Building on a family wool farming legacy
The roots of the Battenhausen family in the Upper Karoo are as deep and meaningful as their family tree. For six generations, they have farmed sheep near Philipstown, and their...
South African goat breeds raise the bar for global meat quality
Chantelle Smit, secretary of the SA Boer Goat Breeders’ Association, spoke to Sabrina Dean about what sets South Africa’s Boer, Savanna, and Kalahari Red goats apart from their global counterparts.
Top genetics and passion drive success at goat stud
Christiaan Labuschagne established the Hakuna Matata Stud in Hoopstad, Free State, in 2024 and currently farms Boer and Savanna goats. In a short space of time, the stud has achieved...
Improving goat herds through better selection
Christiaan Labuschagne, owner of the Hakuna Matata Stud, says South Africa’s Boer goats are in high demand because stud owners have strict selection criteria and the South African Boer Goat...
Producers can’t keep up with global demand for goat meat
Global demand for goat meat is increasing, with health, cultural, and religious practices driving the surge. Trade data company the Observatory of Economic Complexity reported that, over the past five...
Expert tips for emerging sheep farmers
Emerging sheep farmers can boost their production and profitability by focusing on quality over quantity. Willem Goosen, production adviser at the National Wool Growers’ Association, spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel...
‘Choose the SA Suffolk for lucrative sheep farming’
According to RC Malherbe, the SA Suffolk sheep breed has all the characteristics needed for profitable sheep farming.
‘SA’s Ile de France sheep is the ideal choice for crossbreeding’
The Ile de France is a dual-purpose breed that improves the carcass quality of its crossbred progeny.
Brothers’ journey from communal farming to mohair success
Through strategic partnerships and perseverance, brothers Simphiwe, Thembinkosi, and Linda Fani have built Doornrivier Farm in Somerset East, Eastern Cape, into a thriving livestock operation. Simphiwe and Thembinkosi spoke to...
High-tech Meatmaster farming in the Klein Karoo
Fintech entrepreneur Pieter de Wet, who farms Meatmaster sheep in the Klein Karoo, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about how he is helping to reshape the local meat industry with his...
Unlocking value through livestock exports
Exporting livestock might sound like a daunting business that’s better left for big companies, but Gerrie Ferreira, who farms near Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape, has been doing it successfully...
Breeding productive, well-adapted Angoras in the Eastern Cape
Pieter Jordaan runs Angora goats and Merinos on 16 000ha near Aberdeen in the Eastern Cape. The 2024 Agri Eastern Cape Young Farmer of the Year finalist spoke to Mike...
