Karoo Prime Lamb Farms — Livestock & Production Plan
The flock will comprise three complementary breeds selected for their suitability to the Karoo environment and commercial meat production:
Section 10 · Business Plan
Livestock & Production Plan
The flock will comprise three complementary breeds selected for their suitability to the Karoo environment and commercial meat production:
10.1 Breed Selection
The flock will comprise three complementary breeds selected for their suitability to the Karoo environment and commercial meat production:
| Breed | Proportion | Key Attributes |
|---|---|---|
| Dorper | 50% | Hardy, excellent meat conformation, heat tolerant, low maintenance (hair sheep – no shearing required) |
| Dohne Merino | 30% | Dual-purpose (meat and wool), good fertility, adapted to Karoo conditions |
| Merino | 20% | Superior wool quality, good mothering ability, complements wool revenue stream |
10.2 Flock Development Plan
| Category | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breeding Ewes | 2,800 | 3,600 | 4,500 | 5,200 | 5,800 |
| Breeding Rams (1:30 ratio) | 95 | 120 | 150 | 175 | 195 |
| Replacement Ewes (retained) | 420 | 540 | 675 | 780 | 870 |
| Lambs Born (100–110%) | 2,800 | 3,780 | 4,950 | 5,720 | 6,380 |
| Lambs Sold (slaughter) | 1,960 | 2,835 | 3,960 | 4,576 | 5,104 |
| Cull Ewes Sold | 420 | 540 | 675 | 780 | 870 |
| Total Flock Size (year end) | 3,500 | 4,500 | 5,700 | 6,500 | 7,200 |
10.3 Breeding Programme
The breeding programme will be structured to maximise lamb production efficiency:
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Mating Season: Controlled mating periods (March–April and August–September) to synchronise lambing and optimise management.
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Ram-to-Ewe Ratio: 1:30, with all rams performance-tested for fertility and growth rate.
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Target Lambing Percentage: 100% in Year 1, increasing to 110% by Year 3 through genetic selection and improved nutrition.
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Lamb Mortality Target: Below 8% through intensive lambing supervision and predator management.
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Selection Criteria: Ewes retained for breeding based on fertility, mothering ability, and lamb growth performance.
10.4 Animal Health Programme
A comprehensive animal health programme will be implemented in consultation with a registered veterinarian:
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Vaccination: Annual vaccination against Pulpy Kidney, Pasteurella, Bluetongue, and Rift Valley Fever.
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Internal Parasite Control: Strategic drenching programme based on faecal egg counts (FAMACHA system).
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External Parasite Control: Regular dipping/pour-on treatments for ticks, lice, and blowfly.
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Predator Management: Jackal-proof fencing, livestock guarding dogs (Anatolian Shepherds), and coordinated predator management with neighbouring farms.
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Record Keeping: Individual animal identification (ear tags) and computerised health and production records.
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