24 March 2024
By: Charl van Rooyen
Up George Bonsmaras once again reigned supreme at the national Bonsmara auction in the Afridome in Parys by receiving the highest price of R320 000 for a pregnant heifer, a new South African record.
The auction in Parys coincided with Bonsmara SA’s 60th anniversary. Up George also achieved the highest price of R260 000 at last year’s national auction and the world record price of R4,4 million for a bull sold at its 2023 production auction. In 2022, the stud achieved two South African records: R550 000 for a pregnant cow with calf and R200 000 for a pregnant heifer.
Derek and Tutu Ralfe, owners of the Up George stud in Wasbank, KwaZulu-Natal, sold the most expensive heifer at this year’s auction, LAR 21-0158, to Eloff Muller of Tambaraine Bonsmaras, Mossel Bay. The previous record price of R260 000 was also paid by Eloff.
The highest price of R200 000 for a cow and calf, SYF 21-0065, was achieved by Nico Pieterse of Syferfontein Boerdery, Standerton. The buyer was Ahmed Bhamjee of Bhamjee’s Bonsmaras, Caroline. Nico also received the highest price of R52 500 for a pregnant stud cow, SYF 19-0218. The buyer was Sarel van der Merwe of Sathara Bonsmaras, Hendrina.
The highest price for a pregnant cow with calf (3-in-1) was R180 000 for DAJ 20-0133 from Justin Stirk, Frontier Bonsmaras, Alexandria and Makhanda. The buyer was Thinus Maritz of the Thinus Maritz Boerdery, Vaalwater.
Pregnant cows with calves (3-in-1) averaged R88 864 for 11 animals, pregnant stud heifers averaged R77 500 for 35 animals, stud cows with calves averaged R69 091 for 11 animals, and pregnant stud cows averaged R38 500 for five animals.
The auction was conducted by Vleissentraal Bloemfontein and Mike Killasy was the auctioneer.
