Despite all the challenges that the Covid-19 restrictions have placed on seedstock sales, the 2020 Dectomax National Shorthorn Sale committee managed to navigate difficult conditions to post one of the best ever results in the 61 year history of the sale.

For the first time, the sale was an online only auction, however it didn’t dampen demand for the excellent quality lineup of Shorthorn sires and females.

At auction, the 2020 Dectomax National Shorthorn Sale sold 55 of 60 bulls, with several selling after the auction to post a total clearance of 96% and an outstanding average of $8,123 for the bulls offered, with a top price of $32,000.

Top priced bull was Nagol Park YM Picasso P124, selling for $32,000 to the Loane family of Dunroan Shorthorns, La Trobe, Tasmania. The white Shorthorn bull was from vendors Roger and Naomi Evans of Nagol Park Shorthorns, Tamworth.

Sired by Yamburgan Monkira M23 and out of Nagol Park FL Romance J189, the 21 month-old frame 7 sire, weighed 870 kilograms with an eye muscle area of 129 sq. cm and a scrotal circumference of 38.5cm.

In total, Nagol Park averaged $14,000 across their draft of three bulls.

Moombi Shorthorns, Cumnock, achieved the second top price of $21,000 for Moombi Thunder P60, a son of Yamburgan Zeus L173, purchased by Royalla Shorthorns, Yeoval.

The 7 Moombi bulls offered in their 2020 draft averaged $9714.

Malton Shorthorns, Blighty, purchased the $18,000 third high-seller, Polldale Packer P27, from the Williams family of Polldale Shorthorns, Dubbo. Polldale sold all six of their lots for an $8333 average.

Two bulls sold for $16,000 including Ashley and Jane Morris’ offering Tarranganda A Pathfinder P8 bought by Camelock Rural, Torres Park, Augathella, Qld.

Leeds Harry P40 from Gillian Leeds, Jerilderie, was the second bull purchased at $16,000 by Malcolm Smith, Leaholme, Daroobalgie near Forbes.

Quality Shorthorn females also sold extremely well at auction, with 4 females selling to a top of $8,000 and averaging $5,125.

Ben Shadbolt of Merseylea, Tas, purchased the $8000 top-priced female Leeds Ingrid Wayward Q15 from vendor Gillian Leeds, Leeds Shorthorns, Jerilderie.

The rising 12-month-old was by Outback Sprys Balance G266 and from Leeds Compose Wayward J42.

Nabiac Lustier Enia Q2 was the $5000 second top-priced heifer sold by Lane and Cody Evans of Nabiac Shorthorns, Tamworth, and purchased by Robrick Lodge Thoroughbreds, Scone.