Feedlot + silage = a formidable combination

As in most industries, it is becoming increasingly difficult for an agricultural enterprise to remain profitable. Therefore producers need to be resourceful when adding value to their products. Ian Brown and his son Gordon are cattle producers in the Tlhakgameng region north of Vryburg, and are not ones to shy away from challenges. In fact, they see a challenge as an opportunity to expand their farming enterprise.

- Koos du Pisanie

They started a feedlot on the farm around five years ago. Gordon says he will never forget the day they took the decision. They were at an auction where several of their own Charolais oxen and heifers were up for sale.

“When the oxen came into the ring to be weighed, one of the buyers asked how many heifers were in the lot. My father felt it was unfair to discriminate against the heifers that shared the ring with the oxen. That is when he suggested that we start feeding our own calves, as we were well aware of the quality of our animals.”

For Gordon, who is a quantity surveyor, the opportunity seemed ideal as the heifers would generate more money if they were fed, instead of earning less money at the auction.

By feeding the animals and selling larger carcasses to the abattoir, they were able to expand the farm vertically without it costing too much. The farm already had facilities which were modified for the feedlot and today they can accommodate 1 000 animals.

Meticulous management for success

He explains that it is quite the balancing act to feed the animals profitably. Hence the feedlot must be operated judiciously.

Their main advantage is that all their calves can be bought locally – animals are therefore transported over short distances, thus eliminating stress. “Because we farm commercially, we utilise our own calves and buy very selectively from local producers we know. Transport expenses is the one aspect that can often erode one’s profits,” he says.

Because the calves they buy are adapted to the climate and environment, they don’t experience too much stress when they are moved to the feedlot.