Sheep & Goats

South Africa’s farmers have little choice: they must adapt in order to limit the effects of climate change on livestock production and animal health, according to experts.

Danie Thomas, a young Dormer stud farmer in Kroonstad, achieved the highest prices ever in South Africa for in-lamb and open ewes at the Kairos production sale this year. His stud also consists of some of the finest Dormer sheep genetics in the country.

Market volatility and climatic risks have resulted in an increasing number of grain producers in the Swartland incorporating livestock into their farming systems. Glenneis Kriel talks to Stephen and Peter Steyn to find out how they use sheep and medics to optimise their grain returns.

Elnora Crous explains to Glenneis Kriel how laparoscopic insemination has helped to accelerate genetic progress in the Dohne Merino stud on their family farm, Jongensklip, near Caledon.

Sexually transmitted animal diseases and a lack of vaccines are the foremost challenges facing Northern Cape livestock producers. Annelie Coleman asked Dr Koos Louw, chairperson of the provincial Red Meat Producers’ Organisation’s (RPO NC) Animal Health Forum, to explain.

Award-winning goat’s cheese and milk producer, Christo Venter, believes A-grade goat’s milk is needed to produce cheese of distinction. He told Gerhard Uys how veld-reared milk goats can supply the high-quality milk needed to achieve this.

Tink Strydom’s Hartebeesfontein Stud produces Merinos that excel on grassveld and have good medium to strong wool. He spoke to Gavin Isted.

Dr Erika van Zyl discusses alternative manners in which to deal with parasites in smallstock.

Farmers are often deterred by the challenges of an intensive sheep farming enterprise. Wayne Southwood visited Dr Karin and Manie Wessels who run the Mamre Dorper Stud near Vrede, to see how it is done.

For four generations, the Jordaan family has been dedicated to advancing the Boer goat breed.

Rooibos tea is currently selling at record levels of about R46/kg, but prices were below R5/kg only six years ago. To reduce his exposure to the volatility of the market, Willem Engelbrecht of Groenkol Boerdery, diversified into intensive sheep production. Glenneis Kriel spoke to him about how he adapted a model from the US.

Boer goat stud breeder Johan Boshoff uses production data as a valuable tool to breed a new generation of goats to take his herd, the breed, and the industry forward. He explains to Gerhard Uys why this is important and how he goes about it.