PRICE KICK BUOYS SPIRITS
INGLEWOOD cattleman and Big S Group chairman Duncan McMaster had reason to smile after his group’s annual sale at the 2014 Heritage Ag Show in Toowoomba.
A total of 44 santa gertrudis bulls were offered at the sale, selling to a top of $8000 and an average of $4257.
Mr McMaster said the annual auction grossed $153,250 and boasted an 82% clearance.
Three of the young sires offered through the sale made a top of $8000 – double the best price paid during the 2103 Big S sale.
This year Mr McMaster and his wife Kim were among the vendors to receive the top price, selling Dundee Advantage to repeat buyers Tony and Suzie Killen from Goondiwindi for $8000.
“I am really happy with how the sale went; it’s been a tough season, it’s still a tough season for a lot of cattle people so we really appreciate their support,” Mr McMaster said.
“I think some confidence has definitely returned to the industry with a price kick in recent weeks and a little rain around, but we still need a major break in the season.”
Killarney cattleman Pat McMahon also paid $8000 for Glenleigh Hawk, a bull bred by Ian and Felicity Shaw from Glenleigh Santas at Deepwater.
Mr McMahon said he was impressed by the calibre of santa bulls offered through the annual sale, particularly 23-month-old Glenleigh Hawk, which tipped the scales at 920kg.
“The depth and muscle of this young bull was outstanding and he had a real sirey outlook, which was very appealing,” he said.
The bull will be put over charbray santa-cross cows as part of the McMahon family’s commercial cattle operation.
Ian Shaw from Glenleigh Stud was also stoked by the sale outcome.
He sold four bulls for a 100% clearance and an average of $5800.
Glenn and Fran Holtz from Santalands, Toowoomba, were the other top-priced sellers at the Big S Ag Show sale.
They parted with Santalands Larry, a 23-month-old sire weighing 895kg.
The bull was bought by Chris Fox from Cooinda Station, Proston. Mr Fox plans to put the young sire over first-calf heifers as part of his 400-head stud santa operation.