Planted pasture cuts drought risk for stud breeder
About five years ago, Johannes and Marijke Botha of Bodeel Angus Stud between Bothaville and Viljoenskroon in the Free State made the bold decision to stop producing grain crops and focus their energy on beef cattle production instead. Moreover, they chose to use planted pasture as grazing.
According to the Bothas, the main objective of cattle farming is to convert grass to meat. For this reason, all livestock producers are in reality grazing managers. They either have to manage natural grazing or plant pastures to ensure optimal efficiency and profitability, says Johannes.
Their decision to switch from maize to planted pasture was motivated in part by the continual droughts that have ravaged the western part of the
