The November 2015 Grahamstown monthly Stockfair will long be remembered for the number of stock sold, record turnover and a little added drama!
After months of patiently warning farmers not to sell unbranded cattle and untattooed small stock the local stock theft unit set up a road block at the entrance to the stockfair pens and refused to allow unmarked livestock to be sold. Guilty farmers were fined and the stock was sent home. The stock theft unit is making an urgent plea to farmers to adhere to the regulations as it is almost impossible to get a conviction for stock theft cases if animals are not marked correctly and have warned that there will be more stringent policing in future. Farmers should take care to fill in their removal certificates correctly. All auctioneers and transporters have also been warned not to sell or load unbranded or untattooed stock.
Despite approximately 100 cattle being turned away 107 sellers sold 652 cattle and 735 small stock on an auction which commenced at 10-00 am and finished at 7-00 pm! Paul Mills, Hobson& Co’s legendary auctioneer proved why he is recognized as one of the best in the business by keeping the interest on all lots going until the very last stock was sold. A turnover of over R4 million was realized on the day which is a record for this sale which was nearly scrapped from the auction calendar 10 years ago due to lack of interest.
The Grahamstown stock sale is a wonderful success story where cooperation between the local farming community and Hobson & Co has resulted in much needed funds being raised for local agriculture. An interesting fact is that more and more community and emerging farmers, whose stock has improved dramatically over the last few years, are using this outlet to market their livestock.
| Type of Stock | No of Stock | Average Price | Average Price/kg |
| Rams (Slaughter) | 121 | R891.74 | R15.44/kg |
| Rams (Breeding) | 8 | R3150.00 | R3150.00 |
| Lambs (A2+) | 206 | R1025.68 | R24.62/kg |
| Ram Lambs | 11 | R929.29 | R22.41/kg |
| Lambs AB Grade | 10 | R1138.86 | R19.62/kg |
| Lambs B Grade | 1 | R1180.00 | R15.53/kg |
| Mutton (C1/Trade) | 153 | R1090.33 | R22.27/kg |
| Mutton (C2+) | 165 | R1144.36 | R19.60/kg |
| Boergoat Kapaters <35kg | 3 | R1273.33 | R39.98/kg |
| Boergoat Kapaters >35kg | 14 | R1347.14 | R37.35/kg |
| Maiden Boergoat Ewes | 5 | R1060.00 | R50.96/kg |
| Boergoat Ewes | 33 | R1337.58 | R23.73/kg |
| Boergoat Rams | 3 | R1083.33 | R15.05/kg |
| Angora Rams | 1 | R940.00 | R18.43/kg |
| A Grades (A2+) | 1 | R6000.00 | R17.65/kg |
| AB Grades (Thin) | 2 | R4100.00 | R12.31/kg |
| AB Grades (AB2+) | 2 | R6500.00 | R15.66/kg |
| B Grades (B2+) | 4 | R5450.00 | R15.68/kg |
| Bulls (Slaughter) | 29 | R8884.48 | R16.24/kg |
| Cows (Very Thin/C0) | 2 | R4500.00 | R12.67/kg |
| Cows (Store/C1) | 117 | R5433.33 | R13.41/kg |
| Cows (C2+) | 63 | R7359.39 | R15.75/kg |
| Cows & Calves | 12 | R6625.00 | R6625.00 |
| Pregnant Cows | 1 | R5200.00 | R17.93/kg |
| Trade Oxen | 44 | R5782.95 | R16.17/kg |
| Slaughter Oxen | 30 | R6608.33 | R15.83/kg |
| Jersey Calves | 1 | R4900.00 | R16.09/kg |
| Heifers <180kg | 7 | R3264.29 | R19.27/kg |
| Heifers 181-210kg | 15 | R3766.67 | R19.12/kg |
| Heifers 211-250kg | 25 | R3378.00 | R14.44/kg |
| Heifers 251-280kg | 25 | R4120.00 | R15.40/kg |
| Heifers 281-320kg | 12 | R4033.33 | R13.88/kg |
| Heifers 321kg+ | 3 | R4583.33 | R14.16/kg |
| Nguni Heifers <180kg | 10 | R3930.00 | R23.70/kg |
| Nguni Heifers 211-250kg | 1 | R4800.00 | R19.20/kg |
| Nguni Heifers 251-280kg | 2 | R4700.00 | R17.74/kg |
| Nguni Heifers 281-320kg | 1 | R4600.00 | R15.08/kg |
| Nguni Tollies <180kg | 23 | R1978.29 | R12.07/kg |
| Nguni Tollies 181-210kg | 22 | R2690.61 | R13.01/kg |
| Nguni Tollies 211-250kg | 2 | R3500.00 | R14.43/kg |
| Nguni Tollies 251-280kg | 12 | R3325.00 | R12.73/kg |
| Nguni Tollies 281-320kg | 24 | R3839.59 | R12.39/kg |
| Nguni Tollies 321kg+ | 6 | R4400.00 | R13.13/kg |
| Tollies <180kg | 25 | R3154.00 | R18.24/kg |
| Tollesi 181-210kg | 36 | R4020.83 | R19.91/kg |
| Tollies 211-250kg | 49 | R4512.24 | R19.97/kg |
| Tollies 251-280kg | 26 | R4982.67 | R19.05/kg |
| Tollies 281-320kg | 6 | R5200.00 | R17.56/kg |
| Tollies 321kg+ | 4 | R5600.00 | R16.85/kg |