About Us
About
Arcadia Bonsmara
he modern-day Arcadia Bonsmara has its roots in the harsh and tick-infested Bushveld of North Western Transvaal. This was where Arthur Edward de Villiers started breeding stud cattle in 1937. Nowadays the Arcadia Bonsmara cow herd consist of approximately 1 000 Stud Proper AG breeding females. Another 200 JV-cows are managed and bred with AG bulls to produce Commercial bulls for local commercial breeders. All cows are mated in a multiple sire system with DNA sire identification. We also do AI on some cows and heifers in the beginning of the breeding season.
- Good genes
- Excellent pricing
- Clear breeding objectives
- Well documented history
Our History
The journey started in 1937 and AG Bonsmara has actively been improving an working towards a sustainable and valuable future for our clients and fellow farmers.
1937
Arthur Edward de Villiers started breeding with cattle in 1937 using Afrikaner bulls and rapidly progressed into stud breeding in the harsh and tick infested Bushveld of North Western Transvaal.
1958
In 1958 Arthur Greyling de Villiers joined his father and immediately introduced the Bonsmara and became a member of the official Performance Testing Scheme.
1985
In 1985 Arthur Muller de Villiers joined his father and introduced the computer and adopted a modern rotational breeding plan using three prominent family lines in the Arcadia Bonsmara herd.
1986
We have approximately 1 000 stud cows (plus 200 Joint Venture cows) and 200 commercial females. In 1986 AG and AM (father and son) moved to Vrede in the Free State to the more reliable rainfall and grazing area.
2000
In 2000 we sent the first 293 embryos to Brazil to start a Joint Venture with Renato Barbosa - Campanario - Matto Grosso du Sul. After a 5 year contract period these cattle were moved to Vito Gaia. These cattle are now near Campo Grande.
Our Mission & Vision
AG Bonsmara Achievements
2013
Arcadia Bonsmaras, die kudde van mnr Arthur de Villiers, is vanjaar aangewys as die Nasionale wenner van die LNR se Kudde van die Jaar kompetisie.
Die wenner, wat aan bepaalde standaarde moes voldoen, is vanjaar uit die finaliste van die nege provinsies, asook van Namibië en Botswana aangewys.
Dit is die eerste keer in die 16 jaar wat die kompetisie aangebied word dat soveel streke in aanmerking geneem is vir die gesogte toekenning.
Die kompetisie, waarby alle beesrasse in aanmerking geneem is, was ook die eerste en enigste wat alle Registrerende Owerhede (Stamboek, LNR en Breedplan) ingesluit het en is onafhanklik van enige voerverskaffer gehou.
Deel van die prys sluit ‘n LNR-ABSA geborgde reis na die VSA in vir die bywoning van die “Beef Improvement Federation’s Annual Convention” wat gedurende Junie 2014 gehou word.
2007
- Highest price at National Sale R43 000 (Cow and calf)
- Regional finalist for performance test herd of the year.
- Average Production Sale – bulls R57 800 – 59 bulls
- Highest price Bonsmara bull (without semen shares) R325 000
2006
- Highest price at National Sale R90 000 (Cow and calf)
- Regional finalist for performance test herd of the year.
- Average Production Sale – bulls R45 000 – 58 bulls
2005
- Regional finalist for performance test herd of the year.
- Best average of all Bonsmara sales in South Africa including National Bull sale.
- Average Production Sale – bulls R34 000 – 58 bulls
2004
- Regional finalist for performance test herd of the year.
- Best average of all Bonsmara sales in South Africa including National Bull sale.
- Average Production Sale – bulls R31 500 – 56 bulls
2003
- Regional finalist for performance test herd of the year.
- Best average of all Bonsmara sales in South Africa including National Bull sale.
- Average Production Sale – bulls R29 000 – 57 bulls
2002
- Average – R23 000 on 56 Bulls.
- Regional finalist for performance test herd of the year.
2001
- Best average of all Bonsmara Sales in South Africa, including National Bull Sale.
- Regional finalist for performance test herd of the year.
- Finalist / herd of the year/all beef breed/ SA studbook association.
2000
- Best average of all Bonsmara sales in South Africa, including National BM sale.
- Embryos in a joint venture to Brazil.
- Regional finalist for performance test herd of the year.
- Merit certificate / more than 30 years of participation in the Beef cattle Performance Testing Scheme.
1999
- Best average of all Bonsmara sales in South Africa, including National BM sale.
- Highest price for a heifer at National sale.
- Regional finalist for performance test herd of the year.
1998
- Semen share of AGJ 8 sold for R 50 200.00 to Pieter Roux and for R 50 000.00 to Fortress Bonsmaras.
- Best average of all Bonsmara sales in South Africa including National Bonsmara sale.
- Second highest priced Bonsmara bull sold in South Africa this year.
- Second highest priced heifer on National Bonsmara sale.
- Farmer’s Weekly award – Top producing cow.
- Embryos in a joint venture to Australia.
1997
- Sold to Fortress Bonsmaras.
- Best average of all Bonsmara sales in South Africa, including National BM sale.
- Record price for 250 semen straws of the bull AGD103 (R116 000).
- Highest price for heifers at National Sale. R75 000 for 250 semen straws of the bull AG J8.
1996
- Highest price for bull for this year.
- Took all major prices at local fatstock show and carcass competition against most other important beef breeds.
- Highest price for heifers at National Sale.
1995
- Highest average of all sales in South Africa including BM National Sale.
- 53 bulls average R22 500 and highest price for bull AG92-153 (R70 500).
- Received Farmers’ Weekly’s top production cow of the year.
1994
- Highest priced bull of the year and highest average of all sales including BM National Sale.
- A.I. bull AG91-130 awarded price for one of the top semen sellers of Taurus AI Station.
1993
- First own production sale.
- Best priced bull of the year and highest average of all sales including Bonsmara National Sale.
- First edition of ARCADIA NEWS our own newsletter.
1991
- Highest average and highest price on Bonsmara National Sale
1990
- Highest average and highest price on Bonsmara National Sale
1989
- Highest average on Bonsmara National Sale
WANT TO VISIT US?
AG Bonsmara offers accommodation on our premises for any visitors looking to stay a night or more. Click here to view our accommodation.
ABOUT US
We farm with some of the best bonsmara cattle in South Africa. The modern-day Arcadia Bonsmara has its roots in the harsh and tick-infested Bushveld of North Western Transvaal.