Mick and Marie Gibson and their sons Liam, Patrick and Declan, Dalby, have bought the 12 to 18-month-old steers to grass-finish on their Bulloo Downs station.

The draft, averaging 340 kilograms to 350kg, are predominantly Watervalley blacks and – based on market rates – the private sale is likely to be worth close to $3 million.

The 1.07-million hectare Bulloo Downs had been partially destocked, but with the best rain in years and the Bulloo River flowing through the property it is now flush with green feed.

"We have owned the property for nearly 10 years and have had one other flood a couple of years ago, but having the local rain too makes a big difference," Liam said.

"We have got to stock-up the station and use the grass now or it will be wasted."

In the past few months, between 150 millimetres and 200mm has fallen on Bulloo Downs and with rain still falling they have had to use an alternative trucking route to get some of the early loads in.

The sale negotiated by Elders comes less than three years since the Brinkworths sold 7437 cattle to S Kidman & Co in the largest single vendor sale in South Australia.

These were also bound for the Channel Country.

During a 2.5-week period about 54 B-doubles will be loaded from Tom and Pat Brinkworth's properties near Kingston and roll out of the South East on the 1200-kilometre journey north to Bulloo Downs.

Victorian carrier O'Sullivans, from Elmore, have the contract to deliver the cattle to Mildura where they are being spelled overnight before their journey further north in four decks using Gibson's own trucks and their Queensland carrier, Cameron Dale Transport.

* Full report in Stock Journal, February 4 issue.