ANNUAL TOP 10 BONSMARA AUCTION AND INFORMATION DAY 
Published: 15 Jul 2015

The Annual Top 10 Bonsmara two day event is offering a “first of its kind” practical training day to all farmers and their herdsman, followed by an auction where the top Bonsmara animals will be on offer to interested buyers.

The Top 10 Information day will take place on 16 July 2015 at the Agra auction pens in Otjiwarongo. Farmers and their herdsman are invited to participate in the day’s activities. The opening will start at 9h00 and admission is free to all.

The first training session of the day will have theory and practical modules and will be presented by Mr. Charl van Rooyen, former breed director of Bonsmara SA. This session will entail a theoretical and practical session on the Bonsmara cattle breed and how it was developed. 

It appears that the 2015 farming year might be a difficult year for the farmer. As a result, we have planned to engage the farmers and their management team in general discussions which include the following topics:
1. Herdsman’s diary 
2. Identification of sick animals and medicine available
3. Feed supplements, and how to manage licks.

The second session will be presented by consultants of the Farmer’s Support Programme. The target attendees of the Information day are the farm herdsman and farmers.
A certificate handover ceremony, with the Honourable John Mutorwa, Minister of Agriculture, Water and Forestry as guest, will take place at the conclusion of the day at 16h00. Honourable Mutorwa will address the participants and farmers in general to encourage and equip them to better meet the severe drought and other challenges during these difficult times.

The Annual Top 10 Auction will take place on 17 July 2015 where the Top Bonsmara animals of the region will be on auction to potential buyers and breeders. Registration starts at 8h00 and the auction activities will commence at 11h00.

The aim of the auction is to have the top 40 bulls of the collective breeders on auction, together with stud and commercial heifers. 
Mr. Kiep Lepen will be available to provide expert advice to potential buyers. The following Stud Breeders will participate in the auction:
1. Wagner Bonsmaras (Ben & Corlia Mouton) 
2. Ondoka Bonsmaras (Ernie de Fries) 
3. Emok Bonsmaras (E Hansen) 
4. Tzaus Bonsmaras (Dries Venter) 
5. Okamaja Bonsmaras (G M Sigwart) 
6. Stokkies Bonsmaras ( S von Dewitz) 
7. Hochveldstreek Bonsmaras ( Streicher & Hella Coetzee)
8. Omuronga Bonsmara (Volker Kreft) 

The Top 10 Bonsmara auction has taken place over the past 5 years and we have been able to reach more than 500 farmers and extension officers in our region.