An Ankole heifer from President Cyril Ramaphosa's Ntaba Nyoni cattle farm has sold for R6.4m, setting a South African record for a female animal across all cattle breeds. The in-calf heifer, Queen Arusha, was sold at the Ntaba Nyoni & Friends auction at Phala Phala, near Bela-Bela, Limpopo, on October 3. This significant sale was confirmed by Veilingswinkel COO JP Smith, according to Farmer's Weekly.
Ntaba Nyoni cattle farm has 20 years of experience in the cattle-farming industry and was the first to introduce Ankole longhorns into South Africa. The farm's cattle operation has evolved significantly over the past two decades, initially focusing on buying and raising weaner cattle from breeders in various areas, including the Eastern Cape, Vryburg, and Namibia. At its peak, the cattle herd reached about 6,000.
The farm later expanded into feedlot operations with numbers reaching as many as 8,000 cattle at any given time. However, it eventually moved away from feedlotting towards breeding cattle studs. This stud-farming journey began after Ramaphosa developed an interest in Ankole cattle during a visit to Uganda in 2004, following which the farm bought 40 cows and three bulls from President Yoweri Museveni.
The embryos from these cattle were brought to South Africa and formed the foundation of the Ankole stud cattle now found in the country. Ntaba Nyoni farms with various breeds, including Ankole, Bonsmara, Boran, Nguni, and Wagyu cattle. The farm's breeding philosophy centres on acquiring high-quality genetics, maintaining detailed records, and good management.
The record-breaking sale of Queen Arusha was part of an auction that generated R22.5m in total turnover, with about R490,000 paid per lot on average. The auction attracted 120 registrations, while about 100 people attended the event in person. This event also saw two straws of sexed semen from Optimus Prime sell for R250,000 each, setting a new South African record for sexed semen across cattle breeds.
In addition to the record-breaking heifer and semen sales, the auction saw 10 bulls sell for a combined R2.75m, with the highest-priced bull fetching R650,000. Eight heifers sold for an average of R482,500, while the highest-priced heifer in that category sold for R900,000. A total of 37 straws of semen were sold for R1.235m, and 19 embryos were sold for a combined R1.445m.
Ntaba Nyoni's vision is to breed top genetics and be the proud leader in the South African cattle industry. The farm boasts some of the finest cattle in South Africa, with a focus on excellence and conserving natural surroundings. With 750 cows and 300 bulls, the operation lists three registered stud breeds.
Key points
- The Ankole heifer, Queen Arusha, sold for R6.4m, setting a South African record for a female animal across all cattle breeds.
- The record-breaking sale was part of an auction that generated R22.5m in total turnover.
- Ntaba Nyoni cattle farm has 20 years of experience in the cattle-farming industry and was the first to introduce Ankole longhorns into South Africa.
