Strong bulls, fertile cows, healthy calves. Linda Mthalane’s cattle farm is thriving thanks to Voermol Premix 450.
When Linda Mthalane traded her career in hospitality for the pastures of Dundee, KwaZulu-Natal, she stepped into unfamiliar terrain. Farming wasn’t part of her original plan, but when the Covid-19 pandemic reshaped her future, she invested her savings into her husband’s family business.
Today, she runs Nkonyane Yenkosi Farming (Pty) Ltd, managing about 200 breeding cattle – Simbra and pure Brahman – that are so well-raised some feedlots bypass auctions just to buy directly from her.
Yet, behind this success lies a story of lessons learned and bold decisions.
“The first thing that pushed us to take supplement feeding more seriously was the condition of our bulls at the end of winter,” she recalls.
“They struggled to bounce back in time for the mating season, and that affected the entire production cycle. When your bulls aren’t at full strength, fertility drops, and suddenly you’re short on calves for the season.”
Discovering Voermol’s Premix 450
Faced with the need for a solution, Mthalane turned to Voermol’s Premix 450 in 2024. The protein lick soon became the backbone of her feeding programme, designed to sustain her herd through the toughest months.
Her system is meticulous and consistent. After harvesting yellow maize on the cob, it is crushed and mixed with a concentrate like Voermol SB 100. This mixture serves as a production supplement for her cattle from June to October. The cattle are fed the mixture in tyres daily, with access to enough roughage bales, which are placed in rings.
Additionally, warm molasses is poured over the bales to encourage intake. To monitor results effectively, she always gradually introduces new supplements to the bulls first.
“We always start with the bulls,” Mthalane says. “They don’t have factors like pregnancy or lactation influencing their weight, so we can see the results clearly. Within five weeks of using Premix 450, their strength and behaviour changed. They were eager to leave the camp and re-join the herd – that was our sign the product was working.”
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Strength, fertility, and shiny coats
What followed was a transformation across the herd. Bulls built the strength needed for the breeding season, lactating cows produced more milk, and calves maintained condition even in winter.
“With Premix 450, our herd stays in shape all year. The bulls are stronger, fertility improves, and we believe it even supports semen production. Our cows keep their condition, and the calves are healthy. When people come to our farm, even at the end of winter, they find shiny coats and fat animals. That’s what we pride ourselves on.”
The benefits didn’t stop there. The ready-to-use formulation of Premix 450 also reduced labour demands, making daily feeding simpler and more efficient.
“It saves us on labour. We don’t have to mix maize, molasses, and other things. Everything is already in the bag. That’s a big win for us.”
A formula she won’t change
Perhaps the most significant result for Mthalane has been predictability and preparedness. With the herd consistently in top condition, her business has gained a competitive edge.
“Whether we’re culling, weaning, or selling at auction, our animals are always market-ready,” she says. “We don’t have to rush to fatten them before buyers arrive. That consistency is everything.”
For Mthalane, supplement feeding with Premix 450 is no longer optional; it’s central to her operation.
“The condition of your animals in winter determines your success in summer. Using Premix 450 is top priority for us – it’s one of the most important parts of our operation. It works like a charm, and it’s a formula we are not willing to change.”
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