Boran bull sold for record price of R8 million at Hurwitz Farming Auction

By Sindira Chetty | 3 August 2024 | 8:07 pm

The Boran bull Cyclone BH 18 749 was sold for a record-breaking price of R8 million at the Hurwitz Farming 10th Production Auction, held at the Bull Ring in Davel, Mpumalanga, on Saturday.

Boran bull BH 18 749 Cyclone was sold for R8 million. Photo: Sindira Chetty

This exceptional bull was purchased by Collen Tafireyi of Sinyo Boran Stud in Zimbabwe. Tafireyi was ecstatic about the purchase, stating that he will use the bull to build a strong Boran stud in Zimbabwe.

“We are excited to have acquired this top bull. Cyclone is going to play a major role in our future plans in terms of breeding quality. Our plan is to breed the best of Borans in Zimbabwe. We want to put Zimbabwe on the map,” said Tafireyi.

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Cyclone was bred and sold by brothers Simeon and Jarren Hurwitz of Hurwitz Farming.

From left, Simeon Hurwitz, Collen Tafireyi of Sinyo Boran Stud and Jarren Hurwitz of Hurwitz Farming.

Simeon said the highlight of the auction was achieving a national breed record with Cyclone.

“Phenotypically, he is just superb. He is an unbelievable animal, close to faultless. On the genetics side, Cyclone was sired by Picasso, one of the most famous bulls in South Africa (In 2022, Picasso was tragically struck by lightning). All of Picasso’s progeny have done exceptionally well. To acquire something from Picasso shows the true merit of what Picasso was,” said Simeon.

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He further discussed the bull’s lineage, noting that Cyclone’s mother, Cremora, contributed to producing three exceptional herd sires.

“The flushing that we did using Picasso’s semen d three superstars. To have three phenomenal herd sires representing Hurwitz Farming in three African countries (Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa), is true credit to what we are trying to establish here at Hurwitz Farming, certainly within our Boran breed,” he added.