Strong competition among bull buyers, high demand for females that resulted in excellent prices and good support from KwaZulu-Natal’s Zulu-speaking cattle farmers were among the highlights of Grassfields Farm’s 23rd production auction, hosted by Rustin Shawe on 11 June.
By Johan Norval
Shawe, who farms in the Groenvlei district near Wakkerstroom and was named Voermol’s 2024 Cattle Farmer of the Year, is well known for his Grassfields cattle enterprise, which comprises a Droughtmaster stud and a commercial herd. The commercial herd includes Brahman, Simmentaler, Angus and Beefmaster crossbred cattle.
The auction was hosted by Simon Hughes in collaboration with the Meerkat platform. Auctioneer Johan van der Nest opened the bidding at R100 000, setting the stage for spirited competition among buyers.
Artimus GRB 220112, a proven Droughtmaster stud bull, created a stir at the start of the auction when he sold for R380 000. The successful bidder was Dihan Viljoen of Tau Droughtmasters near Leeudoringstad.
Viljoen’s father, Hansie, was named the 2025 Grain Producer of the Year – 33 years after his grandfather, Boetie Viljoen, was recognised as South Africa’s leading maize producer. Artimus will now be incorporated into the breeding programme to serve the first-calving cows.
The Viljoen family’s extensive farming and business operations extend from Cyferbult in North West to properties in the Free State and Ghanzi in Botswana, and also include a feed manufacturing business.
A total of 12 bulls sold for more than R100 000. Commercial Grassfields bulls averaged R61 822, with the highest-priced commercial bull selling for R140 000 to John Leonard of Kroonstad. Droughtmaster bulls achieved an average price of R122 222. Total turnover at the auction exceeded R5 million.
Droughtmaster heifers averaged R49 846. The three highest-priced heifers each sold for R75 000 to Philip Peters, Tirisano Droughtmasters of Kameelvlakte near Upington and Brahwel Farm near Klerksdorp respectively.
Droughtmaster cows averaged R40 200, with the highest-priced cow selling for R75 000 to Don McHardy of Reeba Droughtmasters near Dargle.
Pregnant commercial heifers achieved an average price of R22 164, while commercial cows averaged R22 137.
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