Fairworld Merinos once again proved on 19 February that it has some of the most sought-after Merino rams in the country, achieving an average price of R18 100 for 45 of its top rams.
By Ammie Pringle
This annual auction, held at Mulberry Grove outside Nxuba in the Eastern Cape, attracted both existing and new buyers and, according to Acton van Aardt of Fairworld Merinos, the 100% sale exceeded his highest expectations. The auction also saw 216 pregnant and open ewes go under the hammer, achieving an average price of R2 200.
Stefaans de Klerk, who has been a client of Fairworld Merinos for 40 years, was specially honoured at the auction when he received a quality ram from the stud.
De Klerk, who farms at Kommadagga in the Eastern Cape, attributes his superfine wool clip, averaging 16,4 microns, to the fine wool breeding material he has sourced from Fairworld rams over the years.
“I have been buying my rams exclusively from Fairworld Merinos since 1986 and I hope I will have the opportunity to do so again today.”
Lot 2, described by one of the onlookers as “pudding”, fetched the top price of R75 000. His exceptional qualities and the fact that he is a descendant of the famous Kilimanjaro – a previous fine wool ram from the Fairworld stud – placed him in a class of his own.
Johan Triegaardt and Tane Hughes of Aesa (Pty) Ltd not only secured this ram but also purchased five other rams at top prices. After the auction, Triegaardt praised Willem van Aardt, Acton’s father and founder of Fairworld Merinos, for the direction he has taken fine wool sheep breeding over the past 50 years.
“In the old days, a fine wool sheep was a small sheep, a hungry sheep. Willem proved that wrong. This is the best Merino stud in South Africa,” said Triegaardt.
The auction was conducted by BKB Cradock. The auctioneer was JP Marais.
