Andy Hayes said the Droughtmaster breed appealed to the family because they were a “good, soft animal”.
“When purchasing cattle we look for an animal that can step out well and that are not going to have problems with sore feet, preferably poll cattle with a good temperament, and good muscle,” Andy said.
Last year, Andy went across to the Artesian Droughtmaster Bull Sale at Blackall, where he purchased 17 bulls from Glenlands, Medway, Clonlara and Yaralla studs.
From about 2007 to 2011, the Hayes bought bulls from Bob and Marie McQueen of Marosa stud in Victor Harbor, South Australia. The McQueens were also great supporters of the Alice Springs Show and Show Bull Sale.
On his way home, he filled the truck up from Rondel stud at Winton.
Andy said for the past six years Hayes have also supported the Bekker family from Bos Park, Gympie, Qld, who had been taking Droughtmaster bulls to the show and sale. “After we sold the Poll Herefords out, we purchased about 400 Droughtmaster heifers off AuctionsPlus from Central Queensland to replace them,” he said..
In May last year, Andy went to Queensland again and purchased bulls from Lazy A and Powermac, Rondel and Western Red. The business has been receiving great prices for the Droughties so far. “The prices have been brilliant and really just catching up from the past few years previous (when the seasons were poorer),” Andy said. “We are also accredited as Australian Certified Organic as well as the US National Organic Program (NOP). “For the past few years we have been going straight into slaughter, with steers averaging about 320 kilograms over the hooks.”
Supreme Exhibit 2017-Droughtmaster Feature Show Gympie
F V Chief
Nick and Sarah Hughes Farogan Road UPPER KANDANGA 4570 Qld Ph: 07 5488 4352 / 0400 709 124
Grand Champion Female-2017 Droughtmaster Feature Show Gympie
AW3415124
www.farogan.net F V Aura
DROUGHTMASTER DIGEST
February 2018
17