Sheep & Goats

Wet carcass syndrome continues to take a huge financial toll on South African sheep farmers. Octavia Avesca Spandiel spoke to two experts about the ongoing genetic research aimed at addressing this issue.

Innovative Meatmaster breeder René Rossouw runs her 350-strong Jumike Meatmasters stud on only 65ha on the family farm, Alice, in Wesselsbron in the Free State. She spoke to Annelie Coleman about how she manages to effectively run her flock on such a small piece of land.

Luvo Kiyane is not only at the helm of a profitable livestock initiative on a shared state land reform farm in the Elliot district of the Eastern Cape, but also owns a vibrant wool services business. Mike Burgess writes about his successful journey into the South African agriculture sector.

Desmond Siteti, the Agricultural Research Council’s Eastern Cape emerging beef farmer for 2021, believes that his flock of white Savanna goats is the perfect complement to his beef operation near Makhanda in the Eastern Cape.

In this second part of our series on risk mitigation for sheep producers in South Africa, freelance strategist and writer PJ Mommsen looks at the riskiest periods that both mutton and wool farmers have to contend with.

In this third article on the mitigation of risk in the farming of sheep, PJ Mommsen, a freelance risk mitigation strategist, illustrates how the inclusion of risk mitigation strategies and innovative solutions, in combination with the traditional value analysis of a defined element of production, can work to add new perspectives to a farming operation.

Mohair production is a valuable farming option even outside the Karoo. This is being demonstrated at two studs in North West’s Wolmaransstad district, as Annelie Coleman found out on her visit to three brothers-in-law: Petrus Marx, Reco Pieterse and Stephan Erasmus.

The Mpumalanga Highveld was once the wool capital of South Africa, but rampant stock theft over the years has largely decimated the industry here. However, while some farmers are moving away from sheep farming, Johan Steyn has plans to expand his flock. He spoke to Lindi Botha about his success with Merinos.

The subtropical Lowveld is hardly prime goat country, but with good management, a farmer can add a valuable component to the crops cultivated in the area. Divan Maritz spoke to Lindi Botha about how he manages his goat stud of 300 animals for optimal farm profitability in this climate.

There are about 20 breeds of sheep in South Africa, each of which is classified according to the role it plays on a farm. Janine Ryan looks at some of the country’s most popular meat, wool and dual-purpose sheep breeds.

Johanri Dormers stud near Lindley in the Free State is known for outstanding animals that achieve record prices. Owner Johan Barnard credits the success of his operation to the careful implementation of specific line-breeding principles, among other factors.

Faced with the grim reality of retrenchment, Larry Snyders refused to give in to despair. Instead, he poured all his energy into his sideline business, a small White Dorper stud. A few years later, he reached the pinnacle of his new career, becoming a champion breeder. He shared his story with Susan Marais.

The Letelle is a proudly South African dual-purpose sheep, but despite its exceptional qualities, it remains one of the most underestimated sheep breeds in the country. Theo Oosthuizen, who breeds Letelle on his Free State farm, spoke to Annelie Coleman about these remarkable animals.

Intestinal worms in sheep are a serious problem for farmers, particularly communal farmers, and the timeous detection and treatment thereof are crucial for reducing possible financial losses and/or mortalities. Janine Ryan looks at the most economically important internal parasites that infect sheep in South Africa.

Changing weather conditions and Africa’s severe poverty demand tough, easy-to-care-for livestock. The answer, says breeder Deon Vlok, is indigenous veld goats.

The Martyrsford Angora Stud in the Eastern Cape was founded in 1871. Current owner Sean Hobson explained the standards and commitment that have long inspired the farm’s owners to Annelie Coleman.

While most Angora producers in the Southern Cape have given up farming these animals, brothers Jasper and Leon van der Westhuizen have achieved exceptional results. They spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the local environmental conditions and their management techniques.

Earlier this year, a number of Merino stud breeders from Middelburg in the Eastern Cape formed the Nu Poll Merino Group, whose aim it is to breed polled sheep exclusively. Group member Tinus du Plessis explained to Annelie Coleman why breeding and farming these animals made business sense.

Lambing pens offer a multitude of benefits for farmers. Regina Harmse, who breeds Ile de France sheep in Mpumalanga, spoke to Annelie Coleman about the ways in which these pens can add value to any type of sheep production concern.

Intensive sheep farming has given eastern Free State farmer Gareth Angus the opportunity to increase his lambs’ survival rate, boost profits and ensure traceability from birth to farm gate, while also decreasing predation and elemental risk. Susan Marais visited Angus’s farm during the 2021 LRF Stockman School.