A new trend in beef cattle auctions on 23 April contributed to the success of the final joint production auction of the Bonsmara stud farms of Frikkie Kruger of Waterpaslaagte, Boshof, and Schalk van der Merwe (LHB) of Leeuwheuvel, Christiana.
By Johan Norval
In recent years, the two partners have jointly hosted auctions early in the year at Christiana and in the third quarter at Boshof.
Van der Merwe is now planning his first independent auction in September on the farm Leeuwheuvel, while Kruger will continue with his October auction.
Louis Steyl, CEO of Bonsmara SA, says the emerging trend of hosting studio auctions – where animals remain on the seller’s farm – developed as a result of restrictions linked to foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). “This is approximately the fourth Bonsmara auction to be held in this manner. Around 20 people attended in person, while most buyers participated via the SwiftVEE platform. It also results in cost savings.”
Ian Grobbelaar, auctioneer of Vleissentraal, conducted the auction from a secluded area in a chapel at the Warm Karoo guesthouse near Bloemfontein.
According to Steyl, serious prospective buyers make the effort to evaluate bulls during on-farm visits, while photographs and video material on the online platform are sufficient to finalise purchases.
He says the beef cattle auction programme appears to be normalising, with approximately 20 auctions held by breeders in the first quarter, particularly where animals could be vaccinated timeously against foot-and-mouth disease.
He notes that one discouraged Bonsmara breeder was previously prepared to sell his bulls at slaughter value, until enquiries from buyers seeking breeding bulls resulted in all available animals being sold directly off the farm. “Several breeders whose auctions had to be cancelled due to foot-and-mouth disease sold their bulls privately to generate the necessary cash flow.”
In 2025, approximately 4 500 bulls were sold at auctions under the auspices of Bonsmara SA, of which 91% were purchased by commercial producers.
The most expensive bull at the LHB & Kruger Bonsmara auction was LHB 240029 from Van der Merwe, which was sold online for R200 000 to Herman Wilkens of the Wilbonei farm.
The Wilbonei stud has been operating on the Opraap farm between Klerksdorp and Ventersdorp since 1990. Wilkens is, among other activities, a registered grass seed producer.
Jan van der Walt of the Tensmar stud at Hartebeesfontein was the underbidder competing with Wilkens. The second most expensive bull was LHB 220220 of Van der Merwe, which was sold for R190 000 to Solar Structures Africa of Alberton.
A total of six bulls achieved prices of R100 000 or more, including LHB 240011, which was sold for R170 000 to Cobus Burger of the B2 stud at Reivilo. Many other buyers were able to secure bulls at more accessible prices of around R50 000.
A total of 32 bulls achieved an average price of R82 344, while pregnant cows averaged R20 000 and commercial cows with calves R25 000.
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