No bull: record R310 000 paid on auction for Nguni
Auction held via WhatsApp brings a top price for ‘generically exceptional’ and ‘extremely hardy’ Nguni bull.
It may sound like a load of old bull, but it’s absolutely true. A South African Nguni bull has sold for a world-record R310 000 at auction.
According to Farmer’s Weekly, this beats the previous highest world-record price for a Nguni bull of R197 000, recorded 15 years ago.
In line with the Level 4 lockdown restrictions applicable throughout the country, the animal was sold via an auction held on WhatsApp.
Bull’s exceptional bloodline and genetics
“This bull is special because his bloodline is a combination of two of the oldest Nguni herds in the country,” said Clive Biggs of LBC Biggs Trust, which sold the animal.
“Genetically he is exceptional,” he said in a press release issued by the KZN Elite Nguni Group. “He is extremely hardy, very fertile, carries much meat, is well built and passes these traits on to his progeny. We are delighted and grateful for the winning bid, especially considering the unfavourable circumstances we are currently in.”
Price paid for the bull is ‘well worth it’
Nico Harris of Matatana Ngunis and Barry Cole of Manyenyeza Ngunis, both from KwaZulu-Natal, were the highest bidders.
“This is the second outstanding bull Nico and I have bought together,” said Cole. “This specific bull is exceptional and we have had our eye on him for the past three years. The price we paid is well worth it.”
A 2019 article published in Farmer’s Weekly notes that “Ngunis have excellent breeding potential, renowned resistance to tick-borne livestock diseases and outstanding maternal ability”.
Cattle auctions go digital during lockdown
The KZN Elite Nguni sellers group hosts an annual auction, which is open to all cattle buyers across the country. However, due to the COVID-19-related lockdown restrictions, this year’s auction was changed to a digital format.
“The WhatsApp auction was a great success. We shared the catalogue of the cattle with their prices on the platform and started bidding from there,” explained Gert Coetsee of NetAuctions in Bloemfontein who hosted the auction.
“[Following] the ground-breaking successful first Nguni WhatsApp auction we are looking forward to [hosting] other auctions on this platform.”
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