Planted pasture cuts drought risk for stud breeder

To cope with new challenges that arose during the recent drought, Johannes and Marijke Botha of Bodeel Angus Stud in the Free State decided to stop grain production and instead concentrate fully on producing beef cattle on planted pasture. Annelie Coleman reports.

- Annelie Coleman

About five years ago, Johannes and Marijke Botha of Bodeel Angus Stud between Bothaville and Viljoenskroon in the Free State made the bold decision to stop producing grain crops and focus their energy on beef cattle production instead. Moreover, they chose to use planted pasture as grazing.

According to the Bothas, the main objective of cattle farming is to convert grass to meat. For this reason, all livestock producers are in reality grazing managers. They either have to manage natural grazing or plant pastures to ensure optimal efficiency and profitability, says Johannes.

Their decision to switch from maize to planted pasture was motivated in part by the continual droughts that have ravaged the western part of the summer rain production area over the past few years.

“We also realised that the days of keeping the livestock component on less than high-potential lands are long gone. Profitable cattle production now depends on the best possible inputs,” says Johannes.

Of course, they had to choose a cattle breed that would provide the most benefit for the type of farming system they envisaged. They settled on the Angus, a breed known for its efficient conversion of grass to meat. In addition, the breed is highly adaptable, productive and early-maturing, and has exceptional growth rates, a good temperament and top meat quality.

A MIX OF PASTURE CROPS

Switching from maize to planted pastures took about three years, says Johannes. They decided on a mix of pasture crops, including Sugargraze, cowpeas, weeping love grass (Eragrostis curvula), teff (E. tef), Katamboratype Rhodes grass, and lucerne.