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That's the sentiment being expressed by commercial cattlemen as surging confidence in the beef industry, driven by strong cattle prices, delivers a purple patch for seedstock producers.

A quick glance at some benchmark sales held across southern Queensland over the past month shows a marked increase in nearly all sale averages, with most over $5000 a head.

Clearance rates are also up, with many vendors who struggled to offload 70 or 80 per cent of their 2014 offering, now selling close to 100pc of the draft under the hammer.

Most of the spring sales have so far been held in southern Queensland but the trend is expected to continue for the big central sales, such as the upcoming Droughtmaster National and Brahman Week in Rockhampton.

Surat’s Salter family were delighted to see their draft of 55 Glen Fosslyn Droughtmaster bulls meet strong demand at the Roma Saleyards on Saturday. The Salter’s achieved the very strong average of $5590 and cleared 93pc of their bulls under the hammer. The top price of $16 500 was paid by Paul and Lisa Laycock, High Country Droughtmasters, Toogoolawah.

Glen Fosslyn Idol is a son of Glen Fosslyn Exelby who had a debut offering of progeny at this year’s Sale. A polled bull, Glen Fosslyn Idol weighed in at 763kg and boasted an EMA of 115, P8 9 & Rib 6. Paul Laycock said he spotted Idol in the sale catalogue and was equally impressed with the bull on sale day. “We really like his overall correctness and he has the perfect sheath and a nice polly head,” Mr Laycock said. “We are in the process of expanding our stud operation and he’ll play a real vital role in advancing our herd.”

The second top price of $10,000 was paid by the York family, Yorkaringa, Wallumbilla for Glen Fosslyn Instagram. Weighing in at 877kg, Instagram recorded an EMA of 130, P8 of 9 & Rib of 6. The York family also paid $7500 for Glen Fosslyn Illuminary.

Both top priced bulls are backed up with Breedplan EBV figures which are more than double the Droughtmaster breed averages. These high growth for age figures were critical selection criteria for the buyers. Other sales of note included the 837kg Glen Fosslyn Investor which sold to Kevin and Coral Francis, Injune, for $8500. 

The volume buyer of the sale was Russell Gillingham, Cumalong Grazing Co, Longvale, Wandoan, who purchased 11 bulls averaging $4834. Russell Gillingham has been buying Glen Fosslyn bulls for over 20 years.

The Groat family also put together a good line of bulls for their Injune operation, buying five for an average of $5600 while the Price family, Tarcoola, Injune, purchased three bulls for an average of $4833.

Glen Fosslyn principal, Cameron Salter said he was delighted with the sale result given the tough conditions the industry had faced in more recent years.

“We were delighted to see our commitment to Breedplan becoming more popular as a selection tool for buyers. Glen Fosslyn has been a member of the Droughtmaster Group Breedplan for over 20 years & buyers are capitalising on our Sires being backed by science when making their selections,” he said.

Selling agents: Elders and Landmark.

Photo credit: to Penelope Arthur of the Queensland Country Life

BUYERS had plenty of opportunity to snap up a bargain at the 2012 annual Glen Fosslyn Droughtmaster Bull Sale at the Roma Saleyards on Friday where stud principals, the Salter family, sold 71 bulls for an average of $4021.