The most expensive Angora ram offered by House of Fibre at the Elite veld ram auction, held on 22 January at the Botanical Sports Ground in Graaff-Reinet, fetched R40 000.
By Johan Norval, senior journalist at African Farming and Landbouweekblad
The ram was bred by Roelfie van der Merwe of Newlands Angoras, Aberdeen, and was purchased by Andreas Nel of Driekuilen Angoras and Nina van Zyl of Steytlerville.
Other breeders who participated in the second auction of the Elite Veld Ram Group were Jannie Lategan of Fairview Angoras, Aberdeen, Pieter Jordaan of Legacy Angora, Aberdeen, the Grootfontein Students’ Angora Stud from Middelburg in the Eastern Cape, Petrus Marx of Marwyk Angoras, Wolmaransstad, Stephan Erasmus of Erasmus Angora Stud and Robert and Michael Bosch of Rietfontein Angoras, Somerset East.
The group of rams is taken in annually during July and runs together for six months under the same conditions.
According to Petrie Maré, regional manager of House of Fibre, the breeders managed to present an excellent offering at the auction. “The attendance was excellent, with many producers, buyers and friends enjoying the day. The auction was a huge success, despite the severe drought conditions currently experienced in the Eastern Cape – a region where most of the country’s Angora production takes place.”
The average price per ram, calculated across 66 rams, was R12 560. Stud rams achieved an average of R29 800 per ram, selected herd rams averaged R19 200 and herd rams R9 800 each.
Maré said Grootfontein’s stud ewes, in particular, drew strong attention. The stud’s most expensive kraal stud ewes were sold to Petrus Marx at R7 250 per ewe. A total of 160 stud ewes were also offered and achieved an average price of R6 500 per ewe. The 257 herd ewes achieved an average of R2 300 per ewe.
The auctioneer was Jakkie Nel.
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