Master Goat Farming — Breed Selection & Farming Operations
The enterprise will focus on the Boer goat as its primary breed, supplemented by selective introduction of Savannah genetics in Year 3 to enhance hardiness under drought stress conditions. The Kalahari Red will be evaluated as a complementary meat breed from Year…
Section 4 · Business Plan
Breed Selection & Farming Operations
The enterprise will focus on the Boer goat as its primary breed, supplemented by selective introduction of Savannah genetics in Year 3 to enhance hardiness under drought stress conditions. The Kalahari Red will be evaluated as a complementary meat breed from Year…
4.1 Breed Selection Rationale
The enterprise will focus on the Boer goat as its primary breed, supplemented by selective introduction of Savannah genetics in Year 3 to enhance hardiness under drought stress conditions. The Kalahari Red will be evaluated as a complementary meat breed from Year 4.
| Characteristic | Boer Goat (Primary) | Savannah (Secondary, Y3+) |
| Daily Weight Gain | 200–250g/day under good management | 170–220g/day |
| Mature Buck Weight | 110–135 kg | 100–120 kg |
| Mature Doe Weight | 80–95 kg | 70–90 kg |
| Kidding Rate | 170–200% (1.7–2.0 kids/doe/yr) | 160–180% |
| Slaughter Age | 8–10 months (35–40 kg live weight) | 9–11 months |
| Dressing % | 48–52% carcass weight | 46–50% |
| Drought Tolerance | Moderate — requires supplementation | High — excellent browser |
| Market Premium | High — preferred breed at auctions and abattoirs | Moderate |
4.2 Production System
Master Goat Farming will operate under an integrated semi-intensive production system combining rotational camp grazing with supplemental feeding. This system optimises reproductive performance and average daily gain while maintaining low input costs relative to fully intensive feedlot-style operations.
Camp System Design
The 120-hectare farm will be divided into six rotational grazing camps of approximately 20 hectares each. The stocking rate will be maintained at a maximum of 8 Boer goat units per hectare (adjusted for rainfall and seasonal forage availability). Camps will rest for a minimum of 45 days between grazing cycles to allow vegetation recovery and interrupt internal parasite life cycles.
Supplemental Feeding Protocol
| Category | Product | Daily Allowance | Cost/Animal/Day |
| Breeding Does (dry) | Maintenance lick + hay | 0.5 kg | R0.85 |
| Breeding Does (lactating) | Production lick + lucerne | 1.0 kg | R2.10 |
| Weaner Kids (0–3 months) | Starter pellets + creep feed | 0.4 kg | R1.40 |
| Grow-out Animals (3–8 months) | Grower pellets + veld | 0.7 kg | R1.85 |
| Breeding Bucks | High-protein lick + hay | 1.2 kg | R2.50 |
4.3 Infrastructure Plan
| Infrastructure Item | Specification | Cost (R) | Priority |
| Game/Stock Fencing (perimeter, 6km) | 1.8m jackal-proof | R420,000 | Phase 1 |
| Internal Camp Fencing (5 divisions) | 1.5m standard stock | R180,000 | Phase 1 |
| Main Goat Housing Shed (500m²) | Steel frame, corrugated iron | R280,000 | Phase 1 |
| Kidding Pen Complex (12 pens) | Individual maternity pens | R95,000 | Phase 1 |
| Handling & Dosing Facilities | Crush, race, weigh crate | R120,000 | Phase 1 |
| Water Reticulation System | Borehole, tanks, troughs per camp | R195,000 | Phase 1 |
| Feed Storage Silo & Mixer Area | 100-ton capacity | R85,000 | Phase 2 |
| Isolation / Quarantine Facility | 50-animal pen | R45,000 | Phase 1 |
| TOTAL | R1,420,000 |
4.4 Animal Health Protocol
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Mandatory vaccination schedule: PPR (Peste des Petits Ruminants), Heartwater, Pasteurellosis, Pulpy Kidney (Enterotoxaemia) — biannual
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Internal parasite (worm) management: FAMACHA scoring system; targeted selective treatment; refugia-based resistance management
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External parasite (lice, ticks, mange): Strategic dipping programme — pour-on and spray dip quarterly
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Foot rot surveillance and hoof trimming — quarterly inspection programme
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Retained veterinarian on call; 24-hour emergency protocol established
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New animal quarantine period: 21 days minimum before introducing to main herd
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Brucellosis and CAE (Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis) testing for all purchased animals
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