Merino SA hosted its annual national Merino auction in Robert Sobukwe Town (formerly Graaff-Reinet) on 10 July. A total of 46 Merino rams from seven well-known studs went under the hammer. Strong support from Lesotho buyers kept local buyers on their toes, while Lesotho’s minister of agriculture, the Hon. Selibe Mochoboroane, also attended the event.
By Ammie Pringle
Of particular significance was the fact that this was the first small-stock auction of its kind in South Africa where every animal on offer had undergone genomic testing. Developed by Stud Book SA, genomic testing analyses an animal’s DNA to identify traits that cannot easily be observed, including disease resistance, meat quality and parasite tolerance.
Grant Naudé, president of Merino SA, said before the auction that this marked a special milestone for the organisation and a major step forward for the Merino industry.
“Buyers and sellers now have critical information about their animals that was previously unavailable. This will help them make informed decisions about the future of their farming enterprises. I believe you cannot farm for the future with yesterday’s technology.”
Naudé also said that all seven participating stud breeders had voluntarily agreed to have their rams genomically tested.
“It is encouraging because it shows a willingness among Merino SA and Merino breeders to move the industry forward together.”
He admitted that the genomic test results could come as a surprise.
“Obviously we are a little anxious about the results and they may even be shocking, but we believe they will ultimately move the industry forward.”
The participating studs were Andrew Jordaan and Sons of Nxuba (formerly Cradock), Trumps Merinos of Hanover, Wellwood Merino Stud and Group 3 Merinos (both from Robert Sobukwe Town), Onderstetuin Merinos of Murraysburg, Buffelspoort Merinos of Middelburg in the Karoo, and Kleinzuurfontein of Springfontein.
Jaco Potgieter of Group 3 Merinos was pleased with the strong turnout but remained realistic ahead of the auction.
“I believe the increase in meat and wool prices, coupled with the welcome rain, attracted more buyers. We simply hope all our rams will sell at good prices.”
Shortly after the auction began, lot 3 from Andrew Jordaan and Sons sold for R100 000 to the Matlakeng Wool Growers Association (MWGA) of Maseru, Lesotho. Shortly afterwards, the same buyers purchased lot 10 from Trumps Merinos for R100 000. Lots 27 and 28 from Group 3 Merinos were also sold to buyers from Maseru for R60 000 and R40 000 respectively. Buffelspoort Merinos’ polled rams were in strong demand, averaging R53 000. The overall average price at the auction was R30 500.
Auctioneer Johan Moolman, who conducted the auction on behalf of BKB Cradock, said the sellers were generally very pleased with the prices achieved and that it had been a privilege to conduct the auction.
Willie van Heerden, manager of Merino SA, said after the auction that the organisation’s vision of building a strong partnership between Merino stud breeders and commercial producers is beginning to bear fruit.
“We are excited about the future of the Merino industry. The excellent attendance at last night’s gala dinner and today’s auction once again demonstrated the strong interest in Merino sheep. Buyers from Lesotho have supported South African Merino auctions for many years, but this year’s event was especially significant because their minister of agriculture also attended.”
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