Lebogang Mashala
Over 50 farmers from across the country gathered at the Tlhokomela Mobu farm in Radium, near Bela-Bela in Limpopo, for a Smallholder Regenerative Grazing and Farmers’ Day. The event was hosted by Hendrik O’Neal and his team from Tlhokomela Mobu, alongside Andrew Ardington, founder of RegenAg SA.
The day centred on regenerative farming methods that rebuild soil, lower input costs, protect and enhance the natural environment, mitigate climate change, produce nutrient-dense healthy foods, promote biodiversity, uphold animal welfare, and ensure economic justice for farmers and farm workers.
The Tlhokomela Mobu farm is managed by a team led by Hendrik O’Neal, Sally Nicholl, Anderson Mutasa and their dedicated workers. “Tlhokomela Mobu” is a Sesotho expression that means “take care of the soil.” They practice regenerative farming primarily through high-density rotational grazing. The farm spans 60 hectares and accommodates over 2 000 chickens, 500 pigs, 100 cows, and 100 sheep, all grazing rotationally every day. This system is made possible by mobile watering solutions, fencing, shade, and high-density, short-duration grazing techniques.
According to Hendrik, the common misconception that one needs a large farm to be profitable is untrue. “A significant part of agriculture is the mindset. The size of the land does not matter. The key is effective resource management and adhering to the basics,” Hendrik explains.
Anderson, who oversees farm production, guided the visitors through the rotational grazing process, which starts with the cattle, followed by sheep, then pigs, and finally chickens.
The herd comprises mixed-bred cattle, including Dexters, Nguni, Boran, and Jersey cows. They are initially placed in a fresh grazing area and moved several times daily, managed by electrified wires. Since the cattle are dual-purpose, a mobile milking stall allows the team to milk the cows directly in the grazing area each morning before moving them to the next camp. The cattle are not allowed to graze the grass too short, leaving enough for the sheep flock, mainly Pedi and Meatmaster sheep.
After the sheep, the pigs root around, wiggle, and dig up the ground, incorporating the dung and urine from the animals into the soil, preparing it for rain and stimulating plant life. This process is essential for the health and well-being of the other livestock in the system. The herd includes just over 500 pigs grazing in several small camps, which are fenced off with two electrified wires spaced about 20 cm apart, with the top wire barely reaching 0.5 m in height. An inverter and batteries power the wires to limit the pigs’ movement within the camp.
The pigs are moved to a new camp each morning while the previous day’s camp is dismantled, and new camps are established according to a rotation plan.
Once the pigs leave, the chickens follow. The chickens have three main functions: they provide eggs and meat, clean up after the pigs, cattle, and sheep by eating the insects and ticks they leave behind, and contribute to maintaining a healthy environment. Hendrik states that supplements and vaccinations are rarely needed because the animals obtain health and nutrition from the soil and the food they eat. The daily moving of animals helps to prevent the buildup of pests and diseases.
The chickens are moved daily through 1.8 m-high interlocking diamond mesh panels using mobile cages. They are counted daily as they pass through these steel channels from one area to another. The chickens are multiple breeds hatched from homegrown eggs in incubators located in the farmhouse.
The chickens thrive in this system as more eggs hatch successfully. Rather than laying eggs randomly across the farm, which resulted in losses, the chickens now lay eggs in a protected environment.
Anderson said that this system has increased income and improved production efficiency. They have observed a significant improvement in soil capacity and fertility, which has resulted in abundant grazing.
Hendrik and his team grow vegetables, maize, and sunflowers on the soil that the cattle, pigs and chickens have fertilised. The maize is used to make silage; some of it is mixed with sunflower seeds for chicken feed. Any vegetables that are not consumed or sold are given to the pigs.
More to read:
