23 October 2023
By: Johan Norval
The breeding stock of South African meat goats is so sought after that two buyers from Africa paid the highest price for a ram and a ewe at the national Boer goat auction in Bloemfontein, where 85 rams and 108 ewes were auctioned.
Ram 21-0081 from Gerrie Ferreira of Karoo Livestock Exports in Oudtshoorn was sold to Wisdom Kpoda of Wakefield Enterprises in Accra, Ghana, for the highest price of R140 000. This ram was the reserve champion in the six-category class at this year’s World Boer Goat Show in Bloemfontein. Ram 22-0216, also from Ferreira, was sold online to a Nigerian buyer for R37 500.
The most expensive ewe (21-0240) at the auction was sold for R55 000 to Harold Okai, also from Ghana. The seller was again Ferreira, who sold another ewe with twins for R47 500 to Obinna Udeogu from Kenya. Okai also purchased another ewe, 22-0059, from Ferreira for R47 000.
Ferreira says there is high demand from Africa for breeding animals, primarily for commercial goats and animals for beginner herds.
The best breeding stock is exported to the East, Middle East and eastern Europe. However, the export of these animals is hindered by foot-and-mouth disease in South Africa and limited flights to war-torn areas.
The goats intended for export to Africa will spend a quarantine period of about two weeks on Ferreira’s Chandelier farm before they depart for their destinations.
The auction was hosted by Vleissentraal Port Elizabeth with Ian Grobbelaar as the auctioneer.
