Farmer Tshepo Masweneng from Dennilton, has established himself as a knowledgeable livestock breeder, focusing on quality and sustainability.
By Maile Matsimela, Digital Editor at African Farming
With over 300 cattle in village camps and more than 120 pure Savanna goats in his backyard facility, Tshepo operates with precision and purpose. In this exclusive interview, he shares valuable insights on livestock breeding, industry dynamics and the mindset needed for successful farming.
Tshepo Masweneng is a seasoned farmer, and his successful approach to livestock breeding is founded on two core principles that have guided his success over the years. The first is that to achieve the best results in livestock breeding, you must be willing to invest in quality services. “The best vets and the best feed – never cut corners because if you do, you won’t get great results,” he states emphatically. “You must care for your animals, and they will take care of you, too.”
This mutual relationship, he says, forms the foundation of his breeding success. The second principle, according to Tshepo, is equally important: “Though you’re in the village where there’s cattle all over, you must never allow your cattle to mix with others because they will always bring surprises.” To illustrate this principle, he points to his seven prized bulls: “You see, here are my seven bulls – Beefmaster, Brahman and Bonsmara breeds. They stay here 365 days a year; no one knows about them out there, and they will never mate with local cattle except mine. I keep them here and make sure I give them quality food and clean water.”
Also read: Breeding cattle that work for farmers, not the other way around – Sandile Nzuza, Bonsmara SA
Tshepo’s dedication to breeding excellence has led him to build a proper cattle handling facility in his backyard. “I don’t even dip my cattle with other villagers. Having this facility gives me full control over my vaccination programme,” he explains. This level of control also extends to his goat operation. His 120+ pure-bred Savanna goats never leave his backyard, spending “their entire existence well fed with the best” in a specially designed facility.
Tshepo targets specific markets. “I breed for production auctions and when I get to the auction, I don’t need any favours because I trust my breed to compete and speak for themselves,” he says with confidence.
Breed Selection
His approach is methodical and results-oriented: “If I breed, the calf must grow according to specification because I know I’ll be doing the right things. If it doesn’t, then you may find out that the breed you’re using has been tampered with.” The evidence of his success is visible even in young animals. Pointing to a two-month-old calf, he notes: “You can tell by just looking at it that it’s healthy and well fed.”
Tshepo has made strategic decisions about breed selection based on market trends and demand. He observes significant shifts in breed preferences, noting how “Savanna goats are now taking over from Boer goats,” explaining how once-popular breeds are “losing their prominence due to ‘weakening’ genetics.”
“If a bull doesn’t give me the results I want, I get rid of it because probably whatever comes from it will also have defects. As a breeder, you want to immediately avoid any possible breeding defects.” This vigilance in maintaining genetic integrity ensures that only the strongest genetics make it into his breeding programme. “You must know from day one what breed you want to use and what you want to end up producing,” he advises, emphasising that this clarity eliminates ambiguity and ensures a streamlined production process.
Controlled Production
When it comes to the mating season, Tshepo doesn’t just let his bulls mate with any of his cows. “I control my production. If I need a Bonsmara, Brahman or Beefmaster calf, I know which cow to pair with which bull,” he explains. This level of control goes beyond simple breed choice to include practical considerations that many farmers often overlook.
“One of the things farmers should notice is the weight of the bulls when it comes to mating. Some of these bulls might be much heavier than your cow and can even cause injuries or produce a larger calf that may lead to birth complications, so it’s important to match specific cows with specific bulls,” he advises with the voice of experience.
Also read: Savanna ram fetches record price of R70 000
This controlled approach tackles another important issue Tshepo has noticed in communal farming settings. “Letting your animals mix with others means your heifers and young goats might be mated before they even reach the required age,” he warns. His knowledge of his animals is detailed and accurate: “I know exactly at what age my heifer or female goat will be ready for a bull or buck.”
This timing is vital because early breeding can lead to serious problems. “Sometimes, if you let a smaller heifer or female goat become pregnant, it might result in a stillborn or a shortage of milk because it has not matured enough for such a load. This means the calf will also be weak and grow more slowly because its mother doesn’t produce enough milk,” he states confidently.
This unwavering dedication to performance standards guarantees that every animal in his breeding programme contributes to the overall excellence he demands from his operation.
Feed The Best
He is also unwavering when it comes to livestock nutrition. “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.
He’s also against the idea of farmers producing their own feed, saying science has made advancements that should be trusted.
“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.”
This philosophy extends to his choice of feed suppliers, with a simple mantra: “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,” he says, mentioning one popular feed company he relies on.
Tshepo approaches farming as a business requiring meticulous management and professional services.
The design of his animal-handling facility and management practices reflect this professional approach, ensuring complete control over every aspect of animal care from vaccination schedules to feeding programmes.
“The mindset is 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.
Just Start
Our conversation revealed Tshepo’s concerns about broader systemic issues affecting the agricultural sector. He is particularly critical of current funding allocation methods: “Funding allocation kills passion. It’s no longer about identifying talent but who knows who.”
This mismanagement of resources has reduced the drive for excellence in farming. “We are no longer identifying skills. Everybody wants funding or shortcuts, and this drags the sector down,” he laments.
His advice to farmers is to “just start”, adding that he takes particular pride in his financial independence from government assistance. “I have never received funding for my operation. Everything comes from my pockets and profits.” His philosophy on this matter is uncompromising: “Any farmer who awaits funding is not serious about farming.”
This self-reliance extends to his innovative approach to land use, which challenges traditional ideas about what land one needs to be a successful farmer.
“I don’t require many hectares to farm successfully,” he explains, gesturing to his compact but highly productive facility. “You see, in this small space, I accommodate about 120 goats. They get everything here. So, if I can place 120 here, imagine what I can do with a full hectare facility.”
Tshepo’s success in maximising productivity in a limited space allows him to give practical advice to fellow farmers facing land constraints. “I urge farmers to work with what they have because I don’t see land reform working out anytime soon,” he says frankly. His view of the land-reform programme is direct: “I think it failed a long time ago, plus the fact that the government has already spent a lot of money on it means they won’t recover from that setback.”
Also read: National Van Rooy and Savanna goat auction achieves good prices
Breeding Is An Art
Instead of waiting for policy solutions, Tshepo believes the responsibility lies with farmers themselves. “It’s up to farmers to come up with innovative ways to use the smaller spaces that they have,” he advocates. He attributes much of the land-reform programme’s failure to poor implementation: “The mistake is allocating farms to the wrong people who are not using them productively.” This pragmatic approach reflects Tshepo’s broader philosophy of self-reliance and making the most of available resources, demonstrating that success in farming depends more on knowledge, dedication and innovative thinking than on the size of one’s operation or access to government funding.
He sees breeding as a combination of scientific principles and artistic intuition. “Even if you take my bull, it won’t breed the same on your side. It’s an art,” he explains, emphasising the unique interaction of environmental factors and genetic elements that make each breeding operation unique.
Furthermore, Tshepo stresses that temperament is a vital breeding trait that many other farmers overlook, to their detriment. “Any animal that lacks good temperament can cost you big time,” he warns. This concern goes beyond the farm to market performance: “Even when you arrive with it at production auctions, buyers look at its behaviour. No farmer wants to buy a wild animal because it can even die or injure itself while being transported.”
His approach to temperament is deeply rooted in the concept of genetic selection. “It’s all in the genes,” he states confidently. “I cannot have a bull in my herd that I can never touch or fear that it will attack me. I have bred all my animals to have a good temperament.” Tshepo’s philosophy reflects his comprehensive understanding that sensible livestock management should take into account both safety and economic considerations.
Breed For Temperament
Research supports Tshepo’s emphasis on temperament as a critical breeding objective. Studies have shown that cattle with poor temperament exhibit higher stress levels during handling and transport, resulting in increased cortisol production, which negatively impacts meat quality through the production of darker cuts and reduced tenderness. Furthermore, aggressive animals pose significant safety risks to handlers, with livestock-related injuries accounting for a substantial portion of farm accidents globally.
The genetic aspect of temperament that Tshepo mentions is well-supported by scientific literature. Temperament traits in cattle have heritability estimates ranging from 0.20 to 0.50, indicating that calm, obedient behaviour can be effectively achieved through selective breeding. Animals with poor temperament also tend to show reduced reproductive performance, with stressed females often experiencing lower conception rates and increased difficulties during calving.
From an economic perspective, the market implications of temperament are significant. Research carried out at various livestock auctions has shown that cattle exhibiting calm behaviour consistently fetch higher prices per kilogram compared to their more excitable counterparts. Furthermore, animals with poor temperament require more labour for handling, incur higher veterinary costs due to stress-related health problems and lose more weight during transport – all factors that directly affect profitability.
Tshepo’s breeding philosophy thus embodies not merely personal preference, but sensible business practice supported by decades of scientific research, which shows that temperament is as crucial as any other production trait in determining the overall success and profitability of a livestock operation. Tshepo, who jokingly states that he started farming from “day 1”, was involved in pig production. He abandoned it when the country began to be affected by frequent African swine fever outbreaks and shifted his focus to cattle and goats.
