en watter hulpmiddels tot die bemarker se beskikking is, beantwoord. Die stoetteler se grootstse opposisie is sy mede stoettelers, het Loubser gesê. Die volgende praktiese onderwerpe is gedemonstreer en het die teoretiese gedeelte van die werkswinkel gerugsteun: Legendariese bulle in die bedryf: Rooi dr Tok Serfontein; Wit Sietze Smit Voeding Teelkudde en skou-afronding: Johan Mouton van Molatek/Epol Gehaltestandaarde vir Suid-Afrikaanse en ingevoerde semen: Henk van der Laarse Die waarde van embrio- en in-vitro-oorplasings: Dr Neil van Zyl Gesondheidsbestuur van u stoetkudde: Dr Gerhardt Scheepers Hoefmeganika prakties: Johan Hoewe Brand- en tatoeëermerke: Llewellyn Labuschagne Ideale fasiliteite vir die stoetteler: Llewellyn Labuschagne Skou en seleksie van u skoustring paneelbespreking: Heinrich Bruwer en Rohan Beukes OPKOMENDE BOEREDAG Op 4 Augustus is n geslaagde inligtingsdag vir Opkomende Boere uit die Taung-omgewing gehou op die plaas van Mnr Sydney Hunt, Warrenton. Ongeveer 40 opkomende boere het bygewoon. Lubern Voere het n insiggewende lesing oor voervloei beplanning en veldbestuur gelewer. Na n inligtingsessie oor die seleksie van Brahmanteeldiere is n praktiese demonstrasie gehou. Heelwat vrae is gevra oor Bulseleksie, maar ook oor die prys van goeie teelbulle. Serowe Botswana Lady Power Reserwe Groot Kampioen De Rust Brahman 81
Opleidingsdae BEGINNERS BEOORDELAARSKURSUS 6/7 OKTOBER 2015 Kursus bewys Ras belangstelling Telanie Strydom Vaalrivier Brahman Klub het n Opleidings- en Beginnners Beoordelaarskursus aangebied op 6 en 7 Oktober 2015. Riaan Theron, voorsitter van Vaalrivier Brahman Klub en sy vrou Helena het hul plaas naby Vredefort tot beskikking gestel vir die geleentheid, asook vir die onthaal van gaste, verversings en etes. Navrae het ingestroom rondom die bywoning van die kursus, maar ongelukkig was die plekke vinnig gevul. Mans en vroue van n wye verskeidenheid ouderdomsgroepe het die kursus bygewoon. Mense van sover as Zimbabwe en Tulbagh was ondermeer van die kursusgangers. Na aanleiding van belangstelling, resultate en borge kan die kursus as uiters suksesvol beskryf word. Beoordeelaars wat die geleentheid aangebied het was ondermeer, Dr Tok Serfontein, Burnie Staal en Sietze Smit. Nege beesklasse was onder beoordeling, wat bestaan het uit, rooi en wit Brahmane, asook haltermak- en nie haltermak diere. Dertig kursusgangers het aan die lippe gehang van die aanbieders, opinies is gelug, vrae is beantwoord en almal het of hulle kennis rondom die Brahman ras verbeter, of nuwe kennis opgedoen. Ek glo elkeen wat die kursus bygewoon het kon iets saam vat huis toe om in sy eie kudde te gaan toepas en sodoende sy kudde te verbeter verduidelik Telanie Stydom, n lid van die Vaalrivier Brahman Klub en mede organiseerder. Attie Koen en Ewald Loggenberg het gesamentlik die beste gevaar op die kursus. Die Beginners Beoordeelaarskursus is dus geslaag deur 9 persone naamlik: Glaudine-Mari Straus, Attie Koen, Glenda Koen, Ewald Loggenberg, Karla van Schalkwyk, Harley van Rhyn, Telanie Strydom, Francois Briers en Sikkie Straus. Die Brahman Ras gaan nou n nuwe era in, let daarop dat 5 uit die 9 geslaagdes, vroue is. 82
LANDBOUSKOLE Opleiding JACOBSDAL: 36 bygewoon JAN KEMPDORP: 22 bygewoon Die jaarlikse Landbouskole opleiding het plaasgevind op 5 en 6 Augustus te Sydneys Hope. Landbouleerlinge in beide skole is toegerus met basiese kennis om die sterkpunte van die Brahmanras en die ras se aanpassingsvermoë in droë klimaatstoestande. n Praktiese sessie is albei dae gedoen waarna n toets geskryf is. Die jaarlikse instelling is n hoogtepunt vir die leerlinge van beide skole. Lubbe Jacobs van Lubern Voere het die dae geborg. JACOBSDAL JAN KEMPDORP VAALRIVIER Opleiding Die groot krokodil 83
Road Shows 4 Road Shows is hierdie jaar gehou en Promosie, Opleiding, Rasverbetering is onder andere bespreek Vryburg (Vryburg Skougronde) - 24 Maart 2015 Ons dank aan Noord-Kaap klub wat dit georganiseer het. Persone bygewoon: 25 Pretoria (The Farm Inn) - 9 April 2015 Persone bygewoon: 33 Bergville, KwaZulu-Natal (Dalmore Guest Farm) - 8 Mei 2015 Ons dank aan Ting Braithwaite en familie vir die borgskap vir hierdie dag. Persone bygewoon: 17 Potchefstroom (Jan Serfontein Boerdery) - 20 Mei 2015 Ons dank aan Serfbred vir die borgskap vir hierdie dag. Persone bygewoon: 26 Ons dank vir u ondersteuning en bywoning! 84
6 de BRAFORD Wêreldkongres uitstalling Sietze Smit Die buitelanders, kongresgangers, veral die groot groep Argentiniërs was baie beïndruk met die kwaliteit van ons S.A. Brahman-diere. Die Braford Beestelersgenootskap het gedurende die week van 17 19 Maart hul Wêreldkongres aangebied. Die Brahmanbeestelersgenootskap is gevra om n statiese uitstalling te doen. Vanaf 18 19 Maart is die uitstalling gehou op die plaas Bonhaven, Ferpa Cullinan distrik. Ons bedank die telers wat hoë kwaliteit diere vir die geleentheid verskaf het. - Lood en Ida Lesch het n pragtige rooi vers en jong bul verskaf. - Jannes en Johan Drotsky het n funksionele wit koei met n ewe mooi verskalf gebring. - Gerrie Roos het vir ons sy bul GNF12-12 gestuur. Corrie Labuschagne was saam met my betrokke om die stalletjie te beman. Dankie aan al die telers wat ook gehelp het met die verkope van promosie artikels. Die buitelanders, kongresgangers, veral die groot groep Argentiniërs was baie beïndruk met die kwaliteit van ons S.A. Brahman-diere. Een se spesifieke kommentaar was dat hy verras is dat ons sulke hoë kwaliteit diere het, met min tot geen Amerikaanse genetika in hul stambome nie. Die bekende Mnr Jan de Jongh het in n praktiese demonstrasie sessie, die Brahman uitstalling geloof vir die hoë kwalteit diere wat vertoon was. Noord-Kaapse vleisboere BEKYK MARK, VERBRUIKERS SE BEHOEFTES Die Rooivleisprodusente-organisasie (RPO) in die Noord-Kaap het op sy kongres in Kimberley gekyk na die bedryf se plasing binne die mark met verwysing na die verbruiker se behoeftes Die Noord-Kaap se beste veediefstaleenheid was vanjaar die een op Springbok. Regs is adjudantoffisier Karel du Toit, bevelvoerder wat die RPO se wisseltrofee ontvang het. By hom is van links, mnr Joe Scholtz, voorsitter van die Noord-Kaapse veediefstalforum (Brahman teler), maj. Angelo Kohl, bevelvoerder van die veediefstaleenheid op De Aar wat namens adjudant-offisier Francois Gilbert die prys vir die beste individuele ondersoekbeampte ontvang het, en mnr Willie Clack, voorsitter van die veediefstalforum. 85
KEURKAARTE & KEUR van diere saam met telers/eienaar Corrie Labuschagne Mnr Wayne Porter (Hoof van Opleiding) en Corrie Labuschagne, in samewerking met Burnie Staal, Dr Tok Serfontein en Llewellyn Labuschagne het die Keurkaat verfyn, aangepas en gebruikersvriendelik gemaak. n Engelse keurkaart word vir maklike verwysing ingevoeg. HOE GEBRUIK ONS DIE KEURKAART? Die eienaar met n vriend (Brahmanteler) en Rasadviseur (Beoordelaar) gebruik albei die Keurkaart tydens die evaluering/keuring. Die dier word ingebring en dan word die dier deur die Rasadviseur en teler volgens die onderskeie hoofde soos op die Keurkaart uiteengesit bespreek en gepunt. Diere word afgekeur wanneer alle partye saam besluit dat een van die hoofde n een punt, of twee twee punte, of drie drie punte behaal het. Indien die dier beter presteer as bogenoemde kry hy goedkeuring en is gekeur. Die voltooide Keurkaart word aan die einde van die dag deur die Rasadviseur geteken, afskrifte word vir die teler gemaak, waarna dit dan deur die Adviseur na die Genootskap gestuur word. Sodra die Genootskap die getekende Keurkaarte ontvang het, word die stelsel dienooreenkomstig aangepas. Die stelsel werk uitstekend, is gebruikersvriendelik en maak telers uiters krities oor sy beeste. Hierdie keuringsproses word ook aan hand van u farm report gedoen wat deur die Genootskap voorsien word. Dit bied die teler dus die geleenteheid om ook sy rekordsisteem, soos onder andere TKP ( days to calving ) op datum te kry en waar daar probleme voorkom, dit maklik te identifiseer en reg te stel. Die eerste vier kuddes in die land is deur Llewellyn en Corrie Labuschagne gekeur nl: Willem & Adri Barnard = totale kudde Louis Trichardt = totale kudde Solly Ferreira = alle jong diere Pieter Meiring = totale kudde In totaal ongeveer 500 diere gekeur in vier dae. Baie geluk aan bogenoemde telers wat dadelik ingekoop het in die nuwe sisteem. U ongelooflike betrokkenheid in u kuddes, die wyse waarop u bees vir bees objektief saam met die Adviseurs ge-evalueer het, was n riem onder die hart. Graag moedig ons telers aan om so spoedig moontlik die stelsel in u kuddes te implementeer. Rasadviseurs is in elke Streek aangewys. U is welkom om met u onderskeie Streekverteenwoordiger te skakel om so n keuring te reël. 86
INSPECTION CARDS & INSPECTION of animals together with breeders/owners Corrie Labuschagne Mr Wayne Porter (Head of Training) and Corrie Labuschagne, in cooperation with Burnie Staal, Dr Tok Serfontein and Llewellyn Labuschagne streamlined and adapted the Inspection card and made it more consumer friendly. An inspection card is provided for ease of reference. HOW DO WE USE THE INSPECTION CARD? The owner together with a friend (Brahman breeder) and the Breed Advisor (Judge) use both inspection cards during the evaluation\inspection. The animal is brought in whereupon it is discussed and pointed by both the Breed Advisor and the breeder in accordance with the headings on the inspection card. Animals are culled by a unanimous decision of all parties involved when one of the headings is awarded only one point; two two points; three three points. If an animal performs better than above it is approved. At the end of the day the completed inspection card is signed by the Breed Advisor, copies are furnished to the breeder whereafter the Advisor sends it to the Society. On receipt of the signed Inspection Card the Society s system is adapted accordingly. This system is very effective, consumer friendly and teaches breeders to critically evaluate their cattle. It is furthermore done at the hand of your farm report which is provided by the Society. It affords the breeder the opportunity to update his records ie ICP and to identify problems and rectify same. The first four herds in the country were inspected by Llewellyn and Corrie Labuschagne ie Willem & Adri Barnard = total herd Louis Trichardt = total herd Solly Ferreira = all young animals Pieter Meiring = total herd In total almost 500 animals inspected in 4 days. Congratulations to the above breeders that immediately bought into the new system. Your unbelievable involvement in your herds, the way in which you objectively evaluated your animals, one by one, together with the Advisor is heartening indeed. We wish to encourage breeders to implement this system in their herds as soon as possible. Breed advisors were appointed in each region and you are most welcome to contact them to make arrangements for your inspection. 88
BRAHMAN BREEDERS ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH AFRICA SCORECARD Owner: Date of Inspection: Examiner: Member No: Signature Examiner: ID DATE OF GENDER CONDITION E/M/L CAPACITY SCROTUM NAVEL SHEATH UDDER/ LEGS/HOOVES SCTRUCTURAL SOUNDNESS DOCI- APPEA- GENERAL/ DISQUA- BIRTH FRAME (CAP) CIRCUM- SPOUT & SHAPE TEATS LITY RANCE PASS LIFICATION SIZE FURENCE (SN) FRONT HIND HEAD FRONT MIDDLE HIND SCORE Description; Registration; Classification; Other:... Key to Symbols: DOB.: Date of Birth LEGS/HOOVES: Legs and Hooves GENERAL: General Appearance SEX: Sex CON: ConditionTYPE: E=Early mature;m=medium; L=Late mature CAP: Length,Depth and Breadth of body,spring of Rip,Muscling 1 x 1 = SH: Sheaths in bulls or Navel Flap in females 2 x 2 = STRUCTUAL SOUNDNESS: Head; (Masculinity, Femininity) Fore quarter/middle/hind quarter 3 x 3 = 89
Agri-Expo SANDRINGHAM STELLENBOSCH (Oktober 2015) Willem Verhoef Die eksklusiewe Landbouskou het volgens media kringe goue status ontvang vir die mooi geriewe en aandag aan detail. Die Brahman is verteenwoordig deur Willem Verhoef, Riaan Theron en Jan Van Zyl wat ook as gasspreker opgetree het. Topgehalte diere is die afgelope naweek gekroon as wenners in die onderskeie raskampioenskappe wat tydens die eerste Agri-Expo Livestock op Sandringham aangebied is. Die kwaliteit van die inskrywings was van uitstaande gehalte en die beoordelaars het n moeilike taak gehad om die kampioene vir die suiwel- en rooivleisklasse aan te wys. Die Holstein en Ayrshire beeste wat ek by Agri-Expo Livestock gesien het, is van ongelooflike gehalte en die beste wat ek nóg in Suid-Afrika gesien het, sê Herman Duvenage, Rasdirekteur van SA Holstein. Die aanbieding van die raskampioenskappe is van wêreldgehalte en dit is n uitstekende vertoonvenster van die veebedryf. Ons kan enige dag op internasionale vlak kompeteer. Johan Ehlers, Hoof Uitvoerende Beampte van Agri-Expo, is hoogs tevrede met die terugvoer wat van besoekers en deelnemers ontvang is. Dis n riem onder die hart dat internasionale besoekers van onder andere Italië, Duitsland en Amerika so beïndruk is met Agri-Expo Livestock. Die aanbieding is die ideale geleentheid om Suid-Afrika se standaard en kwaliteit met die res van die wêreld te meet en ons het die afgelope naweek bevestiging gekry dat ons inderdaad met die bestes in die wêreld kan meeding. 90
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2015 NAMPO Die week 11 16 Mei 2015 was weer die jaarlikse Nampo-uitstalling. n Woord van dank aan telers wat ons weer ondersteun het, met die beskikbaarstelling van hoë kwaliteit diere vir die uitstalruimte asook die wat ons besoek het en n woord gewissel het. As in ag geneem word dat bykans 60 000 mense deur die hekke beweeg, bevestig dit die promosie waarde wat goeie voorbeelde van ons RAS bied. Telanie Strydom en Gawie Coetzee het funksionele vroulik en goed bespierde manlike diere vertoon. Gawie Coetzee het ook in die beeste uitstalling Simbra diere naamlik n koei met kalf, en n jong vers vertoon. Baie dankie vir die moeite wat julle doen en die Brahman Ras op so n geleentheid te bemark. Die Genootskap was verteenwoordig deur Sietze Smit en Willem Scholtz (student). n Groot dankie aan Mev Wilma van Zyl (Sekretaresse Platinum Klub) wat gedurende die hele week die stalletjie help beman het, dankie ook aan Hendrik van Zyl. Stephan Coetzee (Noord-Wes verteenwoordiger) dankie vir n ondersteunende rol deur seker te maak dat alles glad verloop. 92
dbase Training Theresa Steenekamp more than 774 000 records and each record contains 447 characters. The extract from the ILR2 program runs for more than 8 hours and the size of the raw file is almost 332MB. With this training we can now extract any kind of information from the database for our research and statistical calculations. Since On the 24th of July this year, 16 officials of the Breedplan Societies circled the wagons to try and master the old technology of dbase. Easier said than done First we needed to find computers running operating systems before Windows 7 to install the program (which was surprisingly hard). But that done, we squeezed into the Brahman Boardroom for a few hours, Breed Directors and all! Our lecturer was Dr Mike Fair from the University of the Free State and I would like to think that he succeeded in educating us sufficiently in the basics of dbase. The rationale for this venture was the manipulation of each breed s complete data file. For example, in Aug 2015 the total database for SA Brahman contained the existing reports on the ILR2 system are set in specific formats, the total database extract (flat file) was invented to allow a bit more flexibility for unusual calculations. Thank you Dr Fair and well done to all the attendees! Best Brahman on Vryheid Fatstock Show Second and third place oxen over 450 kg and heaviest A grade at 633kg WINNER: RENZO TRUST LOOD VAN RENSBURG 93
OPLEIDING van telers Corrie Labuschagne TRAINING of breeders DOEL: Om telers te bemagtig om self hulle eie kuddes te kan keur om sodoende hulle kuddes se standaard te verbeter. Om hulle self verder te bemagtig om die regte diere te kan uitskot, maar terselfdertyd ook die diere wat deel van die basis kudde vorm, te kan identifiseer. METODE: n Dier word in die ring ingebring. Elkeen wat deel is van die Opleidingsdag punt die dier volgens die Keurkaart. Daarna bespreek ons die betrokke dier punt vir punt saam en leer elke teler of hy te streng of dalk nie streng genoeg optree tydens die punte toekenning nie. Ons leer almal bymekaar en so bou ons n samehorigheidsgevoel op tussen telers. Ons raak ook almal meer krities teenoor ons eie diere. As aanbieders van die kursusse in die ondergenoemde streke kan Llewellyn en myself nie genoeg praat oor die ongelooflike positiewe deelname van elke teler wat hierdie onderskeie kursusse bygewoon het nie. Ons het bymekaar geleer, respek vir mekaar gekry en nuwe vriendskapsbande gesmeë. Baie dankie aan Willem en Adri Barnard, wat in Limpopo Streek die eerste van hierdie kursusse aangebied het. 33 Mense het met oorgawe hierdie kursus van heinde en verre kom bywoon. Selfs toe die reën op ons begin uitsak en ons inderhaas n skuur moes soek om met die dag se verrigtinge voort te gaan het dit nie die geesdrif gedemp nie. PURPOSE: To empower breeders by providing them with the necessary knowledge to inspect their own herds and in so doing to improve the standard of their herds; to teach them to identify animals which would form the basis of the herd and to cull those that do not conform to the minimum standard. METHOD: An animal is brought into the ring whereupon all those present would point the relevant animal in accordance with the inspection card. The animal is then discussed point by point in order for breeders to determine whether their points allocation were correct or not ie too stringent or not strict enough. We learn from each other, we bond as breeders and become more critical when evaluating our own animals. As presenters of these courses in the various regions Llewellyn and I were impressed with the positive input from all breeders that attended; we learned from each other, we came to respect each other and cemented new friendships. Thank you to Willem and Adri Barnard that presented the first course of this kind in Limpopo. It was attended by 33 breeders that came from far and wide. Not even the sudden rain that started falling could dampen the enthusiasm with which all participated in this event. Thereafter we visited Riaan and Helena Theron in the Free State region where 34 people pitched up to our delight. We once again realised that our breeders 94
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Daarna het ons by Riaan en Helena Theron van die Vrystaat Streek gaan kuier. Groot was ons verbasing met n opkoms van ongeveer 34 persone. Weereens het ons tot die besef gekom dat ons telers graag wil leer en hulle betrokkenheid by die dag was n riem onder die hart. Selfs telers van ander rasse het hierdie aksie bygewoon en baie belangstelling in die ras getoon en spontaan aan die dag se Keurkaart plasings deelgeneem. Burnie Staal wat een van ons Rasadviseurs is het waardevolle bydraes gemaak tydens die praktiese evaluerings, waarby ons almal kon leer. Volgende aan die beurt was Noord-Wes Streek waar Stephan en Hannelie, tesame met Renier en James Hamilton ons welkom laat voel het. Weereens was die verbasing groot met n opkoms van 35 mense wat die Opleidingsdag bygewoon het. Hier was ons bevoorreg om te deel in die kundigheid van Dr Tok en Stefan Serfontein wat die dag met die aanbieding kom help het. Jan Serfontein het ook n bietjie met ons gesels oor die Breedplan syfers en die belang daarvan in n kudde. Ons kan nie anders as om met dankbaarheid te staan en te besef dat ons die voorreg het as stoettelers om te leer by mense soos Dr Tok Serfontein, Llewellyn Labuschagne en Burnie Staal. Om weereens te besef dat die kennis van hierdie persone van onskatbare waarde is en dat ons nie genoegsame erkenning daaraan gee nie. Dankie aan almal wat die moeite gedoen het om die Opleidingsdae by te woon. Nogmaals dankie vir ons Streeksverteenwoordigers vir hulle bydraes om van die dag n sukses te maak. Graag moedig ons telers aan om in te skakel by die Opleidingsaksies wat in u streek aangebied word. Graag wil ons u ook uitnooi om met ons te skakel indien daar so n behoefte sou ontstaan. Belangrik is dat ons tot die besef moet kom dat hierdie Opleidingskursusse nie net vir die stoetteler is nie, maar dat almal in die bedryf daarby baat sal vind. are hungry for knowledge and their involvement in the day was heartening to watch. Even breeders of other breeds attended this event and showed much interest in the breed spontaneously doing placings on the inspection cards. One of our Breed Advisors, Burnie Staal rendered valuable contributions during practical evaluation from which we can all learn a great deal. Next was North West region where Stephan and Hannelie, together with Renier and James Hamilton welcomed us. Again we were surprised at the attendance of 35. We were privileged to have with us Dr Tok and Stefan Serfontein that assisted with the presentations and Jan Serfontein talked about Breedplan figures and the importance thereof in a herd. We are indeed blessed to be able to learn from the likes of Dr Tok Serfontein, Llewellyn Labuschagne and Burnie Staal. Their knowledge and experience is invaluable and more prominent acknowledgement should be given thereto. Thanks to all for making the effort to attend. Thank you to our Regional Representatives for making the arrangements and to ensure the success of these events. Please become part of these training sessions in your region and contact us at any time should you wish to. It is important to note that these training sessions would benefit all in the industry and not only the stud breeders. 97
SERNICK Philip Oosthuizen precision finishing project Since May 20, 2015 selected young Brahman bulls were taken in for an experiment at the Sernick Feedlot. These animals had to conform to the following stringent requirements: a) Only registered animals in a radius of 150km b) Only from registered sires c) Between 180 and 250kg d) Representative of both white and red Members that made animals available for the project are: Matopi Stoet Pty Ltd (Sas le Roux) Strydom Brahmane (Gerhardus & Telanie Strydom) WW Hattingh Gerbet Trust (Gerhard Visser) Serfontein Boerdery (Jan & Carla Serforntein) HJ Human We would like to thank these members for their generous support of the Breed to further research and development from which all members may benefit. An information day on Precision Finishing was presented on September 29 at the Sernick Feedlot, the purpose not only being to introduce the industry to the Precision Finishing project but also to afford various role players in the beef industry the opportunity to become au faith with the concept of precision farming. This subject normally elicits various opinions and perspectives and it is therefore necessary to consider all such perspectives when researching this aspect. Various speakers, all specialists in their fields, addressed the guests present on the application of their subject fields with regard to precision finishing and beef production in general. Guests that attended ranged from beef producers, upcoming farmers, feedlots, processors 98
and marketers all with their unique perspective and expectations in respect of an ever growing and prospering beef industry. Speakers were as follows: Mr Nick Serfontein, founder and owner of the Sernick group who dealt with all the commercial branches of Sernick as well as his phylosophy to run an integrated company successfully. Mr Phillip Oosthuizen of the Department Agricultural Economics, UFS, who explained the precision finishing project from the selection of experimental animals to the economical concept which powers the study. The lecture of Prof Arno Hugo, UFS, Food Science Department and expert in the field of fresh red meat research dealt with various factors that influence meat quality and the importance of differentiation that changes a commodity to a product. Mr Albert Loubser, co founder and owner of Farm Publishing which includes Veeplaas, Stockfarm and Farmbiz magazines who stressed the importance of the marketing of various beef breeds and meat products. International and local visits and discussions pointed to the fact that the SA meat industry will have to shift its focus more to marketing instead of only production. Prof Johan Willemse, well known agri economist of the department of Agricuiltural Economics at the UFS dealt with various aspects of feedlot economics, meat grading, traceability, consumer information and industry projections. He specifically focussed on future planning by producers and adjustments that will have to be made. He left the audience with some important food for thought and opportunities to be considered. Following from on the lectures a facility tour was presented for the guests to visit the exhibits and enjoy lunch. A very interesting and informative day indeed; heartening also to note the level of cooperation between the various role players all in the interests of the SA beef industry. Introduction and Background of the Project The South African feedlot industry is under pressure due to fluctuations in mainly feed cost and carcass price (Maré, et al. 2010). Feedlots have little bargaining power with the purchasing of feed and therefore their profitability is unstable and risky. High maize and feed price will decrease profits and affect profitability due to a small profit margin (Langemeier, et al. 1992). Therefore feed intake and feed conversion has to be effective and efficient to justify the feed price and weight gain. There are several variable factors influencing the profitability of a cattle feedlot namely feed price, carcass price, and maize prices which had the most impact on profit variability over time (Langemeieret al., 1992). Thus production methods and management has to be efficient in order to ensure profitability and feedlot sustainability. A debate occurred in the feedlot industry regarding the selection and classification of cattle and cattle breeds in terms of genetic potential to grow and perform. Breeds of beef cattle differ significantly in growth rate of fat, lean meat and bone (Koch, et al. 1976). Strydom, et al. (2008) stated that weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion and dressing percentage differ significantly between feeding periods as well as between breed types. Mason et al., (1971) added that breeds have different growth potential and has to be managed according to their genetic potential. In order to utilize the genetic potential to grow and generate profit, specific feedlot feeding periods will be necessary to accommodate each breed and utilize the 99
breed s maximum genetic potential. Amer, et al. (1994a) showed that profit maximization was a more appropriate slaughter criterion for comparing beef genotypes than constant age, weight, or composition feeding periods. In the current commercial feedlot practice cattle of different breeds are divided in performance groups, which are fed for a predetermined and constant feeding period to produce a market acceptable carcass. The aim of this study is to determine the profit maximizing feeding period (PMFP) for different breed types by using their unique production potential and applicable economic values. An alternative PMFP is determined when variation in carcass price, feed price and dressing percentage occur. Methodology The Decision Support Model is designed in Microsoft Excel to inform feedlots regarding the profit maximizing feeding period (PMFP) for different breed types. The model is based on growth and feed intake data of a specific breed type which will be the foundation of the model. Economic value of the weight gain and feed intake will be incorporated into the model as well as the dressing percentage. By incorporating values for each week s weight gain and feed intake, VMP and MFC can be calculated by the model. The following formulas and data will be used to determine VMP and MFC. VMP = Weight gain (kg) / week Dressing % Carcass price (Rand)/kg (1) MFC = Feed intake (kg) / week {Feed price (Rand)/ kg + Production cost (Rand)/kg} (2) Total Profit Margin = {Live Weight (kg) Dressing % Carcass price (Rand)} {Total feed intake (kg) Feed price (Rand)}(3) Profit is maximized where VMP is equal to MFC, weekly profit margin is zero and total profit margin is at a maximum. The model determines the PMFP according to these requirements. Alternative feeding periods can be determined by the model when changes in dressing percentage, feed price and carcass price occur for different breed types. Results The official project ending will be in December 2015 due to results pending from the post mortem meat quality testing. However the results promise to be significant and can make a contribution to the breed s future development, production methods and marketing in particular. Expected results include, individual and group growth curves, group feed intake curves, feed conversion ratio s, dressing percentage, rib and rump fat deposition curves, meat tenderness after slaughter and after aging period of 14 days and lastly the marbling. These results will be generated for seven different breeds which represent seven different breed types used in South Africa. The results will be used to calculate feedlot feeding periods to pursue maximum profit. The post mortem tests results can be used in marketing by differentiating the product and can make a potential contribution to a new meat classification system in South Africa. Conclusion The main objectives and potential of this project is use to each breed s unique potential and characteristics to promote the breed and develop specific production and marketing methods to accommodate the breed. Precision Feedlotting @ Sernick Industry Day, 29 September 2015. Speakers: Mr Nick Serfontein (Sernick group), Mr Phillip Oosthuizen (Agricultural Economics, UFS), Prof Arno Hugo (Food Sciences, UFS), Mr Albert Loubser (Stock Farm), Prof Johan Willemse (Agricultural Economics, UFS). A summary of all the presentations: Use production potential and production economics to maximize profit. Differentiate your commodity to a product and keep factors in mind which affect meat quality. Ensure sufficient attention to marketing of your product. Emphasis on future planning and adjustment of your livestock enterprise to ensure profitability and sustainability. Precision farming in the livestock industry is an opportunity with great potential which we as industry partners have to utilize in order to ensure a profitable and sustainable livestock industry in South Africa. Phillip Oosthuizen. University of the Free State. Department of Agricultural Economics. Unit in Livestock Economics. B.Sc.Agric Agricultural Economics & Animal Science. B.Sc.Agric Honors- Agricultural Economics. Email: phil.oosthuizen@gmail.com 100