Vytelle returns as title sponsor of the Droughtmaster Queen of the Ring
9 Jul 2026Vytelle has confirmed its return as title sponsor of the Droughtmaster Queen of the Ring, the prestigious female genetics showcase held on the eve of the Droughtmaster National Bull Sale at CQLX, Gracemere.
Now in its second year, the Vytelle Queen of the Ring will take place on Tuesday 15 September 2026 from 7.00pm, with up to 15 elite Droughtmaster females going under the hammer during the Drinks with Droughties function. The National Bull Sale follows the next morning, Wednesday 16 September, from 8.00am, with more than 350 bulls from 78 vendors on offer.
Vytelle Strategic Account Manager for Northern Australia, Rod Linke said returning as naming rights sponsor was an easy decision.
“The inaugural Queen of the Ring exceeded every expectation. The quality of the females, the engagement from breeders and buyers, and the atmosphere on the night made it one of the highlights of our year. We came away knowing this event was only going to grow, and we wanted to be part of that from the beginning.”
“The Droughtmaster female is at the heart of everything this breed stands for – adaptability, fertility, maternal excellence. That is exactly what Vytelle is about: helping producers identify their best genetics and do more with them. This event brings that to life.”
The sponsorship reflects Vytelle’s deep history with the Droughtmaster breed. The breed holds the record for the highest single-OPU oocyte collection ever achieved – 285 oocytes collected from a Droughtmaster heifer, from which 74 embryos were produced.
“It is a result that speaks to the extraordinary reproductive potential within the breed and the precision of Vytelle’s in vitro fertilisation (IVF) process,” Rod Linke said.
Droughtmaster Australia CEO Simon Gleeson said the return of Vytelle as title sponsor strengthens what has quickly become a signature event on the breed’s calendar.
“We are delighted to welcome Vytelle back as the naming partner for Queen of the Ring. Last year’s sale demonstrated the appetite for a high-end female showcase of this kind, with Lamont Xena topping proceedings at $46,000. This year we are expecting an even stronger draft of up to 15 females, and having Vytelle’s name and expertise attached to the event adds real credibility for vendors and buyers alike.”
As part of the event, Vytelle will deliver an educational talk to Droughtmaster members covering both reproductive technologies and feed efficiency advancements, including Vytelle’s latest release – a methane sensor.
Nominations for the Vytelle Queen of the Ring 2026 are now open, with 15 slots available. Vendors should contact their preferred agent, Elders, GDL, or Nutrien, to secure their place.
The full week of events begins Monday 14 September with Built for This, a women in agriculture lunch at CocoBrew Rockhampton, followed by the bull walk and Drinks with Droughties on Tuesday and the National Bull Sale on Wednesday.
