Konsortium shatters record

South Africa's record turnover for a Merino ram sale was shattered at Konsortium-Merino's 13th production sale, when the breeders improved their previous best by R147 550. Konsortium-Merino would like to thank all their loyal clients for their part in making this Spring auction such a resounding success.

The 187 Konsortium rams were all sold for an average price of R6 763. The turnover of R1 264 700 for the rams is a new South African record and it is only the third time in history that the R1 million mark has been breeched. The previous high of R1 117 150 was set at Konsortium-Merino’s 12th production sale in February 2007, when 199 rams were sold.

The highest price paid at this Spring auction was R40 000 for a merit ram. This ram has a BLUP breeding value of 5.1kg for body weight. He was bought by two farmers from Loxton: Melt van den Heever from Duikerfontein and Boetie van der Westhuizen from De Hoop.

The second highest price of R36 000 was paid for a silver merit ram. The buyers were Michael Lord from Souverein, Hofmeyr and brothers, Lourens van Heerden from Bella Vista, Tarkastad and Albert van Heerden from Van Vuurenshoek, Hofmeyr.

Hot on their heels were another group of Hofmeyr farmers – Tommy Roux and his sons, Piet and Jakkals Roux, Pierre and Kobus Marais, Matt Philps and Johan Froehlich. They paid R34 000 for a silver merit ram.

Herman Venter was the lucky one to walk away with the Honda Bushlander. Approximately 340 people attended the sale. The 2 088 ewes fetched an average price of R859 with the highest price being R1 400 for pregnant stud ewes.