Sussex Cattle News
Successful Promotion Day
A very successful Sussex Promotion and farmers day was hosted by Cobus van der Merwe on the Farm St. Blaze in the Gobabis district of Namibia on 17/09/09. Events were kicked of by Cobus giving a presentation on the St. Blaze Sussex Stud with emphasis on how well the Sussex breed perform under extensive farming conditions in the harsh Namibian climate.
This was followed by the President of the Sussex Breeders Acc. of South Africa, Mr. Geoff Orphen, giving a presentation titled "Why Sussex", focusing on the current status of the Sussex breed in the Southern African beef market and the future of the breed and the competitive advantage it offers in a modern, fast evolving and increasingly demanding consumer market.
Other speakers included Mr. Jaco Labuschagne of Feedmaster, Dr. Kobus Swart of SA Feedphosphate and Prof Willie Smit of Virbec who gave presentations on a rage of topics relevant to the commercial as well as stud farmer farming under extension conditions in Southern Africa.
The last speaker was Mr. Trevor Stötter, one of the most respected breeders, judges and selectors within the South African Sussex fraternity, giving a presentation on the breed standards of the Sussex breed and concluding with a practical demonstration on some of the St. Blaze Sussex cattle. The day ended on a high with the viewing of the Sussex crossbred cattle that was exhibited by some of the commercial farmers from the area. All these crossbred cattle were bred with Sussex bulls bought from the St. Blaze Sussex Stud.
The information day was well attended by local commercial farmers and afterwards all agreed that is was a huge success and that a lot was learned. Sussex breeders, Danie Botha and Werner Bader also attended and advertised their studs and all shared the view that this should be an annual event.
A steak braai followed and long into the night new friendships were formed and old friendships cemented in the Sussex breed.
St. Blaze 14th Annual Bull Sale
The 14th annual Farm St. Blaze Bull Sale was held on 18/09/09, the day after the Sussex Promotion Day. The offer consisted of 16 x Grey Brahman bulls and 15 x Sussex bulls. The sale was a big success with all 31 animals selling at an average price of N$30 000-00. The average price for the Brahman bulls was N$29 200-00 with a top price of N$43 000-00.
The Sussex Promotion Day held on the previous day seemed to have an almost immediate effect on the day of the sale. The Sussex bulls sold for an average price of N$31 000-00 with the top bull fetching a price of N$51 000-00. It was the first time in 14 years that the Sussex bulls outperformed the Brahman at the St. Blaze Sale.
Download the .pdf of these articles
