South Africa’s Ankole Cattle Breeders’ Society raised over R11 million at its 5th Annual National Auction on 21 June at Bona Bona Game Lodge, showcasing record-breaking sales and the demand for elite genetics in Ankole cattle. Highlights included the R725 000 sale of a prized nine-month-old bull calf, Massai, and high-value embryo transfers offering new Ugandan bloodlines, positioning breeders for growth, diversity, and premium-quality herds.
By Maile Matsimela
The Ankole Cattle Breeders’ Society of South Africa’s national auction on 21 June held at the Bona Bona Game Lodge in North West generated more than R11 million, showcasing the growing demand for these majestic cattle with their distinctive long horns.
Ankole Society of South Africa’s Anton de Swardt said the 17 breeders that represented the Society at this 5th Annual auction have done an excellent job in selecting top quality pregnant cows, heifers, bulls, certified pregnant recipients and semen straws in this offering.
The auction presented a fantastic opportunity for breeders to invest in resilient animals that are perfectly suited for the South African conditions and environment.
The jewel of the auction was the exceptional nine-month-old bull calf Massai, owned by Ubhejane Wildlife and Full Blood Genetics in partnership with Claire and Martin Joubert, in Lot 11, which fetched R725 000. Massai represents the first live animal from the new genetics imported in 2023 to be offered at the National Auction.
The record price achieved for such a young animal demonstrates the tremendous value placed on introducing new genetics into South African Ankole bloodlines and will help provide an immediate step up for diversity in the herd.
Lot 35 featured a recipient cow carrying a valuable embryo created from the genetics of the phenomenal 60 1/8″ Dembe (BE501) bull and the impressive 52″ E731 dam. This embryo transfer package was one of the auction’s highest sellers at R600 000.
What makes this offering particularly special is that it was the first time ever that new genetics from a +50-inch dam E731 were ±ZX on auction The sire’s measurements are equally impressive with 60 1/8” horns and substantial 21+ inch bases. This embryo transfer represents a strategic way for breeders to access the most elite imported genetics.
High-Value Embryo Transfers Spotlight To Sought-After Lineages
Another new genetics recipient in Lot 36 offered by Ntaba Nyoni Cattle sold for R500 000. This recipient cow carries an embryo from the same impressive sire as Lot 35 (60 1/8” Dembe/BE501) but paired with a different dam (45 2/8” E701).
This offers an opportunity to acquire new genetics from Uganda, which are intended to improve industry standards, featuring long horns and thick bases. It presents a chance to diversify, specialise and increase a herd’s gene pool.
Lot 37 had an outstanding cow named Akani, from the Kilima Horned Heritage Program, which achieved one of the auction’s top prices at R600 000. Akani features premium lineage, being the daughter of the renowned 50 1/8” Tshinakaho bull and 48 4/8” Akira dam.
With her own impressive horn measurements (42” left, 41 4/8” right) and a tip-to-tip spread of 42”, Akani offers exceptional breeding potential. She was sold certified pregnant by the 52”+ Maximus bull, adding further value to this investment. Her SCI (Safari Club International) score of 114 4/8 further demonstrates her quality as a trophy animal.
Dottie, in Lot 6 and offered by Ubhejane Wildlife, sold for R525 000. This 6-year-7-month cow sold as a valuable 3-in-1 package – the cow herself, her Apache heifer calf at foot, and certified late-term pregnant with a calf sired by the renowned 46 2/8” Mr President bull.
Dottie’s parentage includes sire Gundo (NANK13-032) and dam Lewa (NANK06-013). With horn measurements of 33 6/8” (left) and 34 2/8” (right), and substantial bases of approximately 14 7/8”, she represents excellent value for breeders looking to expand their herds with quality genetics.
Another impressive 3-in-1 package from Kilima Horned Heritage Program, Novagrace, was sold with her Frederick bull calf at foot and certified pregnant by Kilima the 1st (a son of the famous 50 1/8” Tshinakaho) for R500 000.
At 4 years 5 months old, Novagrace already displays remarkable horn development with measurements of 41 1/8” (left) and 43 1/8” (right), a tip-to-tip spread of 52 6/8”, and an impressive SCI score of 119 1/8. Her lineage includes 49 4/8” Dyambo (sire) and 47” Avamay (dam), representing some of the finest Ankole bloodlines.
More Premier Females Command Premium Prices
Another notable offer was Nanteza. This sub-adult female from BB NA NA Livestock attracted significant interest at R480 000. At just 2 years 6 months old, she already shows impressive horn development (24 2/8” on both sides) with substantial 15 6/8” bases.
Her pedigree is exceptional, being the daughter of 46” Sebastiaan and a dam sired by the impressive 51” Mananga bull. She was offered to-be-confirmed in calf to Lando.
Monroe in Lot 17 from W2 Ankole was sold for R475 000. This 3-year-1-month cow is the daughter of the renowned 50 1/8” Tshinakaho bull. Her horn measurements of 32 7/8” (left) and 32 6/8” (right) with a 50” tip-to-tip spread at just under 3 years of age indicate excellent genetic potential. Monroe was offered to-be-confirmed in calf via AI to Dollar (W2 18-004), making her a valuable addition to any serious breeding programme.
In Lot 51, a 16-year-6-month cow from Cattle Group Farming, sold for R450 000. She comes from impressive parentage – sired by the famous 46 2/8” Mr President bull and 47”+ Botse dam.
Her horn measurements of 44 1/8” (left) and 43 4/8” (right) with substantial 17 4/8” bases make her a valuable breeding animal.
Lastly, another offering from Cattle Group Framing in Lot 57 was sold for R450 000. This 3-year-5-month cow was sold with a calf at foot sired by 48 3/8” Google (A12-005). Despite her young age, she already sports impressive horn measurements with a 44 4/8” tip-to-tip spread and substantial bases (17” left, 16 2/8” right). Interestingly, she shares the same dam (47”+ Botse) as Lot 51, allowing buyers to compare different sire influences on the same maternal line.
