As far as auctioneer Brandon Leer knows, this is the first time that four bulls of the same breed from one seller have sold for more than R1 million each.
Up George Bonsmaras, owned by Derek Ralfe, held its 26th production auction on 5 July in Wasbank, KwaZulu-Natal.
The top price of R2,3 million was paid for the bull LAR 20-284. It was sold to Baszohn Bonsmaras of Eben Basson and Wessel Ebersohn from Mooi River in KwaZulu-Natal and Mvelo Duma’s Tsar Bonsmaras, also from Mooi River. The bull’s sire is LAR 17-339.
The second most expensive bull was sold for R1,7 million to Frits Kroon Farming from Pretoria. The other bulls that sold for more than R1 million were LAR 210250, sold for R1,1 million to Leeuwbult Farming from Theunissen, and LAR 200375, sold for R1 million to Sebadja Bonsmaras from Marble Hall. Another bull, LAR 210199, sold for R900,000.
Up George Bonsmaras’ 2023 auction also caused great excitement when a new South African record of R4,4 million for a beef bull was achieved by the Bonsmara LAR 19 0373.
“The auction exceeded everyone’s expectations and there is no doubt that it is one of the top three auctions of the year,” said Leer.
AAM Auctioneers conducted the auction and all 70 SP bulls and 70 SP cows were sold. The bulls fetched an average price of R208 224, cows with calves sold for R91 464, cows for R38 031, and commercial cows for R21 391.
Leer said Up George is known for its quality breeding material and purebred animals, and the bulls that fetched the top prices are on the same level as those at previous auctions.
Buyers return
According to Leer, the number of people at the auction increases every year and he believes a larger tent will probably be needed in 2025.
He noted that regular buyers come back year after year to purchase animals.
Leer said he is sometimes asked why farmers return every year to pay high prices for Up George’s bulls. “It is simple. Farmers will not come back and continue to pay the prices if it does not work for them, but clearly the bulls produce value for their buyers, and they return.”
