A ram with exceptionally high indexes – Logix merits and growth each at 115 and reproduction at 117 – was the most expensive Suffolk at the Vredesig & Vriende production auction, held at the Be Human centre north of Bloemfontein on 6 February.
By Johan Norval
The ram (375 240116) from Johnny Forbes of Vredesig Dormers & Suffolks at Darling was sold for R47 500 to Gert and Leslé Malherbe of Gersuré Suffolks.
The Malherbes were one of two guest sellers from Hertzogville who were unable to present their Suffolks due to foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) restrictions, but they supported Forbes’s auction strongly. The other stud affected by FMD was GSS Suffolks of Johan and Linette Goosen of New Suckley. They purchased the most expensive ewe (375 250058) for R28 000.
The average prices were as follows:
- stud rams R12 500
- commercial rams R7 500
- pregnant stud ewes R11 450
- stud ewes R11 750
- stud ewes with lambs R13 670
- pregnant commercial ewes R7 900
- non-pregnant commercial ewes R6 100
According to auctioneer Jan Mostert, it is a growing trend that demand for ewes in rapidly expanding breeds drives up average prices. Bidding on the ewes at the Forbes auction was faster than on the rams, while there was also lively interest on the Meerkat platform.
BKB Kroonstad presented the auction.
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