A new record has been made after Bonsmara bull was sold for R4.4 million in Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal on Friday

A new record has been made after Bonsmara bull was sold for R4.4 million in Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal on Friday.

A Bonsmara bull from Poggenpoel Molopo Bonsmaras was sold for R1 million at their annual production sale in Stella.

The buyers were Sebadja Bonsmaras from Roedtan, which belongs to three partners.

Christopher Smit, who attended and bid at the auction on behalf of the partnership, told African Farming that he attended the auction solely to buy the bull in question, BBM 17-0305. He especially likes his build and correctness.

The partners have been breeding Bonsmaras for about 12 years and have their own production sale every year.

The Poggenpoel brothers were sad to say goodbye to their bull, because he is such an incredible animal.

Last year the stud, which is from Mareetsane, achieved a South African record price of R2,1 million for a bull.

Many other very high prices were reached, including R750 000 and R550 000.

The auctioneer was Johan van der Nest from Noordkaap Lewendehawe, with SwiftVee handling the online auction.

“We have been farming Bonsmaras [commercially] since 2010, and it’s important for us to take our herd’s genetic potential forward. [We] can only do that if [we] have the best bulls at [our] disposal.”

Phillip Poggenpoel of Poggenpoel Molopo Bonsmaras said he was thankful and humbled by the success of the auction. “This really is not about money for our family. For us it remains an honour to farm animals.”

Louis Steyl, breed director for Bonsmara SA, said the record-breaking bull was an exemplary specimen of the Bonsmara breed.

“At his first selection, he received a mark of nine out of nine. This really is one of the top bulls within the breed. His breeding values also indicate that he has exceptional genetic potential.

In short, his build, breeding values and [lineage] have all worked together to create an exceptional animal.”