AGRA WEANER CHAMPIONS AWARDED
Published: 18 Oct 2013 

Agra and Telecom Namibia gave recognition to top weaner calf producers at an award ceremony in Windhoek on Thursday, 17 October. A Namibian national weaner champion and regional champions were announced in the categories of feedlot potential, veld potential and heifers. Telecom Namibia sponsored the event and the prizes with a total amount of N$80 000. 

Frans and Ellie Lottering were crowned as the National Weaner Champion for 2013. 
The regional winners were:

Danie Byleveld, Agra livestock coordinator for the southern region, presented the guests with some statistics regarding the weaner auctions and the competition:

• a total of 840 producers sold their weaners through Agra weaner auctions this year.
• a total of 14 900 weaners were sold, compared to 11 600 in 2012 and 14 500 in 2011.
• A total of 223 lots have been entered for the weaner competition compared to 173 last year.

This, and good quality weaners made judging a mammoth task, done by experts in the field. Optimal weaning weight, good growth potential under feedlot and free range conditions, and applied animal husbandry such as dehorning, brand marking and animal health earned producers good points. 

On the prices achieved Byleveld said: “prices fluctuated a lot through the season but it was proven again and again that good quality results in a good price.” He also stated the highest prices per kilogram achieved per region for tollies and heifers at the weaner auctions.

In the north the highest price achieved for tollies was N$16, 33 at the Otjiwarongo auction and heifers achieved a highest price of N$17, 06 at Grootfontein.

In the central region the highest price for tollies of N$16, 68, was paid at the Windhoek and the highest price for heifers was N$17, 06 at Rehoboth.

In the south, up to N$15, 67 was paid for tollies at Karasburg and this auction also achieved the highest price for heifers of N$17, 12.