Meticulous management systems enable the Boer goats of the Shongololo Stud near Loskop Dam in Groblersdal, to overcome a restrictive environment and produce according to their genetic potential. Only genetically superior breeding animals are used and those unable to perform in this environment are culled.
From modest beginnings
Fouchè Blignaut bought the farm in 1986 and started out with game while running a hardware business in Groblersdal. In 2013 he became a full-time farmer and was joined by Francois Bouwer, the farm’s flock manager, in 2016. Today they run a herd comprising 700 stud ewes.
The stud started out with only 50 ewes and two rams purchased from well-known breeders. This modest start was aimed at seeing how well Boer goats fared in this area, which is not traditionally known for its small-stock breeding.
The goats adapted quickly, and easily utilized the mountainous grazing with its many edible shrubs. The animals were also manageable and hardy. From the outset, the goat farming enterprise was developed as a precision farming enterprise that quickly grew to 400 ewes.
Selecting for an excellent flock
At the end of 2018, Fouchè and Francois discussed the future of the Boer goat flock as a sustainable and profitable business. They decided that, as with Fouchè’s game enterprise, outstanding genetic material was the only way to accomplish this.
They went in search of the best breeding material and purchased an entire stud, which by 2020 had grown to 1 200 Boer goats. These animals were thoroughly examined, and they decided that traits such as birth weight, weaning weight, post-weaning growth, fertility, and the ability to yield multiples needed improving.
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