The 2025 Namibia Genetics Auction, held on Tuesday, 19 August 2025, at the Bank Windhoek Agra Ring in Windhoek, once again demonstrated the strength and resilience of Namibia’s agricultural sector. Sponsored by Bank Windhoek and hosted in partnership with Agra Auctions, the prestigious event, which was also broadcast online, saw the sale of 92 cattle, comprising 40 bulls, 52 heifers, and cows from 14 breeders. Competitive bidding drove prices to impressive levels, with the highest-selling bull reaching N$157,000 and an overall average bull price of N$67,129.
Heifers and cows also obtained strong returns, reflecting continued confidence in the future of cattle breeding in Namibia. The average price for heifers and cows was N$21,000. The Namibia Genetics Auction remains a cornerstone of the country’s agricultural calendar, fostering growth, innovation, and the exchange of top-tier breeding material amongst farmers. Its Chairperson, Rynand Mudge, said the Group has established itself as a brand of choice. “Consistent good quality genetics is the secret, and our association with Bank Windhoek ties in with that ethos,” he said.
Mudge also added that the Auction went well, with reasonable average prices for the bulls and females of all the breeds, and that attendance and the number of buyers registered were also higher than ever before. Investing in Namibia’s agriculture sector Established in 2011, the Namibia Genetics Auction Group comprises 15 members specialising in seven cattle breeds. Based on membership, it is the biggest cattle breeding group in the country, breeding bulls and cows best suited to Namibia’s harsh environment. The Group holds two annual auctions, one in May and another in August. Bank Windhoek’s Acting Executive Officer of Retail Banking Services, Leon Koch, said the Bank understand the importance of agriculture in livelihoods and that a future-thinking mindset prioritising sustainability is essential for agriculture.
In its continued efforts to support this key sector, he said that between 2023 and 2024, Bank Windhoek spent approximately two million Namibian Dollars on various agricultural sector initiatives. “The Bank also supports initiatives such as the Agra Weaner Championships, the Bank Windhoek Agriculture Series, the Windhoek Agricultural Show, the National Youth Cattle Judging Competition hosted in collaboration with Feedmaster, the Namibia Agricultural Union and Livestock Producers’ Organisation projects and various small stock and cattle auctions across the country,” he said. Koch also mentioned that Bank Windhoek has prioritised agriculture in its strategy, such as launching various products to support the agriculture industry, including a Sustainability Loan, which in 2024 disbursed 407 million Namibian Dollars in projects, with 25 million Namibian Dollars explicitly allocated to agriculture. “We recognise that our customers are the cornerstone of our success, and platforms like the Namibia Genetics Auction reaffirm our commitment to building lasting relationships,” said Koch. Buyers who attended the Auction praised the variety and calibre of animals, emphasising the role of genetic improvement in advancing herd productivity and reinforcing Namibia’s reputation for excellence in livestock production.