By Jan-Hendrik de Villiers
Willie Henning and his son Herman’s Kesieberg Merino production auction was held on 5 February at the farm Leeuwfontein near Burgersdorp in the Eastern Cape. One ram fetched an above-average price.
This ram was the most expensive at the auction and was sold for R34 000 to Cassie van Heerden from Burgersdorp. Herman describes the animal as an exceptional ram with good conformation and a broad chest. The ram’s wool component was also of high quality.
Thirty-four rams were auctioned at an average price of R9 345, while 54 open four-tooth to full-mouth ewes were auctioned at an average price of R1 775. At the auction, 30 four-tooth to full-mouth ewes pregnant with singles and 28 four-tooth to full-mouth ewes pregnant with twins fetched an average price of R2 150.
Although the general prices at the auction weren’t low, the prices for top rams weren’t exceptionally high, says Herman. “The average prices aren’t bad. I don’t think it’s much worse than previous years. The average is good, but you can see in people’s mood and finances that they aren’t ready to buy more expensive rams.”
He believes the auctions will improve when livestock prices and weather conditions improve.
BKB Cradock presented the auction. The auctioneer was JP Marais.
