Droughtmaster Steers Hit $2,330 in Stronger Market
A much dearer market greeted vendors at Saturday’s Beaudesert Store Sale. Agents Bartholomew & Co reported strong competition across all descriptions. A large offering of restocker steers drew intense buyer interest. Replacement heifers sold well above expectations in an upbeat end-of-season market.
The top price of the day came from John Bright of Christmas Creek. His 2½-year-old Droughtmaster steers reached $2,330. Santa steers aged two years, offered by Yawarra Pty Ltd of Nindooinbah, also sold strongly at $2,200. GJ & JW Saverin of Eagleby matched that figure with their 2-year-old Droughtmaster steers. A similar line from Ben Harmer of Kingsholme made $2,170.
Younger steers also met strong demand. Chris Bonner of Obum Obum sold 18-month Droughtmaster steers for $1,810, with Kerry Klan of Washpool close behind at $1,800. Clearwaters Agri at Maroon achieved $1,760 for 15-month Santa steers. Matthew and Sarah Arkinstall of Running Creek sold 2-year-old Blonde d’Aquitaine cross steers for $1,690.
Weaner steers were hotly contested. The Potts Family of Bunjurgen topped the category at $1,570 for their Santa weaners. Charolais-cross weaners sold to $1,560 for Beauchamp Enterprises of Maroon. Similar lines made $1,530 for Jim and Rachel Hardgrave of Palen Creek, and $1,500 for Chris and Christine Franklin of Oaky Creek. Other standout sales included Greg Thomas of Laravale with $1,450, Hopkins and Hayes of Woodhill with $1,570 for 12-month Charolais-cross steers, and Jamie Nicholson of Natural Bridge with $1,280 for Droughtmaster weaners.
In the heifer section, Yawarra Pty Ltd topped the category with Santa heifers rising to $1,710. Droughtmaster heifers from Linton Church of Laravale made $1,700, while John and Desley Gurney of Obum Obum received $1,510. Charolais-cross weaner heifers sold to $1,040 for both the Franklins of Oaky Creek and the Hardgraves of Palen Creek.
Cows also sold strongly. Reg Baker of Carbrook achieved $3,180 for a Droughtmaster cow—the top female price of the day. Alan and Nerida Eadie of Carbrook sold Droughtmaster-cross cows for $2,030. Cows and calves sold to $1,720 for Hopkins and Hayes, and $1,700 for Kathleen Panitz of Rathdowney.
The final Beaudesert Store Sale of the year will be held on Saturday 6 December, commencing at 9:30am.
