25 Jul 2024

Mr Heinne Schutte, who specialises in breeding dopers and boer goats has retained the grand champ of the yard under the sheep category, the championship he held for the past two years. 

The decorated grand champ of the yard scooped junior champ ram, senior champ ram, res senior champ ewe and res grand champ ewe.

In an interview with BOPA, the passionate small stock farmer from Matlhakeng, in the peripheries of Metlojane in the Barolong region, said he ventured into the small stock industry in 2012. 

In order to expand his horizons in small stock farming, he attended and participated in different agricultural shows and even beyond borders. 

He stated that he owned about 350 herds of sheep and 80 goats.  Having made his maiden appearance during exhibitions from 2013 at the Letlhakane and Gaborone agricultural shows respectively, he said they inspired him to never look back in partaking in such activities. 

Mr Schutte attested that agricultural shows afforded farmers opportune time to meet and exchange valuable information that helped them to improve their breeding routine for good returns. 

He, therefore, implored farmers to take advantage of such farming activities coupled with extensive reading and subsequent implementation. 

On other issues, he advised farmers to keep breeding stock such as dopers, boer goats and other breeds, which could adapt to unfavourable weather conditions in order to avoid severe losses. 

He, however, decried the low prices attached to small stock and pleaded with government to set up a meat regulatory body that would regulate the market price for it to be lucrative to small stock farmers. 

Another small stock farmer from Charleshill, Mr Vatira Kambura (39) shared the same sentiments and noted that it was crucial for farmers and aspiring farmers to grace agricultural shows and other farming activities as that would sharpen their farming skills. 

In addition, he said agricultural shows also offered them the opportunity to market their livestock to local and international farmers. 

He said he started small stock farming in 2018 and he was currently having about 60 boer goats. 

Mr Kambura said he had been exhibiting at the Ghanzi show for three consecutive years and he scooped grand positions in the past two years.  Unfortunately the did not bag any prizes his year. 

He, however, said that would not despair him, as he would continue participating to broaden his knowledge on small stock management. 

The deputy chairperson for livestock exhibitors, Mr Shane Kebadile, commended exhibitors for their outstanding presentations. 

He said that alone, gave the event the recognition it deserved. Ends