Breeding cattle for a tough life

As this article revealed, a stud farm near Ladysmith in KwaZulu-Natal Laimed to produce disease-resistant cattle able to thrive in harsh conditions.

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Starting with a market garden venture in 1958 on land that was irrigated from the Klip River near Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal, the De Franca family expanded into the beef industry.

Today, the De Francas' four farms cover about 9 000ha. Their latest acquisition is the well-known Rumevite farm at Fort Mistake.

About 130ha is under irrigation, and this land is used exclusively for animal-feed production. About half the area is planted to Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) that is used mainly for winter grazing, while the rest is planted to maize. Some of the maize is made into silage and some harvested as grain that is milled and used in animal rations.

When the veld starts its spring growth, the animals no longer eat the ryegrass. It is allowed to grow out and is then mowed, conditioned and baled with a round baler.

The bales, silage and maize grain are only fed to the cattle when necessary to supplement their natural grazing. Some of the silage is already four years old and isn't showing any signs of deterioration.

The family business is run by four De Franca brothers, with Johnny and Nic in charge of the farming operation.