Mentor-breeder’s strategy for profitable beef farming

Johan Erasmus, who owns and runs the Jeras Boran stud on the farm Wolvengat near Derby in North West, has been farming for 37 years. A founding member of the Boran Cattle Breeders’ Society of South Africa (Boran SA), he helped write the society’s constitution and remains involved in the promotion of the Boran breed. This year, he was named the Farmer’s Weekly/SA Stud Book Elite Mentor Breeder of the Year.

The award recognises the remarkable and ongoing mentorship that Erasmus has provided to emerging and commercial farmers, as well as fellow stud breeders. This includes the following:

• He mentors two groups of breeders in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

• Since 2013, he has helped