There was one spectator with an unrivalled story to tell at the recent annual Baker family cattle sale at their Woonallee Simmental stud at Furner.

Former Baker family employee Kym McDonald was among the record gathering of 250 who witnessed the 15th annual sale held at the new sales complex.

The complete clearance of almost 140 bulls and females would not have surprised Mr McDonald as he has witnessed three generations of the Baker family’s success with the Simmental breed over the past 50 years.

The first Simmental calf to be born in Australia was bred by the Bakers in 1972 and Mr MacDonald saw its birth.

“It was born at Callendale Station near Lucindale when brothers Dale and Dean Baker were in partnership,” Mr MacDonald said.

“I had only just left Millicent High School and I went to work for them as a farmhand.

“Dale died a few years ago and the Woonallee stud is now run by his son Tom and his family.”

The subsequent outdoors working life of Mr MacDonald took him all over Australia but he is proud of that very first chapter.

The highest-price bull of the 112 on offer was sold to Mubarn Simmentals for $55,000.

The 2021 sale saw 103 bulls change hands for an average of $11,100 and a high of $40,000.

The latest sale saw the average skyrocket to $14,300.

The top female in 2022 realised $18,000 and was purchased by John Leek of Mount Ararat Simmentals, of Nar Nar Goon, Victoria.

The average for the 27 females was $10,050.

Last year, there were 26 females sold to a high of $17,500 and an average of $6250.

Each year, the Bakers donate 100% of the proceeds from the sale of a nominated bull to charity.

The successful bidder for the charity bull was also Mr Leek.

The Gastroenterology Department at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Adelaide will receive a cheque for $42,000.

The selling agents were Nutrien and Elders while online bids came via Auctions Plus and Elite Livestock Auctions.

As before, the Baker family provided lunch and dinner and refreshments to all in attendance at the sale.