GRAAFF-REINET — The inaugural Summit Wildlife Auction held in Graaff-Reinet on Saturday, October 1, was a resounding success with a turnover in excess of R15 million.
The auction hall was packed to overflowing with more than 700 people and there was an air of expectation as the 277 registered buyers battled it out for the high quality and varied offering of game.
Above average prices were achieved on all lots which came under the hammer of internationally renowned auctioneer Brandon Leer, fresh from selling a buffalo bull for a world record price of R168 million a few weeks previously.
There were many highlights of the auction including a new South African record price of R65 000 each for ten Cape Mountain Zebra sold by Dale Cunningham of Leopard Ridge Conservancy.
Other notable prices were for two Derdemag buffalo heifers pregnant to the famous bull Grootbaas sold by Johann Rupert and bought by Con Folkes, the owner Glen Harry Game Reserve, for a whopping R1.2 million each.
The absolutely outstanding springbuck offering was in huge demand with a 17 1/8 " Jules of the Karoo ram fetching R360 000, a Spreeufontein 17 4/8 " ram selling for R280 000, a group of three Chelmsford Wildlife Kalahari ewes for R58 000 each, a group of three Damara ewes belonging to Spreeufontein for R52 000 each, an eleven month old coffee ram for R400 000 and most other lots selling for R30 000 plus.
Mike Murray of Murray Ranches sold a young buffalo bull with a unique pedigree for a massive R975 000 and local game reserve Asante Sana sold giraffe for an outstanding price of R46 000 each.
Gemsbok were also in high demand as were hunting lots, and rare offerings of klipspringer and steenbok were also sold on the auction.
Summit group spokesman Neil Dodds commented that he was ecstatic with the outcome of the auction and was blown away by the support of the entire game farming community. The sale proved that the game industry was alive and well in the Eastern Cape and it is hoped that the Summit group could continue to make a worthwhile contribution in the future.
Paul Hobson of Hobson & Co Game Auctions said it was a privilege to be associated with such a dedicated group of farmers and was also delighted with the sale which ran like clockwork and went off without a hitch.
He also predicted that the Summit brand would most likely become very sought after in the future.
The comprehensive auction results are available on www.summitwildlife.co.za.
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