Buckridge Bonsmaras production auction will take place online – top-quality genetics on offer

The South African cattle industry currently finds itself in a difficult position, with foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) resulting in uncertainty and additional pressure on farmers. However, there are several reasons to remain optimistic. Prices for slaughter and weaner calves are currently very favourable, which results in a solid foundation for the industry.

This confirms that good genetics, goal-oriented selection, and sustainable farming practices are still being rewarded, even in uncertain times.

Auction adapts to challenging conditions

Due to the current FMD situation, Buckridge Bonsmaras’ auction will no longer be held physically at the premises as originally planned. However, the auction will continue in an adapted format, namely online and at a designated venue where the auction procedures will take place as normal, but without any animals on the property. On 24 February 2026 at 11:00, in collaboration with André Kock & Son, the auction function will be offered at the Klondike Lodge near Vryburg in North West. Theuns Visser, auctioneer, will handle the proceedings on the day. Strong biosecurity measures will be implemented to ensure peace of mind for all involved.

The auction will also be offered online on the SwiftVee platform, which offers buyers the opportunity to participate in the proceedings from anywhere.

Buyers can still look forward to a top-quality offering, supported by comprehensive photo and video material to ensure confidence and transparency. Frans Seevinck, owner of Buckridge Bonsmaras, and Nico Pieterse from Syferfontein Bonsmaras, will be present to advise buyers expertly about purchases and selection. Preplanned farm visits can be organised and will adhere to strong biosecurity protocols.

The Buckridge team remains positive and relies on their experience to successfully adjust to these challenging conditions – something that had already been proven during Covid-19.

Exceptional quality and auction offering

Frans says: “The auction guarantees an exceptional offering with genetics that have been carefully built up and proven over the years.” After the cancellation of the annual National Bonsmara auction, also due to FMD, female animals that had been prepared for the national auction will also be available at this auction, which further strengthens the offering.

Buckridge offers buyers a practical solution: animals that are purchased at the auction can be accommodated on the farm for a reasonable time until they can safely be moved to them. This offers peace of mind and flexibility in a challenging time. The focus is not only on exceptional bulls; high-quality female animals remain a core aspect of the auction, animals that add value today and help build excellent herds of the future.

These are some of the exceptional bull offerings at the auction:

Lot 4: SFM 23-13

SFM 23-13 hails from the SYF Molopo embryo programme. An early-maturing bull with excellent balance, width, depth and capacity, a strong midsection and notable rib spring. He has well-balanced selection values – approximately 100 with an excellent growth value of 120. His mother was an exceptional “golden oldie” cow from the Syferfontein herd. His sire is SYF 17-256, a well-known bull that has already performed well in various herds, among others, Buckridge.

Lot 9: SFM 23-12

SFM 23-12 is SFM 23-13’s full brother from our embryo programme. He is a bull with remarkable capacity, depth and balance – as well as well-balanced selection values.

Lot 1: BF 23-201

BF 23-201 is a dark red bull with good balance, a strong topline, and proper tailhead attachment. He is a functionally correct bull with a good sheath and testicles. This myostatin-normal bull has a calving ease of 121, making him highly suitable for mating with heifers. His sire is the proven bull SYF 17-256, and his mother is BF 14-416, an exceptionally fertile cow with an average calving interval of 370 days over eight calves.

BF 23-17

BF 23-17 is one of the most beautiful SYF 17-257 sons that we’ve ever bred from the Buckridge herd. He is an early-maturing bull with excellent balance, depth and capacity. His mother, BF 20-196, is a daughter of V 15-338, bred by Hannes van den Berg. V 15-338 also made a big impact on the Buckridge herd.

**The four bulls mentioned above are all sons of SYF 17-256. SFM 23-13 and SFM 23-12 17 are full brothers, hailing from the Molopo embryo programme.