The widespread dry conditions had an impact at the Roma Droughtmaster bull sale in Queensland on Friday, but buyers were still willing to pay for top-quality sires, pushing the sale to a high of $30,000.
Of the 139 bulls on offer, 104 sold for a 75 per cent clearance rate and average of $5861.
Paul and Paula Russell, Locarno Droughtmasters, Dingo, Qld, paid the top money, taking home Heitiki Kidman from the Lloyd family, Heitiki Droughtmasters, Delungra.
By Heitiki Arist-O-Crat, the three-year-old polled bull tipped the scales at 884 kilograms and measured 42 centimetres in scrotal circumference, with an eye muscle area of 136sq cm, intramuscular fat of 4.4, and P8 and rib fat depths of 16 and 10mm respectively.
Paul Russell said he was originally drawn to the bull when it was shown at Beef Australia 2018, and was excited to see him offered at Roma.
“I didn't know he was going to Roma until a month ago and I thought I'd come and have a look,” he said.
“He still appealed to me as much as he did at Beef, and I didn't want to pay that much money of course, but other people liked him too and that's what happens.”
Purchased to replace another sire that had been a key part of the Locarno operation for several years, Mr Russell said he liked everything about Heitiki Kidman.
“I loved his smoothness, his muscle pattern, he had a really good head on him, and everything was just sort of culminated into one,” he said.
Heitiki stud principal Tim Lloyd said he was overwhelmed by the result.
“It's nice to breed something that people appreciate, and words are easy, but bidding with your hard earned cash is something pretty special,” he said.
Beth Streeter, Palmvale Droughtmasters, Marlborough, Qld, paid a second top price of $19,000 for Riverland Mocatta 1538/7, offered by the Little family, Riverland Droughtmasters, Wycarbah.
The Roma Droughtmaster Sale was conducted by Elders, Landmark, and GDL.
