15 Sep 2019

Farmers have been encouraged to procure improved small-stock at Lobu Small stock Farm during an auction sale scheduled for September 27.

In an interview with BOPA, Lobu Small stock Farm assistant manager Mr Phibion Mannathoko said the auction sale would entail a total of 166 small stock which he said farmers could use to develop their flock.

He said the auction was the second one since the resuscitation of Lobu. 

“This year the quality is much better compared to 2018. Lobu is established to provide the best small stock breeds which farmers can use to develop their breeds,” he said.

Mr Mannathoko highlighted that the public auction was in line with the farm’s mandate of facilitating farmers through training and providing breeds to improve quality. 

He added that the farm also supported government programmes and policies such as poverty eradication, LIMID and ISPAAD.

This year, the auction includes 14 Boer goat stud culls which will be sold at a reserve price of P1 000 each, nine Dorper culls stud will be sold at a reserve price of P600, four white swakara/karakul rams are at a reserve price of P600. 

The sale also includes 11 Dorper rams flock which will be auctioned at a reserve price of P1000, 18 Swakara Culls at a reserve price of P400, 23 Savanna culls at P600 reserve proce, while 15 Swakara castrates, 13 Savanna Castrates, five Saanen bucks sell at a reserve price of P600. A Saanen castrate is to be sold at reserve price of P300 while the reserve price for Savanna castrates and Boer goat has bee set at P500.

The reserve prices, he said, were determined after assessing the flock quality and the market price.

Lobu Small stock farm is a government farm owned by the Department of Animal Production in the Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food Security which is situated South West of Tsabong in the Kgalagadi District. 

It breeds small stock and offers extension services to the farming community in the Kgalagadi district and beyond. ENDS