On 9 May 2020, the KZN Elite Nguni auction took place through the medium of WhatsApp.  A proven bull was sold from the famous Nandi Nguni stud, of the LBC Biggs Trust of Cedarville, for a new Nguni world record price of R310 000.  This bull boasts outstanding figures with a cow value of 108, a growth value of 110 and a production value of 109.  The renowned Biggs family from Cedarville, who have been farming Nguni cattle for 44 years, were the sellers of this Nguni bull.

“This bull is special because his bloodline is a combination of two of the oldest Nguni herds – Yvonne du Preez and Lionel Biggs – in the country,” says Clive Biggs “His mother has bred 13 calves in a row for us by the age of 15. So, genetically this bull is exceptional. He is extremely hardy, very fertile, carries much meat, well built and passes it onto his progeny. We are delighted and grateful for receiving that amount for him, despite the unfavourable prevailing circumstances that we are all in today.”

Nico Harris from Vriendschap Boerdery that has the Matatana Ngunis stud and Barry Cole, of Manyenyeza Nguni stud, both from KZN were among seven other people who showed an interest in the bull. In the end, they were the highest bidders and bought the bull together. They beat the highest world record price for Ngunis of R197 000, recorded 15 years ago. “This is the second top bull Nico and I have bought together. This specific bull is exceptional, and our eyes have been on him for the past three years. We went over our limit, but the bull is worth it,” says Barry.

The KZN Elite Nguni sellers group hosts an annual auction which is open to all cattle buyers across the country. Due to the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic, this year’s auction was, at the last moment, changed to a WhatsApp action and presented by NetAuctions (Bloemfontein). According to the group, the success of the auction is proof that nothing can stop the country’s Nguni cattle breeders from sharing their love for the Nguni.  “The WhatsApp auction was a great success. There were 168 registered buyers on the group, with 124 females and 10 bulls on sale. We shared the catalogue of the cattle with their prices on the platform and started bidding from there,” explains Gert Coetsee (Auctioneer: NetAuctions).

Nico passionately said that NetAuctions have been part of the Nguni Society for a long time and the aim is always to better the genetics of the cattle. He says “With the ground-breaking successful first Nguni WhatsApp auction we are looking forward to other auctions through this platform!  Last year in November, with the foot and mouth outbreak, Nguni breeders were also thrown a curved ball only two weeks before the National auction.   There, once again, the Nguni breeders set the tone to be the first to host an interactive auction! So we are eager to see what surprises come our way next!”

The KZN Elite Nguni sellers group thanks and congratulates all the buyers on their purchases. They are proud of their cattle and always strive to present only the best quality at our auctions!  The sellers would like to thank Gert and his staff from Netauctions for an auction of this nature that he and his team organized in record time!

Issued for: ​​KZN Elite Nguni Group by Barry Cole, Sale convener for KZN Elite Nguni Group