Although exceptionally high prices weren’t achieved, Angus cattle are still selling well at auctions despite a challenging year, said Danie Dames, breed advisor of the Angus Cattle Breeders’ Society, at the Free State Angus Club’s production auction held on 11 October at the Bloemfontein showgrounds.
Vredenheim Poundmaker 2 (VL 220026) from Basie Bezuidenhout of Stellenbosch was the most expensive red bull at the auction and was sold for R110 000 to Malherbe Farming’s Roechama stud farm from Hertzogville.
Several bulls achieved the minimum price of R38 000, bringing the average price of the 11 bulls sold to R46 727.
The most expensive female animal was the black heifer Heyday Rainfall Black Anny 2 (GJJ 230001), which sold for R60 000. The breeders are Gavin Jankielsohn and Dr. Stuart O’Hanlon from Wesselsbron, and the buyer is Izelle Yzel from Borderland Angus, Marquard.
The four heifers achieved an average price of R26 875. Seven three-in-one cows achieved an average price of R19 857, five cows with calves R23 800, two pregnant cows R19 500, and 11 pregnant heifers R16 591.
Dames said breeders can acquire excellent bulls at affordable prices. “Since our breeders use artificial insemination extensively, our bulls don’t achieve these enormous prices. Most of the auction bulls were sold, and therefore, most are available at a reasonable price. The top 15% of bulls of our breed are available for R80 000 to R100 000. I think for R40 000 you can acquire an Angus bull that can make a difference in your herd.”
OVK presented the auction with Gareth Hughes as the auctioneer.
