The auction, held on 17 April at Die Eike in Rawsonville, Western Cape, attracted interest from breeders across the country and showcased top-quality Boer, Kalahari Red, and Savanna goats.
It was presented by Vleissentraal Port Elizabeth and Central Saleyard, with experienced Central Saleyard auctioneer Danie Strauss leading proceedings.
Epic, catalogued as Lot 88, was bred by Andrew and Ju-Mari Roberts, owners of the Maize Valley stud near Hoopstad in the Free State.
His sale not only set a new South African record for a Savanna goat but also marked the highest price ever achieved for small-stock at a local auction.
Speaking to Farmer’s Weekly, Roberts described the sale as a milestone for the stud and the industry at large.
He said it highlighted the growing importance of genetics and quality breeding, adding that “the price reflects the value of superior genetic material rather than just the animal’s meat production potential”.
Top breeders secure prized genetics
Epic was purchased by well-known Northern Cape breeders Koenie and Marina Kotzé of Niekershoop. Koenie, who farms between Douglas and Prieska, runs a diversified livestock operation that includes Bonsmara and Dexter cattle, as well as several small-stock studs, including Savanna and Boer goats, Dorper, White Dorper, Van Rooy, and Blackhead Persian sheep.
He is also known for breeding exotic Persian sheep and multi-horned varieties to preserve unique genetics.
He said he immediately recognised Epic’s potential when he first saw the ram, explaining that Epic comes from a strong genetic line, as he is the son of his ram Deon, whose sire was Nampo, another Kotzé-bred ram.
After seeing a photograph of Epic, he told Marina they had to secure the animal.
Breeding plans for epic
Koenie added that he wasted no time in ensuring Epic’s genetics would be preserved. He travelled to Philipstown in the Northern Cape shortly after the auction to collect semen from Epic and freeze it, ensuring continued use of the ram’s genetics in future breeding programmes.
He plans to use advanced breeding techniques, including artificial insemination and embryo flushing.
Kotzé said he also makes use of line breeding to accelerate genetic improvement, explaining that strong genetics can be multiplied more quickly when managed correctly.
Strong auction results across breeds
The auction achieved a 92% clearance rate and featured several other notable sales. A Boer goat ram fetched R300 000, while a Boer goat ewe sold for R200 000. The top Kalahari Red ram achieved R240 000, and the highest-priced Savanna ewe sold for R100 000.
Despite concerns around foot-and-mouth disease, the auction went ahead as a live event. Central Saleyard auctioneer Danie Strauss, a founding member of the Black-Tie Blue Blood auction, said the FMD crisis had nearly forced organisers to move the event online.
He explained that strict protocols were followed to ensure compliance: “All animals were quarantined on farms, tested for fertility and pregnancy, and accompanied by veterinary health certificates.
“Movement controls were also strictly adhered to, with cooperation from state veterinarians playing a key role in enabling the event to proceed.”
