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‘Our stock is being bought at very low prices’: Buyer’s market a loss for farmers

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A livestock auction yard in Buhrmansdrif near Mahikeng, North West, and, (right) bakkies pulling trailers loaded with cows, pigs, goats and sheep queue up to enter the yard. Picture: Tebogo Letsie
A livestock auction yard in Buhrmansdrif near Mahikeng, North West, and, (right) bakkies pulling trailers loaded with cows, pigs, goats and sheep queue up to enter the yard. Picture: Tebogo Letsie

The rhythmic auction chant echoed through the small arena-like stands under a corrugated-iron roof. It might have sounded like double Dutch to those not familiar with it, making sense only when the auctioneer announced the bidding prices.

Gibberish it might be to some ears but the auction cry – as the chant is sometimes referred to – determines the business of the day. It could make sellers’ hearts palpitate – some even confessed to saying silent prayers for the bid to keep shooting up. For the buyers, though, no one wanted to be outbid on any stock.

Auction in action

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