The turnover of the Ankole breed’s sixth national auction, held at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala game farm near Bela-Bela over the weekend, amounted to R21.965 million. The auction, hosted by Veewinkel, attracted about 220 attendees. Approximately 150 registered buyers, including 50 online bidders, participated.
By Jasper Raats, senior journalist at African Farming and Landbouweekblad
JP Smith, manager of Veewinkel, says interest from the industry was encouraging.
“It was an excellent presentation of top-quality animals, but also of animals that make it possible for new entrants to invest in the breed. There were several new entrants here, which is very good.”
The greatest demand was for females with proven genetics.
The most expensive animal of the day was Harley, a three-in-one cow from Full Blood Genetics, which was sold with her bull calf and was again in calf to Phondo. She was sold for R2 million.
According to MJ Ernst, chairperson of the National Ankole Auction and Information Day Committee, the three-in-one category set the tone for the auction.
“They performed exceptionally well and achieved an average price of R686 250 per lot.”
Another highlight was Gucci from Saretha Schutte’s Kilima Horned Heritage, the most expensive pregnant cow on offer, which was bought by Sias Boshoff of Amanzi for R1.6 million.
Oracle from Benella Ankole fetched R1.2 million, while Arabica from Fire Sky Ankole was the most expensive pregnant heifer, selling for R1.05 million.
Among the open heifers, Sirima from Ubhejane Ankole was the top performer, fetching R900 000, while Kenya from Ntaba Nyoni Cattle achieved the highest bull price of R260 000.
The auction also produced a new South African record for Ankole semen, when two straws from the renowned bull Mr President of Lumarie Ankole sold for R100 000 each.
The auctioneer was Brandon Leer.
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