Careful management and marketing are both crucial in Boer goat production. Pip Nieuwoudt of Nama Stud, the oldest Boer goat stud in the Western Cape, spoke to Jeandré du Preez about his management strategy and how he tapped into the Middle Eastern market.
The Nieuwoudt family farms on Kromrivier near Clanwilliam in the Western Cape. Their history with Boer goat farming began in 1959 when Pip Nieuwoudt’s father, Rens, introduced the breed to the farm.
Unfortunately, predation by the Cape mountain leopard made it almost impossible to continue farming with goats on Kromrivier.
“The Cederberg is a conservation area. We tried farming ‘green’, but the leopards caused tremendous damage,” explains Pip, who is the sixth-generation Nieuwoudt to farm on Kromrivier.
To continue farming Boer goats, he bought the 4 000ha Hantamsdrift farm outside Nieuwoudtville in the Hantam Karoo in 2007. Today, he runs a flock of 350 Boer goats, as well as Mutton Merino and Saddle Horse studs.
SCARCE FORAGE
The Hantam Karoo is an arid region that makes farming extremely difficult, especially in the summer months and under drought conditions, when forage becomes scarce. Fortunately, goats are relatively hardy and can optimally utilise available vegetation; Pip’s Boer goat flock forages on trees, shrubs and Karoo bushes.
Due to the current ongoing drought in this region, farming conditions have become even more challenging than usual: the farm received less than 25mm of rain during the past year. Under these circumstances, toxic plants are often the only green matter that survive, and the kids tend to feed on these.
Despite the current poor state of veld forage, Pip does not feed his goats any additional fodder. Instead, he moves them to the floodplain next to the river running though the farm, where they graze on the pods of the Prosopis tree, an alien invasive species. “These are high in protein and serve as a good supplementary feed.”
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Review: the Toyota Hilux 2.8GD-6 DC 4×4 GR-Sport III
The third iteration of the Hilux GR-Sport has finally achieved a sense of presence and style befitting its raceinspired branding. But is this the ultimate modern Hilux? Car Magazine takes a closer look.
Why maize prices soar in Kenya and Malawi but not Tanzania
Namhla Landani, an economist at the Centre for Competition, Regulation and Economic Development, University of Johannesburg, and Arthur Khomotso Mahuma, economist and researcher at the Centre for Competition, Regulation and Economic Development, University of Johannesburg, analyse the issue.
Wet carcass syndrome: a scourge in SA sheep farming
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.
Pollination innovation
Bee-Tech Group is transforming South African agriculture with pollination technologies that boost crop yields and enhance sustainability. Founder Michiel Bruggeman spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel.
The valuable addition that makes this farm tick
Owning the value chain provides farmers with far more control over their produce. However, it requires a fine balance between production and ensuring there is a strong and steady market. Lindi Botha visited Rosemary Hill to find out how this essential oil producer leverages hospitality to make the farm viable.
The benefits of recirculating aquaculture systems
A powerful set of attributes has established recirculating aquaculture systems as a cornerstone of global temperate fish farming, writes Leslie Ter Morshuizen, owner of Aquaculture Solutions.
Minister has big plans for emerging and commercial farmers
DA leader and Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen spoke to Glenneis Kriel about his priorities for his department over the next five years, including an increased focus on biosecurity.
New study aims to make wheat more disease resistant
A recent international study explains how bread wheat has helped to transform the ancient world on its path to becoming the iconic crop that today helps sustain a global population of eight billion.
Conservation farming and biodiversity boost soil health and sustainability
A recent academic event focused on research into the links between soil biodiversity, soil health and sustainable agriculture
What has led to the unparalleled rice shortage in Japan?
Japan is facing a rice shortage amid concerns about a potential 'megaquake', several typhoons and an annual week-long holiday, which has led to an increase in panic buying.