Savannas thrive on a Thaba game farm

Savanna goats and game may not sound like an obvious farming combination, but for Barnard & Seuns Savanna Stud near Thabazimbi, it works remarkably well.

- By Susan Marais (Photographs: Deidré Louw)

Just ask Anton Barnard. And yes, the goats and game do mingle without any issues. The only time goats are separated from the game is when they need to manage breeding groups.

"Game and goats use different ecological niches," Anton explains his unconventional approach. Leaf-eating antelope such as nyala and bushbuck compete for feed at the same level, while buffalo are grazers, avoiding direct competition. "Similarly, goats thrive alongside game in the same ecosystem." Kudus browse at a higher level than goats, while giraffes feed even higher - ensuring space for all.

Besides the Savannas and antelope, the Barnards also share their land with predators. A female leopard roams the farm, which is why the goats are kraaled at night. "We've had to learn the hard way from caracal and jackal damage," Anton says.

An enterprise that adds value

Besides their ecological benefits, goats are a proven and valuable economic asset. The Barnard farming enterprise covers more than 700ha, with a Savanna flock of around 300 goats. This is a manageable number, says Anton. The flock is split into groups, and breeding is carefully structured: one season runs from April to May, leading to spring births, while another begins in November, producing autumn kids.

Some animals are sold as stud stock, while those that do not meet the strict phenotypic standards are sold as commercial goats.