Our System

Background: The first field bull test began on 1 July 1998 when 51 bulls from 17 North-West Bonsmara club members were tested. From this, a core group of breeders founded Proveld. Currently, Proveld consists of 4 members who jointly test around 80 bulls under phase D on the field.

Test procedure: Summer calves – intake takes place in mid-September.

• Adjustments period: starting in mid-September, depending on the rainfall. Commercial lick is applied.
• Test period: Beginning of October to the end of March of the following year.
• A selection by 2 independent senior selectors, appointed by the Bonsmara Cattle Breeders Association, takes place in early April. The selection percentage is between 55% – 65%. The rejected bulls are slaughtered.
  Test period: Winter Calves – intake usually begins in January.
• Adjustments period: beginning of January until approximately January 31.
• Test period: Beginning of February to end of June (140 days).
• Selection by 2 senior selectors, appointed by the Bonsmara Cattle Breeders Association, takes place by mid-June. The selection percentage is between 55% – 65%. All rejected animals are slaughtered.

Approved bulls are kept on the field and prepared for the auction on the field with a commercial finishing lick.

Proveld auctions: All animals offered as stud animals are conducted under the auspices of the Bonsmara Cattle Breeders Association.

Two Proveld auctions are offered annually. The first auction is held on the second Wednesday in February at the Vryburg Showground. Second auction on the second Wednesday in June also at the Vryburg Showground.

The bulls are once again selected before the auction by two independent senior selectors to ensure a high standard. Bulls are tested for fertility, sheath waxed and certified TB and BM free. The herd of females offered at the auction are, like the bulls, selected by 2 selectors. The commercial females of the members and guest sellers are pre-screened by Proveld members on the respective farms. In this way, a high standard is maintained.