By Alani Janeke
The rain that has fallen over the northern parts of the country since January is giving farmers hope for a turnaround in the red meat market.
Amid the pressure that the red meat market is experiencing, the farmers who sold livestock at the Nu-Alcade-Bonsmara group’s 38th production auction at the Warmbad livestock market are satisfied with the prices achieved. A total of 14 sellers from the group, as well as guest sellers, offered animals for sale.
Thinus Maritz, a member of the group, says good rain has started to fall since December over parts of the north and in some places the precipitation is already at the annual average levels.
“This will help our pasture a lot to grow and recover by winter. The relief of not having to feed our animals is already helping a lot.”
Maritz says most farmers they do business with have kept their core herd due to the summer drought conditions in parts of the area. Some of the farmers who usually buy several animals at their production auction in February only bought one or two lots this year, because they are carefully building their herds.
According to Maritz, the slightly better prices of their slaughter cattle and weaners were notable. “We are optimistic that the cycle is starting to turn.”
A total of 17 stud bulls were offered for sale. Three stud buyers and 14 commercial buyers bought these animals. Maritz’s bull TMB 220065, offered as lot 10, fetched the best price of R380 000. Fanus Weldhagen of Suikerboschfontein Poultry Farm near Cullinan bought him.
Jaco Steenkamp of Tweeslag Farming at Brits bought lot 8, BTB22001, from Bestrina Trust Farming at Bela-Bela for R310 000.
The average price paid by the three stud buyers for stud bulls was R248 333. The average price paid by the commercial buyers for bulls was R60 535, with R110 000 being the highest price.
The turnover of the 17 stud bulls was R1 592 500. The turnover of the 127 commercial cattle sold amounted to R2 559 750. The total turnover of the auction was R9 964 600.
The group’s next auction will be on 25 September.
