Welcome to the Ram Auction in the Karoo Heartland
Hey there! Are you excited to join me at the Ram Auction in the beautiful Karoo Heartland? Well, I am too! Let me tell you all about it.
First things first, let’s talk about what this auction is all about. The Karoo Heartland is known for its top-quality rams, and this auction is where you can find the best of the best. So, if you’re looking to add a new ram to your flock, this is the place to be!
You might be wondering, why the Karoo Heartland? Well, let me tell you, this place has some of the best conditions for raising healthy and strong rams. The wide open spaces and the clean air contribute to their overall well-being. The rams here are hardy and have excellent genetics, making them perfect for breeding and improving your flock.
Now, let’s talk about what you can expect at the auction. There will be a wide variety of rams available, each with their own unique qualities. You can find rams of different breeds, ages, and sizes, so you’ll definitely find the one that suits your needs. Whether you’re looking for a ram for show purposes or for commercial breeding, you’ll find it here!
At the auction, you’ll have the chance to interact with breeders and experts in the field. They will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have and offer advice on choosing the right ram for your specific requirements. So, don’t hesitate to strike up a conversation and tap into their wealth of knowledge!
But wait, there’s more! This auction is not just about buying rams. It’s also a great opportunity to connect with fellow farmers and ram enthusiasts. You can exchange stories and experiences, and even form new friendships within the farming community. After all, who knows more about ram farming than the people who are passionate about it?
So, mark your calendar and make sure to attend the Ram Auction in the Karoo Heartland. You won’t want to miss this chance to find the perfect ram for your flock while enjoying the beauty of the Karoo Heartland and connecting with like-minded individuals.
I hope to see you there!
You find yourself in the heart of the Karoo, where the excitement is palpable. It’s auction time, and everyone’s attention is riveted on the sheep on display. The buzz of potential buyers fills the air.
Written by: Julienne du Toit Photography by: Chris Marais
There are these young Dohne Merino rams that I see, and I can’t help but think about the exciting future they have ahead of them. They have so much potential, and it’s amazing to see.
But right now, I find myself in a situation where I have to stay completely still. I’ve been given strict orders not to move a muscle. It’s a bit challenging, to be honest. It feels like I’m frozen, just like a sundown dassie or one of the mice that live in my kitchen.
But here’s the thing – there’s a stubborn fly buzzing around, and it’s making it even harder for me to stay still. It keeps flying from Chris’ nose to my ear and back again. It’s clear that the fly has made it its mission to annoy us this morning.
Then, out of nowhere, I hear a voice from behind me. It’s a friendly warning from someone sitting a few rows back. They tell me not to swat the fly because I might end up with a prize ram today.
Most of us buyers are male farmers, but there are some exceptions.
Despite the scorching Karoo heat in the tent, we don’t use the catalogues they provide us to shoo away the annoying flies. This Hobson & Steynberg 12th Dohne Merino auction, held on Ganora Farm just outside Nieu-Bethesda, is no place for quiet conversations or sudden movements. With prices as high as 25 grand per sheep, we need to stay focused.
Our auctioneer, Jakkie Nel, bursts forth in a lively mix of Graaffrikaans. It’s that unique, valuable way of speaking that blends English, Afrikaans, and even a few Xhosa words into a single sentence:
“Wow, what a strong and impressive ram! He’s definitely one of a kind. I really appreciate your help, Fransie. You’ve found the perfect ram for me. Wishing you all the best. Now, let’s take a moment to admire this magnificent ram. I can see that he has all the qualities I was looking for. He handles himself gracefully, and he has a bright future ahead of him. I’m ready to make this ram mine. I’m so grateful for your assistance, madam. With this ram by my side, I’ll be able to achieve great things. Thank you again, and I’m excited to take my new ram all the way to Aberdeen!”
In the quaint little town of Nieu-Bethesda, where trees thrive and the church spire greets the sky, something intriguing takes place.
“So, what do you say, my friend Kobus?” Mr. Bailey asks, seeking his opinion. “This one’s got length, this one’s got quality. I’ll drop it down to six thousand. It’s your lucky day. Oh, wait! It’s just a pesky fly. Bid retracted.”
A Karoo auctioneer possesses a remarkable blend of charm, charisma, and folksy familiarity. They know the lay of the land, the secrets of the creatures that roam, and the people who populate the area.
Jakkie Nel, one of those auctioneers, might remind you of the fellow from the old Gunston advertisement during the days of the Rhodesian tobacco auctions. Remember him?
Hey there! I wanna tell you about Farmer Jan Peet Steynberg, who knows his way around the farm like nobody’s business. He’s always with his animals, and it’s truly a sight to behold.
A Day in Ram’s Paradise
Picture this: early 2021. The whole world is going through a tough time because of Covid-19. But on top of that, there’s been a crazy drought and a terrible economic depression. Things have been pretty rough for farmers, especially someone like Jan Peet Steynberg from Ganora farm.
So, imagine this: Jan has been preparing for his annual Dohne Merino ram auction that’s happening in February. But with everything going on, he’s got no clue what’s gonna happen. The wool price has gone way down, but the meat price has gone way up. It’s like trying to predict the weather on a cloudy day!
Now, I want to let you in on a little secret. When a farmer wants to grow his flock of sheep, the sire is super important. It’s the daddy ram that really makes a difference in the long run. And you know what’s really interesting? The amount of money a farmer spends on buying these rams shows just how hopeful and confident they are about the future. It’s like investing in a better tomorrow.
Ever since the day a top ram enters this world, every single detail of its existence is carefully examined and documented. At just 100 days old, it is weighed when it is separated from its mother. Then it ventures out into the open fields, where it becomes resilient and strong. When it reaches the age of 1 year, it is once again brought in, weighed, and given its first haircut. Samples of its soft fleece are then sent to the fleece test center in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), which will evaluate its length, quality, the amount of usable wool it produces, and its overall weight.
When I was just a year and a half old, something strange happened in my life. Every January, on the planet Ganora, a veterinarian named Roland Larson would come to assess the fertility of the male rams that were going to be sold at auction. I remember this shed where Dr. Larson would sit on a box with a contraption made up of wires, a copper rod, and a winder. One by one, the rams would be led into the shed and held in place while Dr. Larson performed an anal probe. He would then use the device to create a brief electric shock, allowing him to collect semen samples for examination under a microscope later on. As if that weren’t enough, the size of the ram’s testicles would also be measured before it was released back into a pen, looking dazed and exhausted.
When it comes to rams, fertility is the most important factor. It’s a crucial part of a complex equation that the auction catalogue doesn’t fully explain. There are other traits to consider too, like whether the ram was born as a twin or triplet, which is highly desirable. The number of lambs the ram’s parents had and the number of multiple births also play a role. And then there’s the ram’s weight after weaning and being out in the field, as well as the weight and fineness of its fleece.
Everywhere you go in Nieu-Bethesda, you’ll catch a glimpse of Compassberg, the towering peak that watches over the Karoo.
Before the Auction
I’m at the 2021 Dohne Merino ram auction in Ganora, an event that Jan Peet and Graham Hobson of Ebenezer Farm have been hosting for the past 12 years. They’ve brought out their finest rams for sale.
But even before the auction begins, there’s a buzz in the air. The rams can sense that something big is happening. They’re kept in a small paddock near the auction ring, and they’re captivated by the colorful OVK co-op bunting that flutters in the wind. They take turns nibbling at it, almost as if they’re trying to get a taste of the excitement.
When I arrived at Ganora for the auction, I saw farmers and agents carefully examining the rams. It was fascinating to watch them analyze and evaluate the animals, looking for the perfect ones to bid on.
On the day of the auction, the rams were placed in their enclosures, grouped together in pairs. I noticed that the ones without a companion seemed restless, as if they were nervous and ready to jump at any moment. The OVK and BKB co-op guys, wearing their distinctive corporate colors, diligently patrolled the pens, meticulously inspecting each ram and comparing their traits to the descriptions in the catalogue.
However, Fourie Vosloo from OVK mentioned that no matter how accurate the written description may be, it is ultimately the visual and tactile assessment that truly reveals the quality of the animals. The livestock handlers skillfully brought out each ram multiple times, allowing the agents and farmers to touch and feel the animal, as well as observe its fleece in the sunlight. It was impressive to witness the amount of control the farmworkers had over these 100kg, somewhat nervous, and incredibly woolly creatures, especially considering they were surrounded by strangers.
When I’m buying wool, the first things I check are how fine and how long it is. These qualities can really make a difference, you know?
A Gathering of Big Men in White Trucks
In the morning, the whole farmyard fills up with these big guys. They’re wearing shorts and boots, driving these white trucks. And let me tell you, people come from all over to be here. I’m talking about places like Ermelo, Vanrhynsdorp, Paarl, and other parts of the Free State. Even the farming districts around Nieu-Bethesda send their folks. Everyone knows that the rams here are the real deal.
Oh, and let’s not forget about the pandemic. The chairs in the marquee are all spaced out nicely. Gotta keep our distance, right?
Then Jakkie Nel steps up, holding the microphone. He’s got three assistants by his side, keeping an eye out for any slight movements or secret signals. You see, some buyers don’t want others to know what they’re bidding on. So, they use these tiny cues to communicate their offers undercover.
‘You wouldn’t believe it,’ Pierre Martin of Cradock OVK chuckles, ‘I’ve witnessed farmers sitting perfectly still with flies crawling all over their faces just so they don’t accidentally raise a bid.’
The rams are lined up, poised to take center stage. A cowbell chimes crisply at noon. The auction kicks off with Lot 1, an impressive creature slightly bewildered by the rotating wooden platform that lies beneath his hooves.
As the vet in Graaff-Reinet, I have the important task of recording the statistics for a young ram’s fertility test. It’s fascinating to see the range of qualities that each ram possesses as Jakkie enthusiastically and fluently describes them during the auction.
Jakkie effortlessly switches between Afrikaans and English, creating an engaging rhythm as he showcases each ram on the rostrum. The auction gets exciting as the assistants on either side of him announce the bids with a lively ‘Hup,’ causing the price to jump by increments of R500 or R1,000.
Jakkie continues his passionate descriptions as he goes through each ram, encouraging the potential buyers to take a closer look. He points out the ram’s head and back, highlighting how it moves. He even shares the remarkable information that the ram’s mother successfully gave birth to eight lambs from only five pregnancies.
Once Jakkie has finished his fervent presentation, he asks if anyone has any final bids. When no one else responds, he brings the hammer down, finalizing the price at R27,000. He warmly congratulates the successful buyers and notes that the excellent ram is now destined for Cradock.
I stood next to Auctioneer Jakkie Nel, observing as he asked the final question to the crowd, “Are you through and are you done? No more bids?” The excitement in the room was palpable as people eagerly awaited the answer.
Once the auction had ended, I spoke to Graham and Jan Peet, who were beaming with satisfaction. They were more than happy with the prices their livestock had fetched. It was clear that their fellow farmers had shown faith in their animals and believed in the future of Karoo sheep-farming.
With the rams all loaded up and ready for their new homes, I couldn’t help but imagine the adventures that lay ahead for them. A herd of eager ewes awaited their arrival, ready to continue the bloodlines and ensure the next generation of strong, healthy sheep.
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