R6.4m Ankole Sale Sets New Benchmark for Female Cattle in South Africa
R6.4m Ankole Sale Sets New Benchmark for Female Cattle in South Africa. South Africa’s market for elite cattle genetics has recorded a new benchmark after Queen Arusha, an in-calf Ankole heifer, sold for R6.4 million at the Ntaba Nyoni & Friends auction in Limpopo.
The heifer, registered as NANK23 001, was sold as Lot 20 to an undisclosed buyer during the auction at Phala Phala on 3 October. Her price was the highest recorded for a female animal across cattle breeds in South Africa.
The result formed part of an auction that generated R22.5 million in turnover, with the sale attracting about 120 registrations and approximately 100 people attending in person. The average price was about R490,000 per lot.
Queen Arusha’s pedigree was a key feature of the offering. She is a full sister of Optimus Prime, an Ankole bull with 68-inch horns, while her bloodline includes Tshinakaho and Akira, with Kovu further back in the pedigree.
The auction also showed substantial demand for access to Ankole genetics without purchasing live animals. Two sexed semen straws from Optimus Prime each sold for R250,000. A further 37 semen straws generated R1.235 million, while 19 embryos brought in R1.445 million.
Other cattle also achieved significant prices. Ten bulls sold for R2.75 million collectively, with an average of R275,000 and a top price of R650,000. Eight heifers averaged R482,500, while the highest reached R900,000.
Four pregnant cows averaged R432,500. Two cows with calves sold for R550,000 each, while two three-in-one lots averaged R425,000. Four recipient animals also averaged R425,000.
Queen Arusha’s sale exceeds previous notable Ankole prices in South Africa, including Fafa’s R2.1 million sale in 2022 and Khethiwe’s R1.8 million result in 2024.
The latest record highlights the prices being placed on elite Ankole breeding animals and their genetics in the South African market.
