DF Fyfer farms 50km northwest of Vryburg in the Louwna area of the Kalahari thornveld. In addition to the grass species, camelthorn trees, raisin bush and wild sage the area is known for, Vryburg, and Louwna specifically, is regarded as one of the best areas in South Africa in which to rear cattle.
A new approach to farming
The area receives around 500mm of rainfall each year, but over the past few years, it has been well below average. This prompted DF to take a critical look at his farming enterprise; his conclusion was that he needed a new approach.
DF attributes his interest in regenerative agriculture to his father and while studying the ins and outs of the system, he realised that instead of being just a grass farmer, the health of the soil should also receive attention.
Farming entails the entire ecosystem – not just cattle. It is very important to understand that if it isn’t in the soil, it cannot be transferred to the grass and, ultimately, the cattle. Healthy soil and cattle are interrelated.
The major difference between this system and the traditional way of cattle farming is that production on a conventional farm is usually measured in the kilograms of meat produced by each animal. DF has a different approach; he measures kilograms of meat produced and profit per hectare.
Stocking rate and fertility
The two most significant contributors to a sustainable and profitable beef enterprise are the stocking rate (the number of animals that can be accommodated on the grazing) and fertility of the cowherd. “I therefore try to carry as many animals as possible on the grazing without compromising fertility. But achieving this is quite tricky,” says DF.
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