WGM Brahmans: Harnessing hybrid vigour

If Willie Marais' good friend hadn't needed money for an engagement ring, the WGM Brahman stud might never have existed.

- By Andries Gouws

Without that pivotal moment, Willie wouldn't have been able to dream of hosting his own production auction, where he would sell top-quality Brahmans and sought-after in-calf Brahman cross cows with calves at foot.

Johan Wiese, in need of funds to buy the engagement ring, sold Willie a few exceptional speckled red Brahman heifers. These heifers became the foundation of a stud that has since grown to around 150 breeding cows. Willie initially used Braunvieh bulls in his commercial herd before transitioning to Hereford bulls. Now, he plans to introduce a third pure breed into his crossbreeding system.

From producer to breeder

After completing his matric exams, Willie had no time for holidaying - it was planting season on his father Johan and grandfather Willie's farms, and he had to step in immediately. Farm work was demanding, and he quickly learned that holidays and Saturdays were valuable opportunities to catch up on tasks left unfinished during the week.

Over time, he also took on the responsibility of managing his grandfather and father’s Brahman herds, which deepened his passion for cattle, especially the Brahman breed. In 2005, his father helped him and his brothers, Johan and Henko, to acquire their first cattle, marking the start of their own journey in the industry.

In 2016, he sold his commercial cattle and invested in registered Brahmans, which was the beginning of his stud farm’s growth. During this time, he received invaluable guidance from successful breeders, including Adri Barnard of Wilbar Brahmans in Limpopo. “Adri encouraged me to take pride in my cattle, believe in their potential, and understand that the effort | put in would directly influence the results,” Willie remarks.