CATTLE AUCTION PROCEDURES - BUYER VERSION

I had gone to an Agra auction last week…  This was my first time at an auction.  Previously, I would send someone to the auction to purchase livestock for me or I would simply make arrangements to purchase on someone’s farm (at their own set price).  The auction procedures are quite simple and straight forward.  It is all about being the highest bidder and obviously knowing what you are looking for.

Points to remember:

• The cattle that are being auctioned are organised in various kraals/lots based on their weight, body condition and ownership (at times).  Cattle with more or less the same weight, regardless of age, go in one kraal.  Each kraal has a kraal number or a lot number. 

• When you are purchasing cattle, you purchase per kraal. The kraals contain different numbers of cattle.  Some kraals contain just one cow/cow & calf/bull etc.  Other kraals have up to 15 cattle or so.

•  Before the auction starts, you must present yourself at the auction office as a ‘buyer’.  You will then be given a number linked to your name.  Every time you are the highest bidder, the auctioneer will ask you for this number.  

• Before the auction starts, have a look at the cattle and pick a kraal(s) you are interested in purchasing.  You will be bidding for these.

• I think a single in a kraal is really expensive.  A lot of bidders are interested.

Obviously, you have a budget in mind.  You know how much you are willing to spend on a number of cattle that you would like to purchase.  The cattle are sent in the auctioning pen, kraal by kraal. A starting price is set by the auctioneer.  The price will go up, and the buyers will bit.  Until the last and highest bidder comes forth. 

Here is a scenario.  A kraal comes into the auction pens.  This kraal contains 10 heifers.  You (the buyer) only have N$40 000.00 budgeted for this lot.  Your limit per head of heifer (in this specific lot) is N$40 000.00/10 heifers = N$4000.00/heifer.  The starting price of these heifers is N$3000.00.  The auctioneer will increase the prices gradually.  Buyers will keep bidding.  If you are the last bidder with N$4000.00 per head or less, you take the lot home.  Simple!...  Just know your budget, know your limit.  Know the worth of the lot.  And do not exceed it.

Soon after the auction, the payment must be made by bank transfer, cash or cheque.  You can organize your own transport.  In fact, there are a lot of transport trucks at the auction. All you need to do is make your pick and make arrangements.

  Cattle from one kraal/lot from our view point.

  Transportation truck.Charges are per head of cow or per kilometer.

  Heifers in an enclosed camp for monitoring

Upon arrival of the cattle, branding must take place.  There is new ownership, thus the new owner's brand number must be used. Below is where one must brand the cattle:

1st owner brand on left hind leg
2nd owner brand on left shoulder
3rd owner brand on left neck
4th owner brand on right hind leg
5th owner brand on right shoulder
6th owner brand on right neck

There is staff from veterinary service/office.  The cattle movement permit is issued.  This permit must be given to the truck driver. He/she shall keep it until destination is reached.  Upon arrival the permit must be given to the owner of the cattle.  This person must than return the permit to the veterinary offices before the expiry date indicated on document.

I inject the cattle with a multi-vitamin injection.  Than I place the cattle in an enclosed camp with lick. water and grazing.  This allows the animals to get used to their new environment.

Hope you make your way to the auction soon...

XoXo

CATTLE DISEASES: PNEUMONIA

A few weeks ago our bull was sick.  I could tell that he was in a lot of pain and discomfort. He was breathing very shallow and making a loud noise with every breath.  He was also weak and could not walk.  Prior to that, a few days before, he was bleeding from his nose.  We actually thought that he had fought with other bulls and didn’t pay much attention, until the rest of the symptoms appeared.  But thanks to the VET, we managed to give him medication.  These were effective. Had a big scare, this would have been a huge lose.

 Recovery feels good...

VET diagnosis! Pneumonia…

Pneumonia is a lung disease that affects cattle, mostly in the eastern and northern parts of the country.  These affects are throughout the year, when several primary and secondary organisms work together to cause damage to the lungs.  It is also known as ‘lung disease’.

There are several factors that cause pneumonia.  But the critical issue is when the animal is not able to fight off the disease.  Factors that affect the ability of an animal to fight the disease are:

Stress

Stress reduces the animal’s ability to fight the disease by reducing the production of white blood cells.  The white blood cells aid in fighting infections and diseases.  OKB-12-677 was under stress truthfully speaking.  The animal was confined in an enclosed camp together with other bulls were he was being prepared for the market.  He would jump fences constantly, to attempt to get to the cows so he can mate. Raging testosterone levels.

Dust and cold

The colds and dust suppress the activity of the mucous membranes that help keep harmful organisms out of the mucus tract. This could be a cause.  Winter was approaching and it was getting cold.  And in addition, OKB-12-677 was on a supplementary lick programme to try and get him ready for the market.  According to VET, might be that the licks accumulated dust.  Storage of supplementary feeds is very important.  It is also believed that the great differences between day time temperatures and night time temperatures contributes to weakening the animals potential to fight pneumonia.

Nutritional shortages

Shortages of protein especially can have an effect in suppressing animal’s immune system.

Symptoms of pneumonia are,

Coughing

Bleeding from nose

When autopsy conducted, accumulation of fluid in chest cavity occurs.

If you have any suspicions, contact your nearest VET.

Xoxo