Starting with just four goats in 2010, Antonet Dry has transformed her farm into a prominent producer of Kalahari Reds. The increase to over 800 goats reflects not only her hard work but also the rising demand for this breed across Africa. Dry's success story illustrates the potential of goat farming, especially as South Africa witnesses a growing interest in Kalahari Reds.
The Kalahari Red goats have become a significant asset in the meat industry, with producer prices experiencing a notable surge since 2020. According to experts, prices are expected to stabilize in 2025, indicating a promising market for these goats. Factors influencing these trends include operational costs and the quality of farming practices, emphasizing the need for farmers to adapt to market changes.
Despite the nutritional advantages of goat meat, including lower fat content compared to beef, consumer preferences present challenges for the industry's growth. Farmers call for increased commercial farming efforts to meet demand and encourage retailers to offer goat meat consistently. With ongoing initiatives like goat husbandry programs, there is hope for overcoming these obstacles and expanding the goat farming landscape in South Africa.
Antonet Dry, a prominent goat farmer based in Kinan, Pretoria, embarked on her farming journey in 2010 with just four Kalahari Red goats. Since then, her farm has significantly scaled up, now employing several workers and boasting over 800 goats of this prized breed. The Kalahari Reds have gained exceptional popularity not only in South Africa but also in neighboring African countries. This surge in demand is attributed to the breed's hardiness, high fertility rates, and excellent mothering abilities. The Kalahari Red goat, known for its distinctive red coat, is becoming increasingly important in meat production, offering farmers a lucrative opportunity. In the early years following 2020, producer prices for these commercially bred goats skyrocketed, fueled by a growing interest in goat farming during the pandemic. Agricultural experts predict stability for these prices in 2025, with a slight upward trend observed. Kalahari Reds can fetch prices ranging from D10,000 to as high as D260,000 for high-quality rams. As producers face rising operational costs, including feed prices, strategic farming practices are essential for maintaining production levels. Antonet emphasizes that quality feed, especially maize, is vital for supporting goat health and productivity, particularly during challenging climatic conditions like drought. Despite the benefits of goat meat, which has a lower fat content and comparable protein levels to beef, consumer preference remains a challenge for commercial goat production. Farmers acknowledge the need for more formal market participants to ensure a consistent supply of goat meat. Retailers are often reluctant to stock goat meat due to concerns over supply reliability. Initiatives such as goat husbandry programs aim to enhance knowledge and skills among farmers, ultimately boosting production and improving market conditions. Through training, technology support, and marketing strategies, stakeholders are optimistic about the future growth of the goat farming industry, particularly in regions like KwaZulu-Natal.We must as black people should take it easy in assuming that alcohol trade is a benchmark of entering business. Instead, intitiatives to join agriculture should be our new business trend.
Nice job. May I please have the contact information of the Kalahari breader in Culinan?
The world must learn to eat less meat. Think about it 8 billion humans and over 80 billion farmed animals!!! Think whats involved our eco system and so much more It is plain greed.
