AGRA WEANER AUCTIONS ENCOURAGE PRODUCERS
Published: 31 Jul 2013

Agra weaner auctions achieved above expected average prices despite the current drought and consequent higher offer/supply.

A highlight in the weaner auction season up to now, was the auction in Otjiwarongo on Thursday, 25 July, where 2 085 cattle were sold at an average price of N$3 227 per animal, which is N$14,63/kg. The highest price for weaners at this auction was N$16.33/kg.

The highest average price for heifers was N$14.40 with a highest price of N$15.73/kg. Oxen achieved a highest price of all the cattle, N$17.50/kg.

The Otjiwarongo auction has had the most animals thus far achieving averages as follows:

• 889 tollies for N$15.02/kg
• 776 heifers for N$14.25
• 45 oxen for N$15.28
• 313 stoors for N$15.27.

Agra livestock division expressed the hope that this will be an indication of what producers can expect in the rest of the weaner auction season.

At the Grootfontein weaner auction on 17 July, average prices of more than N$13.00/kg were also achieved in all weaner categories and 1889 animals were sold for an average of 13.73/kg.

Various companies joined hands with Agra to reward the weaner calf winners with prizes with Telecom Namibia, MSD Animal Health and Bank Windhoek as main sponsors and co-sponsors: Bayer, Shell, FeedPro, Marsh, Indongo Toyota, Trentyre and Ivomec, Corporate Guarantee. Local businesses who have also contributed to weaner auctions in their respective towns were Hoffmann Farm Implements, Santam, Hollard, Dawie Koch, Wulf en Uwe Halberstadt.

In Otjiwarongo, Marius Theron was the winner in the veld potential category, while the Tjijahura Brothers walked away with arms full of prizes for second and third place in the veld potential category and for selling the most weaners. Ralph Hoffmann won the first place at Otjiwarongo for calves with feedlot potential with Astrid Krings achieving second place and first place in the heifer category.

In Grootfontein, Mr. Dries Swart was awarded first, second and third place in the category weaners with the best veld potential, first place with his heifers and he sold the most weaners. Mr. Kiep Lepen, Specialist Stud Services, who did the judging in Grootfontein and Otjiwarongo congratulated the farmers on good quality weaners offered despite current challenging farming conditions. All the winners at the different weaner auctions stand a chance to be awarded as the 2013 Agra regional weaner champions for north, central and south and the national weaner champion.