Animals sell like hot cakes in the production of the production of Free State Ile de France

By Salomé van den Berg

The Free State Genetics Ilde de France Group held its fifth production auction in the Frankfort Auction Center on 5 July, where the high prices and 100% sales percentage clearly spoke about the quality of the breeding material.

The group, founded in 2020 by Henning van Tonder, Bossie Clarke and Willie Oosthuizen, held his first auction in July 2021. The group has since shown continuous growth and settled as a leading force in the improvement of Ile de France’s breeding material in South Africa.

The group comes from a cooperation initiative between stud farmers in the free state, which is committed to the genetic progress of the breed in terms of fertility, growth and carcass quality. Breeders such as the Henlin Stud in Reitz (Van Tonder), the Rossville Stud in Vryburg (Oosthuizen), the Pinnacle Stud at Ladybrand (Howard and Nicolene Hobson), the Donkerberg Stud at Reitz (Jason Davel) and the Denvor Stud at Stanford (SD and Ta Clarke Testing Toting Toting Toting Toting Toting Toting Toting Toting Toting Toting Toting Toting Toting Toting Toting Toting Toting Toting Toting Toting Toting Toting Toting Toting Toting Toting Toting Toting Toting Toting Toting Toting

The most expensive ram at the auction was DTC 230034 of the Denvor Stud, which was sold for R57 500 at the BSI Meat Corp of Michael Campher in Alberton. The Pinnacle Stud sold the most expensive female animal, an eui with a lamb, for R57 500 to Lennon Nkosi’s Prodipix 212 in Kabokweni in Mpumalanga. The auction results speak volumes about the quality offered.

The average prices were as follows:

• Pregnant ewes with lambs: R47 000

• Lambs: R3 183,33

• Pregnant ewes: R11 300

• ewes with lambs: R22 250

• Rams: R14 166.67

• Owes: R9 781.25

• Commercial pregnant ewes: R5 622.81

Support for young breeders

One of the highlights of the auction was the warm spirit of community. Sellers actively supported young emerging breeders, such as Janneman Bezuidenhout, to get their foot in the door of this industry – proof of the dedication of the group for the development of the wider sheep industry.

Van Tonder expressed his gratitude to all buyers and shared his excitement about the auction that continues to grow annually. “The IDF group is very satisfied with the outcome of this auction.”

Ian Grobbelaar, auctioneer of Vleatissentraalss, encouraged the buyers with these words: “To be the best, you have to have the best, and this auction is the place to be to make your purchases.” He pointed out that these are really beautiful animals that perform well.

Michael Campher, one of the buyers, shared this sentiment: “The purchase of these animals is just a plus. The animals can adapt to anyone and only strengthen your stud.”