By Lebogang Mashala, Editor of African Farming
The Lekatu Simbra & Simmentalers Total Dispersal Sale auction, held on 12 March at the Lichtenburg Showgrounds in North West, showcased exceptional genetics for livestock breeders. The sale featured 15 bulls, 160 Simbra females, and 40 Simmentaler females.
Lot121 Lekatu Lebu (LKT146 B) achieved the highest price of the day, R150 000.
Lebu is the dam of Lekatu Buick, the Simbra Champion of the World Bull for 2023. She is a distinguished show cow and has received several accolades: Senior Champion in Parys in 2021, National Senior Champion in Parys in 2023, and Reserve Grand Champion at the same event. She is eight months pregnant with calves by Lekatu Provider/Richter Buks.
According to Dr Obakeng Mfikwe, owner of Lekatu Studs, Lebu is one of the cornerstones of the Lekatu herd, having been bred from Jacmar Libido. “She is certainly a cow to consider for embryo donation as well,” he says.
Lot 42, Richter Rolls Royce (JHR16263), was the second highest-priced animal at the auction, selling for R120 000 in the bulls category. Mfikwe described Rolls Royce, a son of Richter Ruben, as a deep, broad, and lengthy bull with tremendous capacity and masculinity. “We have used this bull extensively in our stud, and his progeny speak for themselves. He embodies all the attributes that form the cornerstone of our breeding philosophy: fertility, growth, bone structure, balance, capacity, width, length, robust scrotums and underlines, and excellent udders,” Mfikwe explained.
The most expensive heifer at the auction was a daughter of Roll Royce, identified as LKT2233C (Lot 10), who sold for R65 000. Before the sale, Mfikwe announced that he would be stepping away from stud breeding to focus on expanding and developing his vertically integrated red meat business.
“My father introduced me to the Simbra breed, which has been central to my farming operations ever since. This inspired me to name my stud ‘Lekatu’, a name he was affectionately known by in his younger years. This name will remain a part of cattle pedigrees for many years to come. I can confidently say that no other breed will ever replace the Simbra in my life!” said Mfikwe.
