Every day at 6 am, Freddie Maphutha, farm manager at Brothers Farm Livestock & Crops in Gauteng, starts with a time-honoured ritual: checking on the animals. But his routine blends traditional farming wisdom with the scientific insights he’s gaining through his honours studies in Animal Science at Tshwane University of Technology.
By Maile Matsimela
First he checks for any emergencies – you never know what might have happened overnight. The farm is in an area where jackals or other wild animals could pose a threat, he explains. A second check around 8 am helps them spot sick animals or those close to giving birth – they may need to keep a pregnant ewe back to avoid her having a kid outside the kraal.
By 10 am, the animals are let out to graze, and Freddie’s team continues monitoring them throughout the day to ensure access to clean water. They return to the kraal at around 5 pm. It’s a demanding cycle, one that requires precision, vigilance and care.
The Power of Science in Livestock Breeding
For Freddie, animal science is not just theoretical; he believes it plays a huge role in livestock improvement.
He is particularly enthusiastic about the economic potential of advanced breeding techniques. Science opens so many doors, he says. If you’re breeding stud animals, for instance, it’s not just about numbers anymore – it’s about quality. A Boer goat that’s well-bred can fetch serious money. You’re farming fewer animals, but you’re producing value.
He gives a striking example: A Boer goat ram named Next Level was recently sold for R2,3 million. That shows what’s possible.
Freddie also sees immense value in reproductive technologies that help farmers assess the fertility of their livestock before investing time and resources. For male goats, you can collect semen and analyse its viability. The fertility percentage gives you a clear idea of whether the animal is worth breeding. The same applies to female animals. “We collect and test oocytes – eggs – to check whether a goat is suitable for breeding,” he says. This helps prevent spreading genetic weaknesses or diseases like parasite susceptibility through a flock.
Such tools, he says, save farmers money and improve productivity by ensuring that only the best animals contribute to the next generation.
Caption: Freddie Maphutha and Dr Dolce Motsepe, managing director of Brothers Farm Livestock and Crops in Gauteng, with some Savanna goats on the farm. Photo: Maile Matsimela
Science-Based Livestock Management
Freddie applies his academic knowledge to real-world problems – especially disease management. The farm is in an area with a high risk of tick-borne diseases, but they manage it with a proper dipping programme and antibiotics.
His honours research focuses on making tick control more affordable for communal farmers. “I’m looking at cost-effective ways for them to manage tick-borne diseases.”
Science also plays a role in managing foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), Freddie says, referring to the recent outbreaks that have tested farmers’ biosecurity protocols and impacted operations. “Right now, we can’t buy or sell animals because of FMD.” Despite Brothers Farm having the facilities to follow proper quarantine procedures to prevent spreading diseases to the entire herd, they are not bringing in new animals. You don’t always know if other farmers are following proper vaccination programmes.
Freddie also emphasises animal welfare, such as stress management, which is often overlooked. Transporting animals to a new environment, especially pregnant ones, can cause stress and in some cases lead to abortions, so it’s something farmers should take seriously.
A New Generation of Farmers
From 6 am checks to late-afternoon kraal returns, Freddie’s work is grounded in both tradition and innovation. His academic background helps him make better decisions, whether it’s evaluating breeding stock, preventing disease or responding to environmental challenges.
Freddie Maphutha represents a new generation of South African farmers – ones who are blending formal education with real-world experience to build a more productive, sustainable and inclusive agricultural sector.
