Karoo Prime Lamb Farms — Operations Plan
Sustainable grazing management is critical to long-term productivity in the Karoo environment. The farm will implement a rotational grazing system:
Section 11 · Business Plan
Operations Plan
Sustainable grazing management is critical to long-term productivity in the Karoo environment. The farm will implement a rotational grazing system:
11.1 Grazing Management
Sustainable grazing management is critical to long-term productivity in the Karoo environment. The farm will implement a rotational grazing system:
-
The farm will be divided into 20–25 grazing camps, each rested for a minimum of 90 days between grazing periods.
-
Stocking rates will be conservatively managed at 10–12 ha/LSU to prevent overgrazing and ensure veld recovery.
-
Veld condition assessments will be conducted biannually by a qualified rangeland ecologist.
-
Drought contingency plans include strategic destocking protocols and pre-positioned feed reserves (minimum 3-month supply).
11.2 Feed and Nutrition
While the Karoo veld will provide the primary feed base, supplementary feeding will be implemented during critical periods:
-
Finishing Ration: Lambs destined for slaughter will receive a finishing ration (maize, lucerne, and protein concentrate) for the final 4–6 weeks to optimise carcass weight and grade.
-
Winter Supplementation: Breeding ewes will receive lick supplements (phosphate and energy licks) during winter months to maintain body condition.
-
Drought Feeding: Emergency feeding plans utilise stored grain, lucerne bales, and proprietary drought feeds.
11.3 Annual Production Calendar
| Month | Key Activities |
|---|---|
| January–February | Summer grazing management, lamb finishing, wool classing |
| March–April | Autumn mating season, ram fertility testing, infrastructure maintenance |
| May–June | Pre-lambing nutrition, pregnancy scanning (ultrasound), predator control |
| July–August | Winter lambing season (main drop), intensive lambing supervision |
| September–October | Shearing, lamb marking, vaccination programme, second mating |
| November–December | Weaning, lamb sales to abattoirs, cull ewe sales, year-end stock count |
This document contains proprietary and confidential information. Distribution without written consent is prohibited.