GRAAFF-REINET — The second annual Summit Wildlife Auction was held on Saturday, September 30, in Graaff-Reinet and was well supported with 224 buyers registering.
The auction was preceded by a Friday evening Karoo braai, where wildlife participants were able to network and to enjoy each other’s company.
The Summit Auction has become a destination event, with many buyers spending the weekend in Graaff-Reinet, both to take in what the town has to offer and for family members to participate in the Karoo-lus Festival.
An indication of the status that Summit is fast achieving was the eleven aircraft that landed in Graaff Reinet as buyers came from as far afield as the United States and England.
Some exceptional animals achieved excellent prices.
A sable bull from Valley Venture Stud sold for R1 million, and a Springbuck ram from Jules of the Karoo for R460 000. The drought and the continuing rebalancing within the game industry meant that many of the other prices were under pressure compared to a year ago.
However, there was strong buyer participation at the lower price levels as bargain hunters snapped up genetically superior animals for inclusion in their herds. There was an excellent clearance, with 87% of lots sold.
The consensus was that it was a well-run auction achieving good results in tough conditions.
Chairman Neil Dodds highlighted the role of Summit in giving back to the community.
The Whitlock’s Care Centre in Jansenville and the Klipplaat Remedial Reading Project will both be recipients of the generous proceeds of charity lots sold. Dodds said that the Summit Group plan to grow the auction into a premier event on the South African wildlife calendar.
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