The complete dispersal sale of one of South Africa’s leading Simmentaler stud herds, that of Johan Styger’s BTB Simmentaler stud near Hartbeesfontein, was marked by great nostalgia as it signalled the end of an era.
By Charl van Rooyen, senior journalist at African Farming and Landbouweekblad
Styger was compelled to disperse the stud due to poor health and because he has no sons to continue the farming operation. The farms have already been sold and the remaining implements and farming equipment will soon be offered at auction.
A large number of farmers and stakeholders from the stud breeding industry attended the auction, which was presented by Clive Gardner Auctioneers on the farm Schoemansfontein.
The auction was one of two sales held on 20 May where all cattle complied with the strict traceability requirements and were accompanied by movement permits and complete foot-and-mouth disease vaccination records – effectively a health passport.
Good prices were paid for most of the cattle as buyers recognised the rare opportunity to acquire some of the finest genetics available.
As always, auctioneer Johan van der Nest succeeded in encouraging buyers to bid enthusiastically. Most of the bulls offered at the auction were hornless animals, a trait on which Styger had placed considerable emphasis.
The highest price of R200 000 was paid for the bull Vlensburg Wolk VLB 21-228 by Dirk Fourie of Kridyn Farm near Schweizer-Reneke.
The young Simmentaler bull BTB 24-5 achieved the exceptional price of R120 000. Fourie was also the buyer of this 20-month-old bull, which is a son of Vlensburg Wolk.
Fourie also purchased the most expensive cow-with-calf unit, BTB 23-34, for R75 000 and the most expensive cow, BTB 21-80, for R26 000.
Hendrik Nel of Clive Gardner Auctioneers says he considers the heifer offering at the auction to be among the best in South Africa. Many of the heifers carry exceptional genetics.
The highest price paid for a heifer was R51 000 for BTB 24-21, purchased by Hannes Odendaal of the Odendaal Farming Trust near Villiers.
As expected at a complete dispersal sale, all the cattle were sold. The 39 bulls achieved an average price of R61 000, the 26 cows averaged R20 461,54, the 101 cows-with-calves averaged R29 188,12 and the 42 heifers averaged R27 238,10. A number of additional bulls and females were also sold, bringing the total number of animals sold to 335.
Before the auction commenced, Styger reflected on the 22 years of work invested in building the stud herd using some of the best scientific breeding methods available internationally.
He placed particular emphasis on fertility. Over the years the herd received numerous awards and was honoured with a Simdex award on eight occasions.
Styger, who farmed under the name Boekenhout Trust Boerdery, was named Breedplan Stud Breeder of the Year in 2016.
“I thank the Heavenly Father for the privilege of farming with Simmentals. Everything has cycles and I am now in my final cycle. Many thanks to all the people who helped me farm successfully and make progress, including the late Dr Michael Bradfield, Peter Massmann, Prof Frikkie Neser, Dr Bob Weaber, Kobus Bester and all the people of the LRF, of which I served as chairman for two years.”
He also paid special tribute to his wife, Annemarie, and daughters, Anje Janse van Rensburg, Elzette van Zyl and Salomé Fraser.
Salomé, who delivered the vote of thanks, said: “We should not only be sad, because this is also a very beautiful day.”
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Females perform well at Towton Bonsmara auction
Thuso Bonsmara stud farm closes after four decades with dispersal auction
Good average prices at Sutherland Karoo Meatmaster Club auction
