The collaboration between a group of renowned Bonsmara breeders contributed to a successful production auction for André van der Heyde’s Boschoek stud at Marble Hall in Limpopo. The above-average breeding stock offered by Van der Heyde and his guest sellers ensured that all the animals were sold and generated a turnover of more than R7 million.
By Johan Norval
Before the auction, Van der Heyde said his primary focus was not on achieving record prices, but on offering quality breeding material. His top-priced bull, AH 230077, was sold for R260 000 to Nic Chapman of the Chappies stud near Thabazimbi, who was also one of the guest sellers.
Earlier this year Van der Heyde and Francois Bornman of the Ons Tuiste stud near Rustenburg, North West, paid a record R2 million for the bull LAR 220403 at Derek and Tutu Ralfe’s Up George Bonsmara production auction at Wasbank in KwaZulu-Natal. The Ralfes were among the guest sellers at the Boschoek auction and also offered stud heifers.
The second most expensive bull, AH 230191, was sold for R210 000 to fellow guest sellers Braam and Lilanie Viljoen of Langkloof Game Farm at the foot of the Waterberg near Bela-Bela. The Viljoens also bought bull AH 230062 for R75 000, as well as stud heifers TMB 240267 and TMB 240163 from Thinus Maritz of Marble Hall for R110 000 each. They purchased a further three stud heifers at prices ranging from R65 000 to R85 000.
The top-priced female was LAR 230206 from the Up George stud, which sold for R130 000 to Sarel and Thea van der Merwe of the Sathara stud near Hendrina.
Average prices for the stud females were R69 000 for cows with calves, R65 000 for pregnant cows, R70 000 for pregnant cows with calves and R87 557 for pregnant stud heifers.
Stud animals generated a turnover of more than R4,3 million. Van der Heyde’s 25 stud bulls achieved an average price of R102 800.
Commercial female averages were R13 875 for open heifers, R32 500 for cows with calves, R31 111 for pregnant cows and R31 140 for pregnant heifers.
Boschoek was registered as a stud in 2009 following a strict selection process conducted by Arthur de Villiers, who was also a guest seller, and dr Wesson van Rensburg. The core herd runs on the sweetveld of the Springbok Flats in the Tuinplaas area, while replacement heifers are raised on sourveld around Alma and Vaalwater.
The auction was presented by Vleissentraal Bosveld in collaboration with SwiftVEE at the Warmbad Livestock Market in Bela-Bela. Mike Killassy was the auctioneer.
Also read:
R280 000 bull at Moalosi auction – black Bonsmara breeders’ mentorship pays off
Buyers compete for top genetics at Vlakte Bonsmara Study Group auction
Exceptional prices at Up George Bonsmara auction
