Farmer's Weekly SA

Prime Blueberry Irrigation Farms in the Breede River Valley
2026-06-24 07:00 - 12:00 (Africa/Johannesburg) | THE OFFICES OF VAN’S , 36 GEMSBOK STREET, KOEDOESPOORT INDUSTRIAL, PRETORIA
In the heart of the Western Cape’s agricultural region, three exceptional blueberry farms with well-established infrastructure, water rights, and prime locations near the Breede River are on offer via public tender as part of the business rescue proceedings for Ross Berries and Tierkloof Bessies.
Lot 1 consists of Portions 7, 8, and 15 of Ross Berries’ commercial blueberry farm, De Breede Rivier 298, approximately 7km north-west of Worcester, with access off the R43. The more than 55ha property includes approximately 21ha of Atlas cultivar blueberries under drip and computerised irrigation, planted between 2022 and 2024.
The farm is fully equipped for commercial production and includes modern berry sheds, cold storage, irrigation infrastructure, fertiliser tanks, pumps, filter banks, and a computer system. There are also 4m x 4m, 4m x 7m, and 4m x 11m cool rooms, as well as two blast coolers.
Worker housing, together with a four-bedroom and a five-bedroom house, forms part of the existing improvements.
Water availability is a strong point, with 264 545m³ allocated for extraction and 190 000m³ for storage within the Breede-Gouritz catchment and the Olifantsberg Irrigation Board. The farm also has equipped boreholes, earth dams, and supplementary storage facilities. Movable assets are included.
Large-scale potential
Lot 2 comprises the 272ha Portion 1 of Tierkloof Bessies’ farm Nuutbegin 595, 21km north-west of Worcester, straddling both sides of the Breede River. It includes approximately 35ha permanently planted to the Legacy blueberry cultivar under drip irrigation and nets, with a budgeted yield of 550t/season, and around 200ha of vegetation and grazing.
The infrastructure includes a steel shed with office space, irrigation pumps, and packaging facilities, as well as open sheds for tools, workers’ quarters, and storage facilities. It also features a 6m x 8m cool room with scales, an 8m x 13m cool room with 13 fans, and a 13m x 9m holding area.
Water rights and storage capacity add to the property’s long-term production value, with 362 700m³ allocated for extraction and 141 120m³ for storage within the Breede-Gouritz catchment.
Development opportunity with existing infrastructure
Lot 3 consists of portions of the farm Onderplaas 292, close to the R43 and 8km north-west of Worcester. The 31ha property offers a combination of established infrastructure and future development potential.
Improvements include various sheds, workers’ housing, as well as a house and garage. Water is supplied from the Breede-Gouritz catchment and the Olifantsberg Irrigation Board, with existing dams, boreholes, and established storage facilities.
Opportunity in a world-class production region
The Breede River Valley is one of South Africa’s most sought-after agricultural regions, particularly for export-oriented berry production.
These three lots offer a combination of established production, modern infrastructure, water security, and strategic location in an internationally recognised blueberry-producing area.
The farms are on offer via public tender, and offers must be submitted before 12pm on Wednesday, 24 June 2026. Viewing is by appointment only.
For more information and tender documentation, phone Van’s Auctioneers on 086 111 8267, or visit vansauctions.co.za.

Top quality wildlife and genetics on offer at Kirkwood Wildsfees Game Auction
2026-06-26 12:00 - 17:00
The highly anticipated Kirkwood Wildsfees Game Auction is set to return on Friday, 26 June 2026, offering game breeders, wildlife investors and conservation enthusiasts another exceptional opportunity to acquire top-quality wildlife and genetics.
Hosted at the renowned Mayogi Bomas along the R75 between Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) and Graaff-Reinet in the Eastern Cape, the auction has earned a reputation as one of South Africa’s premier wildlife trading events.
Buyers can expect a diverse selection of quality game from leading breeders across the region, showcasing genetics that contribute to the sustainable growth of the wildlife and game-breeding industry.
The auction will commence at 12:00.
Event Details

Venue: Mayogi Bomas, R75 PE–Graaff-Reinet Road, Eastern Cape
Date: Friday, 26 June 2026
Time: 12:00

For more information, contact Garth Saville on 082 883 2503 or email auction@wildsfees.co.za. View the auction catalogue: https://auctions.swiftvee.com/

Proven South Devon genetics on offer at Winston annual auction
2026-08-25 12:00 - 17:00
Winston South Devon Stud invites you to its 24th Annual Production Sale, taking place on 25 August on Winston Farm in Cathcart, Eastern Cape.
Winston South Devon Stud’s cattle reflect careful selection and consistent performance, with a focus on fertility, growth, and strong maternal traits. The stud aims to produce bulls that make a lasting impact on herds across South Africa.
What the South Devon breed brings to South Africa

Top fertility and milk

The South Devon is renowned for its superior fertility. Across the national herd, the average intercalving period (ICP) is around 380 days, but the South Devon has consistently posted some of the best ICP figures in the country, driven by stringent fertility selection over a long period.
Paired with notable production of quality milk, Winston South Devon Stud’s cattle support robust calves and feed efficiency, while maintaining easy management traits.

Calm temperament and ease of handling

A quiet, calm temperament makes South Devons easy to handle, reducing stress for both stockmen and cattle. This translates into time saved in routine management and smoother handling during loading, transport, and treatments.

Growth, feed conversion, and market-ready performance

South Devon calves demonstrate strong growth and favourable feed conversion, producing premium weaners. The stud’s animals consistently perform well in feedlots and fetch premium prices at weaner auctions, reflecting their desirable carcass and mass characteristics – traits aligned with current demand for heavier A-grade carcasses.

Versatility and adaptability

South Devons thrive across varied South African climates, from the hot summers of the Northern Cape to the cold winters of the Eastern Cape and Free State. This adaptability makes them a reliable choice for diverse commercial enterprises across the country.

Maternal lines and crossbreeding strength

The South Devon is a trusted maternal cross, foundational to many successful composite herds around the world. The breed’s genetics deliver proven maternal strength, fertility, and reliable performance in crossbreeding programmes.
How South Devon Compares with other beef breeds
Performance records show that South Devon cattle rank among South Africa’s leading beef breeds in several economically important traits:

ICP efficiency and economic impact: the national South Devon herd now has an average ICP of 376 days, compared with a beef cow average of around 410 days. This 34-day advantage translates into a significant economic benefit, at roughly R1 360 more per cow per year (at R40/kg, based on 1kg of daily growth).

The South Devon’s comparatively shorter ICP places it at the top of South Africa’s beef breeds for reproductive efficiency.

Scrotal circumference and emphasis on fertility: the breed’s average scrotal circumference has increased from 338mm in 1990 to 370mm in 2022. This 32mm gain over three decades reflects a sustained focus on fertility through selection.

When tested in local Phase C and D programmes, South Devon calves consistently show higher scrotal measurements than their peers, underscoring superior fertility potential.

Weaning weight and overall production: South Devons now average about 220kg at weaning, placing them in the top 20% of local beef breeds for weaning weight. This performance underpins strong early growth and contributes to a healthier, heavier calf crop year after year.

Balancing performance, conformation, and genomics
Genomics, data, and future programme performance in the South Devon industry rest on accurate record-keeping, performance testing, and a balanced selection framework. Winston South Devon Stud’s ‘past, present, and future’ approach guides selection as follows:

Past: pedigree and performance records (ICP, weaning index, and cow-calf wean ratio)
Present: visuals and conformation
Future: expected progeny performance via estimated breeding values, offering a clearer breeding forecast.

The integration of genomics adds a valuable tool for refining selection and predicting outcomes with greater confidence, aligning with a modern, data-driven breeding programme.
What to expect at the auction
The sale offerings include:

Eight to 10 three-year-old bulls
Twenty-five to 30 two-year-old bulls

Winston South Devon Stud’s three-year-old bulls are retained and used at 26 months, allowing the stud to use the best possible bulls before marketing them the following year.
Every year, Ellington Farm Livestock contributes between 10 and 20 commercial in-calf South Devon heifers to the auction, showcasing the breed’s suitability for commercial operations and serving as a live demonstration of fertility and production performance.
A large proportion of Winston South Devon Stud’s bulls have historically found homes in the Cathcart area and are increasingly making an impact in the Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Northern Cape, underscoring the breed’s versatility and broad appeal.
Join us on 25 August for a professional, well-run sale that offers robust South Devon genetics designed to improve fertility, growth, and profitability in your herd.
For more details, catalogues, and pre-sale inspections, phone Winston South Devons on 045 843 1736, or email John Miller on john@winstonfarms.co.za, or James Miller on james@winstonfarms.co.za.
Invest in cattle that perform across South Africa’s diverse landscapes, and watch your herd’s performance rise with the proven South Devon advantage.
