"You need to look at the balls," explained Gcobani Dyantyi, farmer and yard assistant at a Nguni cattle auction. "If the testicles are not firm, they wont register the bull for commercial use."
"You need to look at the balls," explained Gcobani Dyantyi, farmer and yard assistant at a Nguni cattle auction. "If the testicles are not firm, they wont register the bull for commercial use."
The auction was held by Hutch Properties last Thursday at the Manley Flats stock pens on the road to Port Alfred. Auctioneer Andrew Hutchinson fetched R18,000 for a fully registered stud bull that was bred by Jacques Steenkamp from Humansdorp. Hutchinson also fetched R15,000 for a Nguni stud that was bred by Richard Lovemore of Quaggaflats. Auctioneer Rodney Austin achieved consistent prices for cows and his knowledge of the Nguni breed was evident throughout the event.
"This is the first commercial Nguni sale and we are happy with the turnout," said auctioneer Rodney Austin. "These are quality animals and they are selling well, considering the drought we have been through and the fact that these cattle just came through winter."
Hutch Properties plans to have regular cattle auctions every month, and to have a Nguni sale at least once a year. Austin said that Manley Flats used to host many auctions in the past, but for some reason they have slowed down. "This was just the beginning for us. We were testing the waters," added Austin.
"The auction yard staff, headed up by yard manager Rodney Tyson and Dyantyi, did an excellent job on the day and ensured a smooth sale," said Hutchinson.
"Even though these are very nice cattle, I am not going to buy," said Mathemba Mapuma from Seaview farm in Hamburg. "This is not the kind of animal that impresses me. I am here just to have a look," he added. Mapuma prefers the Brahman breed to the small framed Nguni.
