FAST FACTS
In parts of South Africa, demand for goat meat far outstrips supply.
To take advantage of this shortage, André and Brenda Swanepoel have established a small, but successful, goat meat production enterprise in Mpumalanga.
The couple's greatest challenge is the high parasite populations of the Lowveld.
André and Brenda Swanepoel’s 9ha smallholding on the outskirts of Mbombela in Mpumalanga is the ideal home for their Boer goat meat production enterprise: it is sufficiently large for their flock and perfectly placed to service the demand for goat meat in the area. One drawback is the subtropical climate, which results in high pest loads. Nonetheless, the couple has found that with careful management, they can maintain a healthy flock, and today have an efficient commercial operation with excellent growth prospects.
FROM A HOBBY TO A BUSINESS
Brenda launched the goat flock in 2016 with André’s help. Named Meraki Goats, the enterprise was essentially a hobby that sprang out of Brenda’s love for animals. At the time, André was working in the steel industry. In April 2018, however, he was retrenched and since then has increasingly taken over the day-to-day running of the flock. This has helped him and Brenda focus on growing the operation.
Denne historien er fra January 29, 2021-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
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Denne historien er fra January 29, 2021-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Syngenta Seedcare celebrates a decade of innovation
Syngenta's ambition is to enable their customers' investments to grow in healthy soil from treated seeds to young plants through innovation and collaboration, writes Magda du Toit.
Agri workers shine at Western Cape awards
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Small and large farmers recognised at grain awards
The annual Grain SA/Syngenta awards ceremony bears testimony to the quality of farmers in the grain industry.
Growing partnerships: Fedgroup's flexible and innovative approach
Janine Ryan spoke to Warren Winchester, general manager of impact investing at Fedgroup, about why the company became involved in agriculture, and what it offers farmers and their immediate communities.
Why fish farms fail, and how to avoid becoming a statistic
The popularity of launching fish farms is not matched by their success. Leslie Ter Morshuizen, owner of Aquaculture Solutions, explores the factors that cause most of these businesses to go under.
Where history and modernity meet in a luxurious setting
Brian Berkman kept his eyes peeled for ghosts in the oldest continuously run hotel in South Africa, but all he found was a fabulous two-night stay.
THE HITCHING POST
I'm a stylish elderly lady with a radiant glow and a good sense of humour that keeps me young at heart.
Cutworms: check the weeds on your fields!
Zunel van Eeden explains why understanding the ecological interplay between cutworms and weeds is crucial for effective pest management. Producers should disrupt the life cycle of cutworms to minimise crop damage.
Does high-density grazing mimic grazing patterns of game?
In their paper on high-density grazing in Southern Africa, professors Angelinus Franke and Elmarie Kotzé from the Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences at the University of the Free State say high-density grazing systems may not accurately reflect natural ecosystems. Roelof Bezuidenhout reports.
Global grain outlook: 2024/25 marketing season
In its latest summer crops report, the Crop Estimates Committee says South African farmers intend to plant 4,47 million hectares of summer grains and oilseeds in the 2024/25 season, up 1% from the previous season. As South Africa exports maize and soya bean, Annelie Coleman reports on the latest trends in the international grain and oilseed markets, amid fluctuations in weather conditions and ongoing armed conflicts.
