Vastrap - Passionate about Boran

1. Introduce yourself
Quentin and Marisa de Bruyn are the owners of Vastrap Boran stud, located near Ladybrand in the Eastern Free State. Quentin is a 4th generation "de Bruyn" farming at Vastrap. The farming enterprise is diverse, but their primary focus revolves around their Boran Cattle Stud, which consists of about 400 bullable purebred Boran females that have been carefully selected. They also run a herd of commercial cross-bred Boran/Angus cattle.
The stud was established in 2010 and has been recognised consistently as one of the top performing Boran herds in South Africa.

We are passionate about our Boran and excited to showcase another excellent offering of quality bulls, future star heifers and proven cows. The auction offering is 20 pregnant SP Boran cows, 35 pregnant heifers and 18 of our best performance tested 3-year old SP Boran bulls.

Our 3-year old bulls are performance tested against each other on veld conditions. They are rock hard, manly and muscular with accurate EBVs that buyers can rely on to pick the right bull for their needs.

Heifers 

This is the best group of heifers we have ever offered on auction. Three out of the top 4 heifers in the Vastrap herd will be on sale. These are heifers that will fly the Vastrap flag high wherever they go.

This is an exceptional offering of cows from well known Vastrap bloodlines. The consistency in their breeding and performance is outstanding. These cows are entering their prime and there breeding records and performance values stand testament to the value they will bring to buyers.

At Vastrap we use the full range of tools at our disposal to make the right selections in our herd. These include accurate performance measurement combined with knowledge of genetics and physical appraisal of every animal in our stud. 

Quality genetics is one of the most important factors underpinning our stud. We select animals that are balanced, functional and adaptable. Growth, milk and fertility are key selection criteria, but without compromising on balance.

For the past 13 years Vastrap Boran has been a leader in performance measurement. Measurement helps us to make better selection decisions, which improves the overall performance of our herd in terms of fertility, wean weights, and cow/calf efficiency ratios. The fact that we have been collecting accurate data for more than a decade makes the EBVs of Vastrap animals by far the most accurate and reliable in the Boran industry.

Cattle breeding has always been my passion. After a decade of hands-on experience in commercial cattle farming, my encounter with the Born breed proved to be instantaneous and profound. Their exceptional attributes of resilience, adaptability, nurturing instincts, temperament, and unparalleled herd instinct set them apart from other breeds.
Furthermore, their hybrid vigour makes them an ideal choice for cross-breeding. In 2010, after extensive research and multiple visits to Kenya, Marisa and I embarked on our journey to establish the Vastrap Boran stud.

Since our first production sale in 2013, the Vastrap stud has achieved remarkable growth and success. Our dedication and commitment have earned us prestigious awards and recognition, affirming the quality and breeding standards of the Vastrap herd. Looking ahead, we remain passionate about the Boran breed, upholding our farming heritage, and making a lasting impact in the industry.