Williston’s goat and young ewe auction once again attracted widespread interest from both buyers and sellers this year.
By Fredalette Uys
The auction was very well attended, according to Philip van Schalkwyk, one of the organisers. There was good support from local farmers as well as neighbouring towns, with buyers coming from as far away as Pretoria, Robert Sobukwe Town (Graaff-Reinet), Douglas and Kimberley. The online auction also attracted great interest, with around 1 600 people viewing the animals on the SwiftVEE platform, a significant improvement on previous years.
The most expensive White Dorper ram was sold by Gawie Krugel of Krugel White Dorper Stud for R26 000 to Never Stop Trading of Williston.
Another excellent price of R13 000 was paid for a British Alpine ewe from Van Schalkwyk. The ewe was sold to Casper Byleveld of the Nico Botha Boer Goat Stud at Britstown. This seller and buyer also made headlines last year when Van Schalkwyk sold a British Alpine ewe to Byleveld for a record price of R18 000.
A Boer goat ram from Byleveld was sold for R16 000 to Jacqui Jooste of Williston.
Several Boer goat ewes from, among others, the Nico Botha Boer Goat Stud, Biedouw Boer Goat Stud of Clanwilliam and Charl Baard of Keimoes were sold for R7 000 to various buyers.
A Dorper ram from Grootfontein Dorpers, owned by Dewitt Hodgson of Williston, was sold for R17 000 to the Waterkloof farm at Williston.
Community auction
The 21st Williston goat and young ewe auction was held over two days at the Williston Showgrounds and at the TVK Feedlot.
Dairy goat ewes, as well as farm goat ewes and rams, were offered at the goat auction on 25 August at the showgrounds. Dorpers, White Dorpers, Meatmasters (ewes and rams), as well as crossbred, Van Rooy and Persian ewes, were offered at the young ewe auction at the TVK Feedlot on 26 August.
A sale percentage of 97% was achieved at the goat auction, with a turnover of R587 000. A sale percentage of 93% was achieved at the sheep auction, with a turnover of R3.2 million.
The auction is presented annually by the Williston Meat Cooperative, the Williston Agricultural Union and the Williston Show, after which the profit is divided among them. Williston’s VLV managed the café at the sheep auction.
The auctioneer was Ters Marais.
Also read:
WATCH | Morakeng Boer goat breeders sell R296 000 in genetics
Highest price of R71 000 for Dohne Merino
Entire offer sold at Merino Landsheep Society national auction
