Ferrero Bonsmara’s strong reputation was reflected at its latest production auction, where 40 bulls averaged R78 125 and the top bull sold for R250 000.
By Johan Norval
The apple kings of the Eastern Free State hosted a successful Bonsmara production auction on 21 July on the farm Grootdraai, owned by Kiewiet Ferreira and his sons, Nelius, Johan and Theo.
The Ferrero group’s cattle division is just one facet of this farming operation. The farming enterprises are meaningfully divided between Kiewiet and his sons. Nelius is responsible for the livestock and apple operations, while Theo and Johan oversee the crop and potato enterprises. Kiewiet remains at the helm of the overall operation.
Strong support from fellow stud breeders, who acquired Ferrero Bonsmara breeding material at highly affordable prices, is proof of their confidence in the value of these cattle.
The most expensive bull was lot 12 (AJF 230599), which was sold for R250 000 to the Germar stud of Gert and Gerhard Nel of Bloemfontein. The Nels also acquired lot 3, AJF 230374, for R100 000. The 40 bulls sold achieved an average price of R78 125.
Among the loyal supporters were stud breeders Danie and Tsaats Hattingh of the Wesdan stud near Heilbron, who purchased eight bulls for between R50 000 and R80 000 each. Arthur de Villiers of Arcadia, Vrede, one of the country’s renowned Bonsmara breeders, also purchased two bulls online for specific characteristics: AJF 240199 for R65 000 and AJF 240093 for R70 000.
Prices for commercial females in various stages of production ranged from R20 000 to R25 000. Gerrit van Zyl, the award-winning Bonsmara breeder from Struisfontein, Dewetsdorp, acquired several lots. The lowest price for females was R12 000 each for eight open heifers.
The auction was hosted by BKB Bethlehem in collaboration with the SwiftVEE platform. Mike Killassy was the auctioneer.
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