The Penderry farm outside Bedford in the Eastern Cape hosted the annual RPR Smaldeel Merino production auction on 18 February. Although strict foot-and-mouth disease protocols were followed before and on the day, this did not dampen sales, with all rams and ewes sold.
By Ammie Pringle
The auction commenced with a total of 1 055 pregnant and non-pregnant Merino ewes being sold on behalf of guest sellers from the area, as well as members of the Smaldeel Merino Group. Average prices were steady at around R2 150, with the highest price of R2 400 paid for a group of pregnant ewes.
Three stud farms – Retreat of Pyp and Anthon Lombard, Penderry of Geoff and Chris Hobson, and Robvue of Alfonso and Francois van Niekerk – together form the RPR Smaldeel Merino Group. These breeders have become known over the years for their top-quality Merino rams that produce exceptionally fine wool. This year, buyers were once again able to select from a line-up of 81 rams that will add value to their flocks.
Brandon Leer, who served as auctioneer, congratulated the breeders on the outstanding quality of their animals and assured them that their rams, as well as their ewes, rank among the best in the country.
A strong average price of R10 284 was achieved for the rams, with the highest prices paid for lot 20 from the Penderry stud (R31 000) and lot 5 from the Retreat stud (R30 000), respectively. Lot 20 was purchased by Ian van Niekerk of Albertvale in the Bedford district and lot 5 by the Edcot Trust. A further five rams exceeded the R20 000 mark, while twenty rams sold for between R10 000 and R20 000.
The auction concluded with 16 Dormer rams from the Thornpark Dormer stud of KwaNojoli (Somerset East). These rams impressed buyers with their uniformity and excellent conformation, achieving an average price of just under R9 500.
Also read:
Kranskop Merinos impress at auction
South African Meat Merino quality shines at joint Greyling & Smith-SAMM auction
R42 000 for Merino ram from Kesieberg
