Avoid the Christmas rush
A record turnover of R4 519 000 was achieved at the Bathurst West Farmers' Association cattle auction held at the Charlgrove sale pens on Tuesday 20 October. 751 cattle came under the gavel of well-known and experienced Hobson & Co auctioneer, Paul Mills.
The quality of the cattle was outstanding, as were the prices which outstripped any ever achieved in the history of this prestigious auction.
Fort Beaufort Boran cattle breeder, Stephen Johnson - who recently sold a bull for R1 million - read the market to perfection and must be congratulated on his group of 31 Boran X slaughter oxen which sold for between R8 200 and R11 200 each and way in excess of R17-80/kg.
Gerry Van Heerden from Boknes sold 2 cows for R13 200 each (a sale record) and Oom Boetie Muller from Zuney offered 41 of the best slaughter and trade oxen seen at the sale in years and was delighted with his prices - so much so that he rushed home to fetch more cattle to sell!
Another record tumbled when Justin Stirk, of Frontier Bonsmara fame, sold a group of 6-month old 250kg weaner calves for R6 050 each. Fat cows all sold for over R17/kg, weaner male calves for R22+/ kg and slaughter bulls were very dear - one belonging to Darion Keeton of Hope Farm, Port Alfred selling for R16 500.
For full details and photos go to www.hobsonandco.co.za.
Last week saw the big Hobson & Co Dorper and Boergoat ram sale being held in Willowmore which went off very smoothly.
Both breeds were in demand and averaged over R6 000 which clearly shows that there is confidence in the livestock industry at the moment. If there are any local sheep farmers needing Dorper rams, they should diarise 5 November at the monthly Grahamstown sale, where Justin Stirk has 10 very good 2 tooth rams on offer.
By the time this article hits the streets, the Umsenge Nguni sale would have been held in Grahamstown.
The breed has come under much criticism over the last few years because the feedlots do not buy them as their preferred choice, but this should not detract from the fact that they are an outstanding breed with many good attributes.
We believe that there is more variation within a breed than between breeds, so good quality Ngunis will always have a role to play in the cattle industry in South Africa.
The feedlots are more than happy to accept good quality NguniX calves at the going rate, so the savvy farmers with Nguni cows are crossing them with Black Angus, Brahman, Hereford or Charolais bulls and doing very well. The trick is to make sure you buy pure heifers as replacements to make sure you do not lose the advantages of the breed.
Next week sees a lull in the local auction calendar but the mad rush to Christmas starts in earnest in the first week of November.
The market seems set to hold as the national shortage of livestock is being amplified by the now critical drought in the Free State, Natal and Northern Province. Farmers must please plan their marketing for the next few weeks as holding on to the last minute is not always advisable.
The old experienced farmers always used to say you should have sold by the end of November - which normally proves correct.
Remember, where there are no goals there will be no significant accomplishments. There will only be existence.