Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
- Jan van Zyl, well-known Brahman breeder of Kroon Vee Brahmans near Vryburg in North West, says if you think farming is a way to get rich quickly, you should consider doing something else.
- Large cattle operations are a captivating sight and there is nothing wrong with envisioning such a venture for yourself. However, the reality is that building a thriving farming enterprise takes years, even generations, of relentless effort.
- New breeders will not achieve much if they don’t know how to achieve it. Knowledge is the key to sustainability and success. Know where you want to go, know what strengths and weaknesses the breed you want to farm possesses, and know how to reach your breeding goals.
- “The most challenging part of starting a beef cattle breeding enterprise is obtaining your first ten cows,” Jan says. This requires money earned elsewhere. You need to buy animals from trustworthy breeders.
- Cattle farming requires a lot of land. New entrants can borrow money to expand their herd if they own debt-free land.
Becoming a cattle breeder requires more than hard work – it also demands passion. To succeed, you need to select a breed that resonates with you and that you will love working with. This involves researching different breeds, understanding their traits, and considering climate suitability, market demand, and personal preferences.
Jan van Zyl, well-known Brahman breeder of Kroon Vee Brahmans near Vryburg in North West, says if you think farming is a way to get rich quickly, you should consider doing something else.
Large cattle operations are a captivating sight and there is nothing wrong with envisioning such a venture for yourself. However, the reality is that building a thriving farming enterprise takes years, even generations, of relentless effort. Starting from scratch demands a monumental commitment from the entire family. Yet with careful planning and a clear vision, you can be well on your way to success, reaping the rewards in the long run.
To know more about Kroon Vee Brahmans an intensively managed extensive herd
Knowledge is king
New breeders will not achieve much if they don’t know how to achieve it. Knowledge is the key to sustainability and success. Know where you want to go, know what strengths and weaknesses the breed you want to farm possesses, and know how to reach your breeding goals. Setting clear goals is not just a roadmap; it is a source of empowerment. It gives you direction and purpose, making it easier to navigate challenges and make informed decisions.
Jan’s farming dream started when he was still at school. During holidays, he worked on the farms of the best Brahman breeders of the time, learning as much as he could from them. The invaluable guidance of mentors within the breeding community enriched his journey. Their wisdom and experience offered him a unique perspective. It taught him that livestock breeders are never alone on their journey; a great many experienced breeders are willing to share their know-how with new entrants.
He recalls well-known Brahman breeder, Louis Bosman (who also bred racehorses), telling him that you cannot breed a winner for the July Handicap out of ten mares; you need at least a hundred. The penny dropped, and Jan realised that economies of scale was the answer. This concept refers to the cost advantages a business can achieve by increasing its production scale.
Aim for the best
“The most challenging part of starting a beef cattle breeding enterprise is obtaining your first ten cows,” Jan says. This requires money earned elsewhere. You need to buy animals from trustworthy breeders. “Heifers should come from fertile cows that can produce calves economically and rear them without issues. Buy from a herd that is free of infectious diseases. It’s worthwhile to save a little longer and buy excellent animals rather than getting away cheaply.”
If you can afford it, buy heifers that are pregnant from a bull that will enhance the genetic progress of your herd. “Your breeding objective, or the specific traits you aim to establish or improve in your herd, are crucial because they guide your breeding decisions and help you focus on the long-term success of the business. As you progress towards your first breeding objective, the next goal will fall into place, and you will be one step closer to achieving your overall breeding objective.”
Some new breeders already own a few animals. The first step to commercial breeding is to keep records that will identify the fertile female animals and eliminate the passengers stealing your grass. Replace them with fertile and preferably in-calf heifers. This record-keeping practice is crucial as it also helps track animals’ breeding history and make informed decisions for the future.
The next step is buying a bull – not just any bull, but one that will help you advance towards your breeding goal. When buying a new bull, look critically at your cow herd and select a bull that will improve the weak points while enhancing the good traits.
Buy a bull from a breeder with similar breeding goals. Such a breeder will also recommend a follow-up bull that can replace or supplement your existing bull.
The issue of land
Cattle farming requires a lot of land. New entrants can borrow money to expand their herd if they own debt-free land. If this is not the case, it is more advantageous to lease land so that the cattle can pay for it, but be careful.
Jan says he leases land until the cattle are paid for, and then buys land to accommodate the cattle. While building a herd and acquiring land, he sells cattle to meet his obligations and refrains from making expensive purchases.
Communal land is not an obstacle in cattle breeding. It can be a viable option for new farmers. Four or five communal farmers can join forces to negotiate grazing rights, build a kraal, secure water, and buy a good bull. Jan has accompanied communal farmers to deal with their headman to bring order to their farming endeavours. This collaborative approach reduces individual costs, and fosters a sense of community and shared responsibility.
The more they expand their communal farming enterprises, the more opportunities arise for leasing land and enlarging herds. You do not make money from the land you rent; you increase the number of cattle and the value of your investment.
Grazing and infrastructure
Producers must not only equip themselves with knowledge pertaining to the breed of cattle they wish to farm; they must also be aware of the advantages and shortcomings of the grazing or veld on the farm. Licks and feed supplements should compensate for the deficiencies in the nutritional value of the grazing, rather than correcting management flaws. It must enable the cattle to reach their genetic potential.
It is easy to manage livestock when there is proper infrastructure in place. You don’t need everything from the get-go, but a decent kraal, crush, sorting facilities and good fences allow for successful management. The facilities need not be five-star, but they must work properly. When you acquire your own land, you can build facilities that make it easy to handle the animals.
Keep up-to-date records
The term ‘record-keeping’ fills some breeders with dread. However, if you don’t know you cannot progress, and this is where meticulous, accurate records are worth their weight in gold. You do not need a computer with an advanced software program, but at least require a cow card to record all relevant information, such as calving date, ease of calving, strength of the calf, and its ability to suckle.
If you have a scale, weigh the calf, record the birthweight and the weight upon selling the calf. Then, you can measure the calf’s daily weight gain in gram and compare it to the other calves to identify the best producers and dams. As you progress, you can start using more advanced aids.
Using these records, you can identify the cows that bring in the least money, sell them, and use the proceeds to buy more productive heifers or a better bull.
A final thought
The cow is the factory on the farm, and this factory must produce smoothly. While the bull significantly influences the herd, the cow’s contribution must not be discounted.
Keep a good balance in your life and your herd, and between income and expenditure. Try never to emphasise only one trait as there is synergism between traits. If you change one, some of the others may change as well. To succeed, you need animals that are adapted to the environment – careful selection is required to reach that goal.
Put your goals on a poster in your office or home to remind you of your target – this will keep you focussed. In the end, there’s nothing like seeing your hard work pay off. Kroon Vee has been presenting an annual production auction since 1996. They dreamed of holding a second annual sale, which will take place on the first Wednesday of November this year. And they’ve already started planning a third sale envisioned for August 2030. – Andries Gouws, Stockfarm
For enquiries, contact Jan van Zyl on 082 444 5222 or email jan@kroonvee.com.
