GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - The 13th Production Sale of the Normandy Dohne Merino Stud took place at Grassdale, situated between Graaff-Reinet and Murraysburg, on Tuesday, 5 February, during what has been referred to as the severest drought in the Karoo in 100 years.

All of the 50 rams offered sold to an average of R8 750. In spite of this price being down on the 2018 sale, it can be considered highly successful in the circumstances.

The top price of R29 000 went to Miles and Son of Dordrecht, as did the second and third highest respectively at R25 000 and R21 500.

All three of these rams had Super Elite to Elite carcasses on the Falkirk Index System, combined with an excellent amount of quality wool.

The fourth highest price went to Stern Family Trust of Graaff-Reinet at R15 500. The fifth highest went to Tafelberg Boerbokke of Middelburg at R13 000, and another to Mitchel Holmes Trust of Cradock at R13 000 as well.

The largest volume buyer was Stern Family Trust with four rams, all ranking Elite A on the Falkirk Index.

All 70 mature ewes sold to Mitchel Holmes Trust, Cradock at R1 950, and all 60 100-day-old ewe lambs of guest seller Stern Family Trust sold to RC Orban of Addo at R1 500. The Sterns have been breeding out of the Normandy Stud for many years.

Apart from Karoo buyers, there were buyers from as far afield as Addo, Grahamstown, Moreesburg, Port Elizabeth, Springfontein and Stutterheim.

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