of $15,414. The Droughtmaster contingent averaged $15,400, topping at $65,000, while the Charmaster section averaged $15,473, topping at $32,000.

In 2025, all 112 Droughtmaster and Charmaster bulls were cleared at an average of $11,813 for a top price of $58,000.

This year's sale high came later in the sale, when the $65,000 winning bid on Lamont 2421 D5 was made by Alex and Maree Power, Lazy A Droughtmaster stud, Julia Creek.

This 24-month-old milk tooth, homozygous polled sire verified Yaralla Wallace son weighed in at 804kg, with P8 and rib fat measurements of 12mm and 9mm respectively, and with an eye muscle area of 143 square centimetres.

The Powers have been attending MAGS for many years as the style of cattle presented at the sale suits their market.

"He'll go straight into stud duties. We've had two or three Yaralla Wallace sons, and they have all been very consistent," Mr Power said.

"Lamont 2421 was big up off the ground and had a good sheath. He also had more leg, which is good in the northern country due to the distance it takes to find water."

He said it had been a strong draft of bulls all the way through.

"It's great to see such a strong sale in the north. Mac and Gayle back their cattle and they are great down-to-earth people. We always feel confident buying from the family," he said.

The sale topper was one of four bulls (three Droughtmaster and one Charmaster) the Power family bought on the day, with their purchases averaging $28,750.

Ms Shann said Lamont 2421 began to shine in the months leading up to the sale.

"We thought he'd do well as Yaralla Wallace sons always do. We were happy that the Power family bought him; they've supported us well over the years."

The second top price Droughtmaster of the sale was lot 10, Lamont MG 510. This PP, 28-month-old bull, which weighed 928kg with a 44cm scrotal circumference, was purchased by the Anderson family, Eddington Droughtmaster stud, Julia Creek for $44,000. The York family bought two Droughtmaster bulls, averaging $30,000.

Hitting the $40,000 mark was Lamont Yates, a 23-month-old heterozygous polled milk tooth son of Needmor Hyatt, which was purchased by Greg and Linda Yates, Carnudge Droughtmaster stud, Mingo.

The top price Charmaster, Lamont MG 490 was purchased by CL Cattle Company, Rockhampton for $32,000.

Ms Shann said it had been pleasing to see the interest in the Charmasters get stronger by the year at MAGS.

"They provide a Euro option in country that can't support a full Charolais. The Charmaster can live and breed in the northern conditions," she said.

Buying in bulk on the day was Swans Lagoon Pastoral Company, Millaroo, which snapped up 11 Droughtmaster bulls at an average of $11,636.

Others who bought in volume were Suttor Grazing, Myall Spring, which took home eight bulls (six Droughtmaster and two Charmaster) at an average of $19,250, while Ron and Leanne Phillipson, Phillipson Holdings, Charters Towers, purchased seven bulls (five Droughtmaster and two Charmaster) at an average of $6000, and the Donaldson family, Alpha, made the winning bid on six bulls (five Droughtmaster and one Charmaster) to average $14,667.

Elders sale agent Anthony Ball said the result was reflective of the current market and seasonal conditions right throughout northern Queensland.

"It was a great way for the Atkinson family to celebrate 25 years of MAGS," Mr Ball said.

"It's pleasing to see multiple branches of the family involved in the success of this sale, not just this year but over the span of a quarter of a century," he said.

"Credit to all the families involved, going back to Monty Atkinson himself, one of the founders of the Droughtmaster breed, all the way up in Mount Garnet. The Atkinsons, as a whole, should be very proud of what has been achieved here today."

Mr Ball said many repeat MAGS buyers were in attendance while some new buyers stepped in. This included interest from NSW in the Charmaster cattle.

"Cattle sold as far north as the Atherton Tableland, where we always get a lot of support, then virtually the whole way down, with buyers from the Emerald, Capella, and Rockhampton areas again providing solid support. This support also came from north western Queensland, including Julia Creek, Cloncurry, and Richmond."

Ms Shann said the family was ecstatic about this year's result.

"We are very passionate about Charters Towers, and we were overwhelmed with the support we received today from Queensland and NSW buyers who bid here in person and online.

"A result like this gives us confidence to keep going with the type of cattle we're producing. We'll return in 2027 with a larger line of bulls for buyers to choose from."

• Selling agents: Elders, interfaced with AuctionsPlus