Highveld farming: the more sheep, the merrier

The Mpumalanga Highveld was once the wool capital of South Africa, but rampant stock theft over the years has largely decimated the industry here. However, while some farmers are moving away from sheep farming, Johan Steyn has plans to expand his flock. He spoke to Lindi Botha about his success with Merinos.

- Lindi Botha

Mpumalanga’s Bethal region is known for its diversified farming operations, where producers use the crop residue from maize and soya bean harvests to feed their livestock.

While cattle production occurs throughout the area, sheep farming is almost completely absent. That is, until you get to Joubertsvlei Boerdery Trust, where owner Johan Steyn runs a flock of 5 000 Merino sheep. Moreover, he aims to grow this number.

“Managing [stock] theft costs money, but security costs the same whether you employ a guard to watch 1 000 or 5 000 sheep. So, the more I expand my flock, the less I pay per sheep for security, and the higher my income,” says Steyn. He adds that stock theft is by far the biggest barrier to farming sheep on the Highveld. However, as he appears to have this under control, there is much scope for improving his business’s bottom line.

Sheep production has a faster turnover than cattle production, thereby ensuring a steady cash flow, and the fact that the Merino is a dual-purpose sheep means that an additional income can be earned from the wool.

Moreover, sheep utilise maize and soya bean residue better than cattle do, so they don’t require additional feed in winter.

Sheep have long been a part of Joubertsvlei Boerdery Trust, having been introduced to the operation by Steyn’s father, Naas, in 1965. Father and son farmed together for 27 years before Naas retired in 2014 and Steyn took over the reins.