Slow drives and quick sales

I thought being a journalist was a really laid-back job but have soon realised that sticking to deadlines and schedules makes it like any other business.

So here I am at 4.30am on Wednesday drinking my second cup of coffee in Willowmore, listening to a rooster (most likely bought at the Fetting’s sale) reminding me that “By the Horns” needs to be in for publication this morning.

Do yourselves a favour and take a slow drive into the countryside and enjoy the scenery – lush vegetation; full farm dams; fat, content game and livestock, many with newborn offspring, and abundant bird life.

The roads are in an atrocious state between Southwell and Port Alfred and Southwell and Kenton so do not be in a hurry.

An even better idea would be to contact Mike and Ingrid Moss out at Mosslands and book a hike on their well laidout trail.

It is really worth the cost and effort as you will be witnessing probably the best spring the district has had in the past decades.

The Alphaeton Bonsmara, Boergoat and Fowl sale held near Fort Beaufort last Friday was once again a huge success with a 100% sale being achieved.

The Fetting family must be congratulated on the quality of the stock offered and this was vindicated by the demand shown by the 83 buyers who registered.

The 32 Bonsmara bulls averaged R29 901 each and sold in a range from R18 000 to R48 000.

Pierre and Jacobus le Roux, who sell as guest sellers on the auction, received the highest female price of R9 300 each for a beautiful lot of five preg- nant Bonsmara heifers.

The Boergoat rams were in huge demand and averaged more than R5 000 each but Savannah rams were surprisingly less popular this year.

A highlight is when the eight lots of Fetting’s famous fowls consisting of one rooster and two hens are auctioned at the end of the sale.

This year prices were down from last year's high of up to R800/lot and sold for an average of approximately R350/lot.

The Bathurst cattle auction held at the showgrounds on Wednesday was a roaring success and high prices were realised, especially for fat cows and weaner calves.

There were 153 cattle on offer and sold and Norman Elliott received well over R17/kg for a magnificent parcel of fat cows.

As reported last week, the Umsenge Nguni auction will be held at the Hobson & Co sale pens in Grahamstown next Thursday (22) October where there is a stunning offering of quality bulls and females. For more details visit www.umsengengunis.co.za