Diederik van Pletzen and his sons, Janco and DJ, held their Kranskop Merino production auction with BKB Cradock on the farm Winterhoek in the Jamestown district on 3 February 2026. The sale was characterised by strong demand for the offering.
By Gavin Isted
Quality breeding stock from proven bloodlines went under the hammer. The ewes on offer were in lamb to the renowned Merino ram “Plofstof”.
Van Pletzen expressed his satisfaction with the outcome of the auction and his confidence that the rams will make a meaningful contribution to the respective buyers’ flocks. Kranskop Merino was established in 1988 with the primary objective of breeding rams that economically improve the entire flock, and according to Van Pletzen this remains their core breeding focus.
Prices achieved on the day reflected buyers’ confidence in the genetics on offer. The average price of the 30 rams sold was R11 696, while 10 in-lamb ewes realised an average of R4 015. In addition, 125 lambs were sold at an average of R35,25/kg and 415 lambs achieved an average of R52/kg.
The highest-priced ram was purchased for R37 000 by Willem and Gawie Naudé of Rhodes together with Ebbie Hattingh of Lady Grey. The most expensive stud ewe fetched R4 500 and was bought by Marx van Rooyen of Barkly East.
The auctioneer was Jovaan Cloete.
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