Starting a beef cattle fattening business in Mzansi can be lucrative, but only if the entrepreneur is well-versed in the ins and outs of the operation.
Dieketseng Lesako, a consultant at Free State-based GrowthShoot Cattle Investors, joins us this week to discuss how commercialised farmers can set up their feedlots.
Research is your starting block
Lesako stresses the need of knowing which livestock breeds you plan to feed in your feedlot, as some breeds are not suited to or have difficulty adapting to the conditions. She also explains that farmers should learn about the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and cholesterol-related disorders that typically affect animals in feedlots.
“You need to understand what the diseases are and how to control them; you need to have vaccines in place. You also have to have medicine in place, because sometimes even if you have been vaccinated, some animals still get infected.”
Lesako says that dust is a major contributor to respiratory illnesses. As a result, it’s necessary to establish a landfill some distance from animal housing.
Animal health
Illnesses are not limited to humans; animals can experience them as well. This means that farmers need a backup plan. According to Lesako, the most effective approach to prevent this is to stick to established protocols when building your structure.
“Seek advice from those who came before you. There are farmers that are currently setting up feedlots at their farms. You can go and seek advice from them.”
Lesako adds that knowing the distance to veterinary services in case your animals get sick, road conditions and assessing animal transport affordability, is also important.
In this episode, Lesako discusses:
- The gradual rise of the feedlots business in this setting;
- The benefits and drawbacks of owning feedlots; and
- The relationship between beef farmers and abattoirs.
Want to know more? Listen to the full episode of Farmer’s Inside Track.
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Option 3: Click here to listen on Google Podcast.
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