The Hakuna Matata stud at Hoopstad lived up to its name and the spirit of the Swahili expression by making a strong statement at the Royal Genetics auction on 29 and 30 May, demonstrating that spending almost R1,7 million on top-quality goat genetics was no obstacle.
By Johan Norval
Owners Christiaan and Cecile Labuschagne have established themselves as some of the strongest supporters of the breeding material produced by the Maize Valley stud, also based at Hoopstad and one of the vendors at the auction.
Maize Valley, owned by Andrew and Ju-mari Roberts, was named the 2025 Savanna Breeder of Champions and the breeder with the highest points score at the World Championship in Bloemfontein. The stud was also the highest-scoring Kalahari Red breeder. Among its achievements were the grand champion Savanna ram and reserve grand champion Savanna ram, as well as the reserve grand champion Savanna ewe. The 2025 grand champion Kalahari Red ewe also originated from this stud.
Labuschagne purchased Maize Valley’s principal herd sire, Cheslin, at the Kalahari Red auction for R270 000, making him the most expensive Kalahari Red ram sold. He also bought five Kalahari Red ewes at prices ranging from R15 000 to R65 000. Lot 17 (R15 000) was presumed to be in lamb to Cheslin.
Lot 39, a pregnant Savanna ewe, was the most expensive goat sold at the Saturday auction, fetching R270 000. Bidding opened at R50 000 before the final bid was secured on behalf of Labuschagne.
Lot 55, Roberts’ pregnant two-tooth world champion Savanna ewe, was the second most expensive animal at R260 000. Lot 54, a pregnant Savanna ewe, sold for R180 000, while the Savanna ewe in lot 64 fetched R150 000. Lot 70, also a Savanna ewe, achieved R110 000.
The most expensive ram sold on the Saturday was the Savanna ram in lot 13, for which Labuschagne paid R75 000.
The most expensive Boer goat was a ewe from Maize Valley in lot 36, which sold for R50 000 to buyer number 577, Louis Passano of Pretoria.
CR Botha, marketer for Brocor, which presented the auction, says it was an exceptional sale because of the quality of the breeding material on offer and the fact that all three meat goat breeds were presented together.
He says Labuschagne is relatively new to the industry and is aiming to rapidly elevate his stud by purchasing proven breeding material.
“Maize Valley’s success in recent years is the result of years of planning by the Roberts family and breeders in the industry follow their genetics very closely.”
Maize Valley recently set the South African record price for a Savanna ram at more than R2 million.
Lot 39’s selling price of R270 000 established a new South African record for a Savanna ewe. Even lot 55’s price of R260 000 comfortably surpassed the previous Savanna ewe record of R140 000.
Average prices
Kalahari Reds
Most expensive ram: Lot 4 – R270 000
Seller: Maize Valley
Buyer: Hakuna Matata
Average stud rams: R61 285
Average herd rams: R12 666
Most expensive ewe: Lot 18 – R65 000
Seller: Maize Valley
Buyer: Hakuna Matata
Average stud ewes: R24 000
Average herd ewes: R8 109
Boer goats
Most expensive ram: Lot 9 – R20 000
Seller: Triangle Farms Boer Goats
Buyer: Iniel Schoenfeld
Average stud rams: R15 284
Average herd rams: R12 125
Most expensive ewe: Lot 36 – R50 000
Seller: Maize Valley
Buyer: Louis Passano
Average stud ewes: R15 052
Average herd ewes: R9 850
Savannas
Most expensive ram: Lot 13 – R75 000
Seller: Maize Valley
Buyer: Hakuna Matata
Average stud rams: R38 666
Average herd rams: R13 500
Most expensive ewe: Lot 39 – R270 000 (South African record price)
Seller: Maize Valley
Buyer: Hakuna Matata
Average stud ewes: R78 350
Average herd ewes: R17 333
The Kalahari Reds were auctioned on 29 May and the Savannas and Boer goats on 30 May at EnGedi Manor near Krugersdorp in association with SwiftVEE and CdP Auctioneers. Danie Strauss of Central Saleyard served as auctioneer.
Also read:
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