During my visit to livestock breeder Tshepo Masweneng in Dennilton outside Groblersdal in Limpopo in August, he mentioned one of African Farming’s partners, AFGRI, as his trusted choice for livestock feed.

By Maile Matsimela, Digital Editor at African Farming

Tshepo has more than 300 cattle that go out to graze in the village camps, while his prized Beefmaster, Brahman and Bonsmara bulls and more than 120 pure Savanna goats stay in his backyard facility.

Also read: Breeding excellence: Insights from passionate livestock farmer Tshepo Masweneng

The bulls and goats in his backyard looked fresh and I had to ask what he feeds them.

AFGRI Feed: The Trusted Choice After Years of Testing

Tshepo told me that he has moved around, and tried and tested formulas, “but AFGRI Feed gets me the best results and that’s what I’d recommend to anyone who needs advice from me”.

To get the best livestock nutrition, he advises farmers not to cut corners when it comes to feeding.

“Don’t mix quantity. Give them quality, scientifically formulated feed, then introduce roughage,” he explains. His feeding practices are based on scientific principles rather than traditional methods.

Why Homemade Feed is a Costly Gamble

He’s also against the idea of farmers producing their own feed, saying science has made advancements that should be trusted.

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“As a farmer or breeder, you don’t have the luxury of experimenting because one mistake can be costly in the long run. Rely on tested systems. Never experiment with your animals by trying to mix your feed or buy feed just because it’s cheaper.

“That’s why I only feed the best or nothing. Many feed companies emerged and later disappeared because they were unable to help farmers achieve their desired results. These formulas take years to perfect … hence I stick with AFGRI,” he says.

Also read: AFGRI: A trusted partner in the African Farming Agri-Development Imbizo

Tshepo approaches farming as a business requiring meticulous management and professional services. “The mindset must be on profit. Profit comes with work. If you don’t work, no profit,” he says, emphasising that farming success requires constant vigilance and adherence to proven procedures.

The design of his animal-handling facility in his backyard and management practices reflect this professional approach, ensuring complete control over every aspect of animal care from vaccination schedules to feeding programmes.

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