Frontier Bonsmaras: Agricultural Services & Supplies in , Eastern Cape

Dear Fellow Breeders

Frontier Bonsmaras will hold their 6th production sale on the Wednesday the 17th of August at the Grahamstown auction yard commencing at 12.00 hrs. We will offer 55 selected bulls (including herd sires), 13 “golden oldies” (including 3 in 1’s) and 160 commercial females. All animals are from Heart water, Gallsickness and Redwater areas. Hobson and Co will officiate with Brandon Leer as auctioneer.

 

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Our fifth production sale held on the 18/08/ 2010 was a tremendous success. Economic hardship and the effects of the devastating drought affecting our area were put aside for a day. All cattle offered were sold. Bulls averaged R24000 and cows and heifers averaged R6900.

 

The top priced stud bull belonging to Mark Lake was sold to Disco Bonsmaras for R58000. Roger and Greg Clayton paid the top price of R36000 for a commercial bull bred by Justin Stirk. John and Debbie Ford sold the top priced group of heifers to Jonathan Knott for R8400.

 

Over 80 buyers registered for the sale. We would like to thank all buyers, under bidders and supporters alike for all the support on the day of sale. Your continued support of the Frontier sale is invaluable and we thank you all.

 

A big thank you to all our sponsors who contribute so generously to the sale. Thank you also for the support and advice during the year.

 

Our next sale will be held on the 17 August 2011. Let’s hope that we enjoy a year of plentiful rain and green grass. Our turn for a good season is certainly overdue

With the rising costs the order of the day, beef farmers may rightly be asking what they can afford to pay for the new bull.

Although the outlay may appear to be a lot, what does he cost you in terms of calves produced or weaner income and how much improvement in your herd would justify his purchase price?

The table below illustrates these costs at different prices assuming you sell your old bull at slaughter value and finance the new one at 15% interest over 5 years after which he is paid for and can be traded for the latest model.

 

PRICE OF NEW BULL 15000 25000 30000 35000 SLAG OLD BULL 8000 8000 8000 8000 NETT BULL COST 7000 17000 22000 27000 ANNUAL PAYMENTS OVER 5 YRS AT 12 % 1941.80 4715.80 6102.80 7489.80 NO OF CALVES PER YEAR FROM BULL 24 24 24 24 BULL COST PER CALF PER YEAR 80.91 196.49 254.28 312.08 WEANER PRICE RANDS/KG NETT 18.00 18.00 18.00 18.00 KILOGRAMS OF WEANER TO PAY FOR BULL 4.49 10.92 14.13 17.34 ASSUMED WEANER WEIGHT 230.00 230.00 230.00 230.00 % IMPROVEMENT NEEDED TO PAY FOR BULL 1.95 4.75 6.14 7.54 INCOME FROM WEANERS 99360.00 99360.00 99360.00 99360.00 % OF WEANER INCOME TO PAY ANNUAL BULL COST 1.95 4.75 6.14 7.54 NO OF WEANERS TO PAY ANNUAL BULL COST 0.70 1.71 2.21 2.71 NO OF WEANERS TO PAY TOTAL NETT BULL COST 2.54 6.16 7.97 9.78

The figures show that bull costs are a small percentage of annual weaner income and even a small improvement in your weaners will justify the cost of the latest genetics.  Add the long term benefit of improving your cow herd in terms of lower calving intervals, less skips and better adaptability and the question may well be asked:-

 

WHAT DOES IT COST YOU NOT TO KEEP IMPROVING YOUR GENETICS?

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1) Off load your new bull in a secure camp with food and water and one or two cows to keep him happy and calm him down.

2) Keep him away from other bulls until he is settled. When this is done try and put him with an older bull. He is then unlikely to fight.

3) Although your bull comes from a tick infested area he can still get sick. This might be caused by the stress of a new area or the stress of transport. Try and see your new bull everyday for at least the first month.

4) During the Mating season

These are young bulls and will cut their teeth at 2-2.5 years old. This is while they are with the cows. A bull will lose weight during this time. If a bull loses too much weight he will become weak and will not be able to serve your cows. Try to give your bull a maximum of 25 cows in his first year. This applies to 2 year old bulls. Younger bulls should be given one cow per month of age.

5) After mating season

When the bulls come out the cows make sure you give them the best treatment that you can. These bulls are still growing and need to reach their full potential. Lots of good food will make sure he regains all the weight lost during the mating season. A well rested and fed bull will ensure a good libido for the next breeding season.

6) Before the next mating season.

Get a vet to fertility test your bull before the next season. At the same time have them tested for any venereal diseases. This is very important to do. An infertile bull will give you no calves. If you do not test it may take 9 months before you realize that there is a problem. By then you will have lost a whole seasons calves and your bank balance will be bad. Give your bull an energy supplement a month before he goes to the cows.

7) Always inoculate your bull according to your herd health program (Botulism, black quarter evil and anthrax are the main ones)

8) Remember that your bull is half your herd. No bull = no calves = no profit. Furthermore, every calf born is genetically 50% of your bull. It is thus important to always buy the best performance tested bull that you can afford.

 

Look after your bull and he will look after you!