Mathuba Genetics, founded by Emmanuel Modau, has once again demonstrated that a keen eye and attention to detail in livestock breeding can lead to exceptional results for farmers.
By Lebogang Mashala
During the Indigenous Veld Goat Livestock Carnival Auction, Fancy Face Edition, held at the Fire & Wine Arena in Pretoria, Mathuba Genetics’ indigenous Venda chickens achieved top prices. The highest-priced lot, Lot 11, featured Venda Kaalneks (naked neck) that sold for R4 800 each. The second and third highest prices were for Lot 7, which included three hens sold for R4 000 each, and Lot 2, consisting of three hens and a rooster, also sold for R4 000 each.
Experiment With Genetics
Modau first encountered genetics during his childhood while breeding and raising pigeons as a hobby. By the age of eight, he was already breeding chickens primarily for household egg production. His careful selection of colour traits in the birds gave him an early opportunity to experiment with genetics. In 2013, Modau was honoured as the Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Young Farmer of the Year in the backyard category of the provincial competition for his work with chickens.
Venda chickens are a hardy, indigenous breed from the Limpopo province of South Africa, recognised for their colourful plumage and adaptability. They are a dual-purpose breed, raised for both meat and eggs. Venda chickens are especially valued for their ability to thrive in free-range environments, as well as their natural pest control capabilities, which include effectively removing ticks and flies.
Highlights Of The Goat Categories
In the goat categories, Cape Lob Ears breed, the highest-priced ram was Lot 48, named Oorlog, bred by Alexander Bissett of Xandorr. It sold for R160 000 to William Smith and SP Viljoen of Goats Window. The highest-selling ewe, Lot 47, also from Xandorr, sold for R55 000, again to Goats Window.
In the Cape Skilders category, Lot 60, a ram named Kilimanjaro, bred by PW Van Heerden of Red Ribbon Stud, set a new South African record, selling for R50,000.00. It was purchased by Lennon Nkosi of Prodipix 212. The highest-selling ewe in this category, Lot 59, also from Red Ribbon, set another record by selling for R41 000 to Alexander Bissett.
In the Mbuzi Nguni ram category, Lot 65, named Nyati, from Gerhard Lourens of LGL Farming, set a new record by selling for R15 000 to Lennon Nkosi. In the ewe category, Lot 36, also from LGL Farming, sold for R7 000 to Nkosi.
The auctioneer was CDP Auctioneers.
