Boran: ideal for high-density grazing operations

Gideon Oosthuizen runs a commercial beef cattle farm in North West. He explained to Annelie Coleman and Janine Ryan why the Boran is ideal for his particular farming system.

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Gideon Oosthuizen has been farming on De Beerskraal near Rysmierbult in North West since the early 1990s. He runs the operation alongside his uncle Deon, his nephew Gerik, and Deon’s son-in-law Nico, as well as his own son Raynard.

“The Oosthuizens have been farmers for decades. Raynard is the fourth-generation farmer in the family. Farming is in our blood,” says Oosthuizen.

Together, they run a commercial beef cattle herd and a feedlot. They also produce maize, potatoes, seed maize, and dry beans.

Since 2004, Oosthuizen has been implementing a high-density grazing programme on his farm after completing a course with Johann Zietsman, an animal scientist and well-known proponent of high-density grazing.

“We decided to implement high-density grazing to make optimal use of the entire farm,” explains Oosthuizen.

His use of high-intensity grazing ties in with the cattle he runs on the farm: he currently uses Boran bulls on Simbra-Brahman female animals, but says the herd is increasingly leaning more towards the Boran.

“I prefer the Boran because of its exceptional herding instinct, which means it works well in a high-density grazing operation,” says Oosthuizen.

He adds that in his high-density grazing programme, animals are moved four to eight times per day.

“This is why I like the Boran: they are always together, so they’re easy to move,” he says.

HIGH-DENSITY GRAZING