Boer goats add value where others dare not graze

Giel Swiegers's Boer goats aren't the farm's main income, but by grazing once-unused slopes, they play a vital role in keeping his farm, Witrivier, resilient and productive. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel.

- Glenneis Kriel

In the past, the Swiegers family was unable to produce any livestock on the rugged northern slopes of their farm, Witrivier, near Meiringspoort in the Groot Karoo, because of nenta succulents that grow there. These succulents poison any livestock that dare to eat it.

Giel Swiegers, third generation on the farm, explains that when eaten, the toxins in the plant attack the muscular and nervous systems of an animal, causing tremors, weakness and death if animals are not treated in time.

Fifteen years ago, however, Swiegers's father, Guillaume, came up with the idea to keep Boer goats in these areas.

The experiment was a huge success. They had to treat one or two of the goats for poisoning at the start, but after that, never had problems again.

Boer goats are incredibly clever. They learn what to avoid and teach their offspring to do the same, says Swiegers.

BUILDING A RESILIENT BUSINESS

Boer goats, as such, have become a valuable addition to Witrivier's diverse farming operations, which also includes vegetable seed production, ostrich chicks, Merino sheep and beef cattle.

Managing such a mix is no small feat, but it allows us to use our land optimally and reduce climate and market risks. The livestock give us steady, reliable income, while seed production can be highly lucrative, but it’s seasonal and much riskier. One hailstorm and the entire crop is gone, says Swiegers.

The main aim with his goats is to supply the live meat market, with about 90% of his marketable goats, consisting of ram kids weighing around 30kg at three to four months of age and culled ewes, being sold to speculators at a depot in De Rust or to buyers who collect at a central point.

No animals are sold directly from the farm for safety and biosecurity reasons.