Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
- Casper and Loudine Byleveld made history earlier this year when they sold the most expensive goat ewe ever in South Africa.
- They competed at the biennial SA Boer Goat World Show in Bloemfontein, where they again performed exceptionally well.
- Casper says they’ve now been involved in the stud fulltime for some 15 years.
- Casper points out that the demand for Boer goat genetics and meat far exceeds what most people realise, but the supply often falls short.
- Looking ahead, Casper and Loudine plan to double the size of their stud over the next five years.
Casper and Loudine Byleveld, owners of the Nico Botha Boer goat stud near Britstown, made history earlier this year when they sold the most expensive goat ewe ever in South Africa. The ewe was bought for R320 000 by VEA Stud Breeders at the prestigious Black Tie Blue Blood Boer goat auction in Rawsonville, Western Cape. Other ewes from their stud averaged R98 000 at the same auction.
Just two weeks later, they competed at the biennial SA Boer Goat World Show in Bloemfontein, where they again performed exceptionally well – winning, among others, the category for a group of three ewes that hadn’t yet shed any teeth.
Read more about The Eastern Cape Boer Goat Club’s veld ram project.
Laying the foundation
Casper is clearly a respected Boer goat breeder, both locally and internationally. But where did it all begin, and what lies behind his success?
He explains that his journey started in 2009 when he began working for the late Nico Botha, whose Boer goat stud already enjoyed national and international recognition. In time, Casper married Nico’s daughter, Loudine, and the couple took over the operation after Nico passed. Under their stewardship, the stud continued to grow and excel. Today, it is one of the oldest and biggest Boer goat studs in the country, set to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2027.
Casper says they’ve now been involved in the stud fulltime for some 15 years. A visit to their farm, Kareehoek, leaves no doubt that the Bylevelds are passionate about what they do. The farm is immaculately kept, and their love for their animals is evident, especially when they speak about the goats’ individual quirks and personalities. While they also farm Merinos, Angoras, and Braunvieh cattle, it is the Boer goats that have captured their hearts.
“They’re the most profitable part of the farm,” Casper says. “My father-in-law built an incredible foundation with a brand that became globally recognised, and I’ve tried to build on that. But it still takes hard work and passion to sustain it and meet the demand. I’ve stuck to the principles he taught me, always trying to improve on it.”
Read more about SA goat breeds suit the Zimbabwean landscape.
Meeting a growing demand
Casper points out that the demand for Boer goat genetics and meat far exceeds what most people realise, but the supply often falls short. A decade ago, there were only around 200 breeders in South Africa. Today, that number has grown to 650 registered members of the SA Boer Goat Breeders’ Association. Nevertheless, the country faces a shortage of goat meat.
“Retailers won’t allocate shelf space to goat meat unless a consistent supply can be guaranteed. That is the challenge,” he says. “In provinces such as the Northern and Eastern Cape, the commercial market is growing, but there is huge room for expansion.”
One of the reasons producers are hesitant to enter the industry is the labour-intensive nature of goat farming. Goats are also relatively expensive animals. However, the breeders’ association offers excellent support, maintaining a disciplined and value-driven environment for members.
Practical benefits
Casper’s stud has proven its durability over time. The ewes lamb every eight months, with a lambing percentage of around 180% – a figure that requires plenty of labour.
“Goats are notorious for trying to escape through fences, so producers need to invest in proper infrastructure,” he says. “It’s extra work and money, but once that’s in place, goats are relatively easy to manage.”
One of their key advantages is their defensive nature. Boer goat ewes will fight to the death to protect their lambs. At Kareehoek, they lose around 2% of goat lambs to predators, compared to around 10% of sheep lambs.
He also believes Boer goats are particularly suited to arid regions. “They adapt well to dry conditions, making them ideal for places like the Northern and Eastern Cape. They also help with better veld management. While sheep graze only at ground level, goats browse higher up, ensuring that all of your veld is grazed.”
Genetics that deliver
Casper’s mission is to provide top-quality genetics to both stud and commercial breeders. He has been exporting genetics internationally for years and consistently breeds ewes that are in high demand at home and abroad.
Ewes are the factory of the farm, which is why the focus is on breeding large-framed, functional females. “With the right genetics, you’ll not only produce better carcasses, but you’ll also wean high-quality lambs faster and more consistently.”
Good genetics also contribute to reproductive efficiency, as high-quality ewes reconceive quickly after lambing. For those wanting to progress in the industry, he advises starting with a small stud until they are confident in their farming practices. “Genetics is the foundation you build everything else on,” he emphasises.
A bright future
Maintaining the stud’s genetics is an ongoing process of using only the best rams. “A ram’s lambs will resemble the ram’s mother. So, if that ewe was good, you can trust that the offspring will follow suit.”
He prefers buying top-quality ewes and pairing them with his own rams, trusting the combination will yield strong breeding animals. While this approach requires patience, it is less risky than buying unproven animals, given how costly goats can be. His rule of thumb? “Always buy goats from studs with proven, trustworthy backgrounds.”
Looking ahead, Casper and Loudine plan to double the size of their stud over the next five years. They’re working hard to breed more lambs and maintain their high standard. With their proven track record, strong work ethic, and passion for the breed, they have every reason to believe they will succeed. – Koos du Pisanie, Plaas Media
For more information, contact Casper Byleveld at 082 785 9343.
