Functionally Efficient Animals Must Also Be Beautiful

Louis Greeff is partial to a beautiful Brahman, but to him science is just as important. For this reason, his genetically superior red Brahmans must also be beautiful. While other people are watching television, Louis usually sits at his computer where he carefully studies each animal. He uses advanced computer programs to plan the best matings with the greatest chance of success.

- Andries Gouws

While visiting him at his veterinary practice in Thabazimbi, Louis explains that for as long as he can remember, he always wanted to farm. His father, Danie, wanted him to become a physician – a dream Danie was unable to fulfil himself. Danie was a chemist and part-time farmer at first. He later became a full-time farmer. Louis spent many a school holiday looking after the farm in Thabazimbi by himself.

The start of big things

During his matric year, Louis decided to become a veterinarian. In 2001 he began practising as a veterinarian in town and joined Danie on the farm. He had always loved the red Brahman and his science teacher, Johan Prinsloo, with whom he had a special bond, had a red stud. Louis became involved with the stud as its veterinarian and decided to eventually buy 20 of Johan’s stud heifers.

One stormy night, Louis was checking on one of Johan’s top cows to make sure there were no calving problems. In a flash of lightning the small, wet bull calf caught Louis’s eye. In 2010 he bought this bull, PRI 09-983. This was the start of big things for his commercial cattle enterprise, in which PRI 09-983 would play a pivotal role. In 2012, with the birth of his first calves, it became clear that this bull was worth every cent.

Becoming a show stud

A major disaster hit the farm in 2013 when a feed supplier slipped up while mixing a lick. The lick was delivered on a Friday and was given to the cattle on Monday. Within hours, 190 cows had died due to urea poisoning, and 72 calves were orphaned. Louis filed a successful insurance claim against the feed company.