OVERWHELMING confidence within the beef industry drove prices to record levels at Scott and Rebecca Dunlop's Dunlop Santas Sire Sale, Jingeri, Proston, on Saturday.
Commercial beef producers underpinned demand for the 97 Santa Gertrudis bulls offered and sold for a Dunlop family record $12,556 average - up a whopping $3258 on last year - with 10 more bulls through the ring this time around.
Mr Dunlop said he was very proud of the sale and his cattle and humbled by the support demonstrated by his buyers and for the Santa Gertrudis breed.
He added that it was a great way to celebrate his birthday, knowing his clients had confidence in his cattle and who were prepared to invest in the future.
Their eighth annual on-property fixture saw 61 classified S bulls average $13,213 for a top of $36,000 and 36 herd/commercial bulls average $11,444 and sold to $24,000 and return a gross of $1.218m.
Colin Semple representing his brother Bruce Semple, Coolibah, Dysart, bid the $36,000 top money for Dunlop Undefeated Q1200, a 21-month-old, 860kg absolute beef machine with the equal highest 5.8 intramuscular fat percentage and 43 centimetres for his scrotal circumference.
Mr Colin Semple said Undefeated had it all - bone, thickness throughout with plenty of softness and the ideal tropical coat to suit the environment of his new home.
The $24,000 top-priced herd bull was Dunlop Q448 (P), a 23-month-old, deep-bodied son of Bullamakinka Kong K276 (P) with tremendous thickness through his barrel and a clean poll head and was bought by Jaletto Pty Ltd, The Bend, Taroom.
Long-term supporters Robert and Maureen Pedersen of GM Pedersen & Son buying on behalf of their son, Geoff Pedersen, Wyseby, Rolleston, selected five, moderate-framed bulls for a $12,600 average which carried plenty of muscling with sound, correct structure for their mainly Santa Gertrudis/Limousin-cross breeders.
- Selling agents: Nutrien Livestock, Shepherdson & Boyd, GDL and Elite Livestock Auctions
Full report in this week's Queensland Country Life
