In KZN, livestock producer Siyabonga Mbatha is proving that precision nutrition equals profit. Managing a diverse herd of cattle, sheep, and goats, he relies on a strategic range of Voermol products to hit a strict 7:1 feed conversion ratio.
In the sweeping farming landscapes of Dundee, KwaZulu-Natal, Siyabonga Mbatha is cementing a high-performance legacy. Managing a diverse operation of 200 head of livestock – including Brahman cattle, Dorper sheep, and Boer goats – Mbatha balances his hands-on role as a livestock producer with intensive feedlot management.
However, running a multi-species enterprise and maintaining a consistent commercial throughput requires precision nutrition to meet demanding production targets.
To achieve this, Mbatha relies on a comprehensive range of Voermol products: Voermol SB 100 (V4498), Voermol Supermol (V7267), and Voermol Procon 33 (V12701), alongside targeted seasonal licks such as Voermol Premix 450 (V4676), Protein Block (V10448), and Sheep and Goat Protein Lick (V32939). Together, they form the structural backbone of his intensive feeding and finishing programme.
“Voermol has always been part of us,” Mbatha explains. “I think the person who played a major role in strengthening the relationship between farmers and Voermol is Bongani Mbongwa. His dedication to his work has earned Voermol a mark in being part of us.”
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Strategic genetics and feedlot efficiency
The on-farm relationship has yielded undeniable commercial dividends. Mbatha’s relationship with Voermol spans eight years on the farm, and the data highlights a stark contrast in performance indicators.
“There’s really a big difference,” he notes. “Before, we used to wean at 190kg. Now we are weaning at 220kg. Voermol SB 100 and Voermol Procon 33 are the best.”
Alongside high-performance nutrition, the operation relies on a disciplined feedlot model where animal genetics and strict nutritional targets converge. Mbatha currently runs a medium-scale feedlot operation, finishing 100 weaners every 120 days.
To maximise the financial returns of the feedlot, the choice of breed is paramount. Mbatha focuses heavily on animals inherently built for growth and carcass quality.
“Our pen period is three months, 120 days maximum,” Mbatha explains. “But in order to achieve maximum results, the breed we use also plays a very important role. We focus on the Brahman breed and Angus; we also have crossbreeds between Brahman and Angus that are the Brangus.”
Mastering the feed conversion ratio
The ultimate metric of success in any intensive beef finishing operation sits squarely on the scale. Pushing animals through the production cycle efficiently relies heavily on high-palatability nutrition that drives intake.
“We use a lot of Voermol SB 100 in finishing cattle for the market,” Mbatha says. “Why Voermol SB 100 over other fattening concentrates or feeds? It improves weight gain and feed conversion, and most importantly, it is highly palatable because it is molasses-based.”
In a high-stakes feedlot environment, keeping input costs manageable means monitoring the feed conversion ratio (FCR), the measure of how many kilograms of feed an animal must consume to gain a single kilogram of body mass. This is where Voermol SB 100 gives producers a distinct financial advantage; its highly digestible formulation ensures that every kilogram of feed input translates directly into red meat rather than waste.
“Feed conversion ratio is very important,” Mbatha emphasises. “A lower FCR is better because it means less feed is needed to produce each kilogram of weight gain, which usually improves profitability. Rule number one: FCR has to be 7:1 or lower.”
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