Onyuulaye auction hits record low turnout

The Onyuulaye Auction Kraal, a community-driven livestock marketing initiative in the Oshikoto region, recorded its lowest turnout to date, with only 13 head of cattle presented at the live auction on Saturday.

This marks a significant decline from the 50 cattle marketed in August.

Furthermore, only six of the 13 cattle brought to the kraal were sold.

Chairperson Esrael Sakaria explained that the auction was founded to provide communal farmers with an efficient and transparent platform for selling their livestock, eliminating the challenges of seeking private buyers.

“When cattle are sold, every transaction is logged in our system right at the kraal. The buyer does not need to go anywhere else once sold; the animal is officially registered in the new owner's name,” Sakaria told Namibian Sun.

He said the low turnout was a record.

“This is the first time we have received so few cattle from farmers. We are uncertain whether they missed the date or if they are no longer interested in marketing their cattle, and this is concerning,” he said.

Challenges

He pointed out that while the kraal is accessible to all farmers from the northern regions, the emergence of competing auctions in neighbouring areas has created new challenges. 

“Many of our customers come from places like Ompundja in the Omusati region. The introduction of an auction there deters them from travelling to Onyuulaye. While it simplifies their logistics, it poses a challenge for us,” he explained.

Sakaria urged farmers to market their livestock while they are still young and valuable, rather than waiting until they are older and have diminished market value. 

“When we observe the condition of the six cattle that were sold, their value was already reduced. It is advisable to bring cattle when they are still young to facilitate easier sales,” he advised.

Looking ahead, Sakaria announced that the committee plans to consult with farmers about suitable auction dates to prevent a recurrence of such low turnout.

“This is an unsatisfactory turnout, and I am determined not to let it happen again,” he emphasised.