Boran bull fetches record price
After strong competition for a Boran bull from Chris Potgieter of Jakof Borane's stud, a new record was set last week at the National Boran Auction in Windhoek, when Eandro Lottering paid a hefty price of N$130 000 for the animal.
Potgieter, who farms in the Otjiwarongo area, sold another bull to Cobus van der Merwe of the St. Blaize stud farm near Gobabis.
Potgieter was proud that both bulls were purchased by other breeders, meaning that even though his bulls were somewhat younger than the others at auction, the trained eye could quickly identify them as being of excellent quality.
"This is a new record price for a Boran bull in Namibia. The previous record price was paid last year at N$115 000 for a Boran bull from Neethling Borane, who farms in the vicinity of Windhoek."
Lively competition
Potgieter, who has been farming with the cattle breed since 2013, says there was strong competition for the bull JBS19-17, with the Grootfontein breeder Kaspar Günzel also being a leading bidder.
"The Boran is an adapted and very hardy animal. Its good qualities include pack bonding, which greatly helps against theft and losses. It also helps maternal traits because the calves are protected.
"The cattle manage easily and in the drought they performed best. This is the reason why I switched to Boran cattle," said Potgieter.
"The Boran has a 'thick skin': It has good resistance to ticks.
"My father always said that the Boran's milk must have a better butterfat quality than that of other cattle, because the little calves start to grow so much within a month that you almost don't recognise them anymore."
Better for farming
Potgieter says Boran cattle also do well in crossbreeding programmes.
"The Boran's genes are very different from those of other breeds, and for that reason, the breed does very well in crossbreeding - especially with other breeds such as Nguni, Jersey. The hybrid power is incredible.
About the future of the breed, Potgieter says: "The guy who buys a bull is going to buy another bull. I think it's only going to go from strength to strength."
Potgieter, who farms in the Otjiwarongo area, sold another bull to Cobus van der Merwe of the St. Blaize stud farm near Gobabis.
Potgieter was proud that both bulls were purchased by other breeders, meaning that even though his bulls were somewhat younger than the others at auction, the trained eye could quickly identify them as being of excellent quality.
"This is a new record price for a Boran bull in Namibia. The previous record price was paid last year at N$115 000 for a Boran bull from Neethling Borane, who farms in the vicinity of Windhoek."
Lively competition
Potgieter, who has been farming with the cattle breed since 2013, says there was strong competition for the bull JBS19-17, with the Grootfontein breeder Kaspar Günzel also being a leading bidder.
"The Boran is an adapted and very hardy animal. Its good qualities include pack bonding, which greatly helps against theft and losses. It also helps maternal traits because the calves are protected.
"The cattle manage easily and in the drought they performed best. This is the reason why I switched to Boran cattle," said Potgieter.
"The Boran has a 'thick skin': It has good resistance to ticks.
"My father always said that the Boran's milk must have a better butterfat quality than that of other cattle, because the little calves start to grow so much within a month that you almost don't recognise them anymore."
Better for farming
Potgieter says Boran cattle also do well in crossbreeding programmes.
"The Boran's genes are very different from those of other breeds, and for that reason, the breed does very well in crossbreeding - especially with other breeds such as Nguni, Jersey. The hybrid power is incredible.
About the future of the breed, Potgieter says: "The guy who buys a bull is going to buy another bull. I think it's only going to go from strength to strength."
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