Ben du Plessis, president of the Merino Landsheep Breeders’ Society of South Africa, started his Roebella Landsheep stud in 1987 while still at school. His grandfather, Roelf du Plessis, and later his father, Dirk, both ran Merino Landsheep studs.
“I started the Roebella stud in 1987 and began farming full-time in 1991. Later, I also took over my father Dirk’s Verdeeld Landsheep stud,” recalls Du Plessis.
He now runs both stud herds, informally known as the Du Plessis stud, on the farms Verdeeld and Saaiplaas, situated along the Renoster River near Koppies in the Free State.
Du Plessis says that the outstanding characteristics of the Landsheep are the breed’s temperament, superb carcass quality, top performance in feedlots, and excellent wool.
According to him, the Landsheep suffered from a number of breeding mistakes in the late 1990s, and this saw a decline in the breed’s popularity in South Africa. The most significant error was placing too much focus on larger carcasses.
However, this has since been rectified, and Du Plessis believes that the breed is now regaining its rightful place amongst South Africa’s livestock breeds.
Breed numbers have increased noticeably in recent years due to the fact that breeders decided to focus selection on increasing muscling. As breeders started to rectify the poor selection criteria of the past, interest in the breed was revived and the Merino Landsheep Breeders’ Society now has more than 4 700 registered animals (compared with 2 600 about six years ago) belonging to 28 stud breeders and 26 commercial breeders.
FROM GERMANY TO SA
The Landsheep originated in Germany and the first shipment of the breed – six rams and 60 ewes – were imported to South Africa by a group of Free State farmers in 1956.
This story is from the March 20,2020 edition of Farmer's Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 20,2020 edition of Farmer's Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
R17m donation of tractors, bulls and infrastructure
Small-scale farmers in KwaZulu-Natal have been given an opportunity to grow into sustainable commercial businesses through a holistic integrated programme that will provide mechanisation, infrastructure and sector expertise.
Top dairy products revealed
Lactalis South Africa has won the South African Dairy Product of the Year Award for six of the past eight years. This year it won with a 10-month-old Gouda made especially for Woolworths.
Poor waste management highlighted on Earth Day
Most of South Africa’s waste ends up in dumps, if not strewn across open spaces or littering streams and oceans.
Kenya hosts soil health summit
The health of African soil was discussed at length by gathering of experts, writes Jeff Kapembwa.
Report shows the impact that heat has on agricultural workers
The UN’s International Labour Organisation (ILO) recently released a report showing the impact of climate change on the health of workers.
Factors to bear in mind when dipping livestock
It is important to consider the intervals at which you dip livestock in relation to the specific season in which ticks become more or less, writes Shane Brody.
Good outlook for pome fruit
Varieties of fruit could be the key in growing the pome fruit sector, writes Glenneis Kriel.
Building a sustainable agriculture sector in the Western Cape
Technology, research, financial mentorship and more will be required, writes Marinda Louw Coetzee.
PwC research shows food crisis impact
A new report details how the looming food crisis will affect Africa, writes Jyothi Laldas.
Braaied meat and soft-boiled egg Thai salad
This salad with maize, peanuts and eggs will turn leftover braai meat into a completely different meal. Recipe and photo: South African Poultry Association.