A combination of championship status, strong genetics and exceptional physical qualities saw a bull selling for N$800 000 at the Okabra Signature Sale in Windhoek on Tuesday.
The Brahman bull was crowned junior champion bull last year, further boosting its market value.
It was purchased by Shamrock Investments’ Collin Venaani.
The bull is part of the 38 cattle that were lined up for auction at the sale, with only three failing to sell.
All the cattle were from the Schneider family.
Sonia Schneider says their bulls usually sell for around N$250 000, making the
N$800 000 sale historic, unexpected and emotional for the family.
“We are very proud. We never planned for this, and we’re still shocked.
We don’t usually chase for those kinds of prices, but somehow it happened,” she says.
When contacted by The Namibian, Schneider was packing up to travel back to their farm,
Okamutombe, near Grootfontein in the Otjozondjupa region.
She describes the bull as an exceptional animal with a proven track record and impressive breeding values.
“He is structurally just incredible,” she says.
The second-highest price at the auction was N$350 000 while five of the first six bulls auctioned sold for over N$100 000.
In the previous bulls auction, they sold at between N$85 000 and N$115 000.
The Schneider family has been involved in cattle farming for about 40 years, having established the farm in 1986.
According to Schneider, the farming business has been passed down through generations, and each year they improve in their breeding.
The facilitator, Agra Auction executive manager Paul Klein, says the bull stood out because of its strong reputation, excellent growth figures and muscular confirmation, making it highly valuable to breeders.
“It’s confirmation is good, and it is also well muscled.
That is why people are putting a value to such a bull,” Klein says.
He notes that the animal’s breeding quality and genetic value were among the reasons behind the record-breaking price, which is the highest amount ever paid for a bull through Agra Auction.
“Other bulls were sold for between N$50 000 and N$350 000.
This is the highest price we have ever auctioned; it will stay in record,” he says.
Venaani could not be reached for comment at the time of going to print.
