Mpho Sbega Pumpkin, is a stud breeder registered under Botswana Boer Goat and Dorper Breeders’ Society in the Borolong area funded by Youth Development Fund ( YDF)= in 2010.
He started with Tswana goats before deciding to crossbreed Tswana with Boer goat for quality improvement, and in 2016 the young farmer decided to breed Boer goat stud.
He said he chose the breed due to its easy adaptation in any parts of the world and being able to withstand harsh climatic conditions.
The breed, valued economically for its meat yield and weight form, also struck Pumpkin by its fertility and good body mass when crossing it for meat production.
Having been farming Tswana goats for a while, Pumpkin said that the breed may be highly adaptable to hardy conditions, but is not a good choice for business.
“It is expensive to manage Tswana goats as a business because it requires extensive care whereas the profits are limited”, he lamented.
In his opinion, the consumer is mostly interested in carcass weight, which stimulated his choice.
His was a long journey fuelled by passion and determination. The young farmer shared how he travelled around farms to benchmark from experienced local farmers before venturing into business and even travelled across the border to benchmark. He had worked closely with Hennel Kaisara as his handler during agric shows and auctions, and also helped with general show preparations and that is how he gained some of his experience in goat management. Between other breeds like Kalahari red, Savanna and other breeds, he believed that Boer was more profitable and suitable for his production after careful consideration.
He explored the breed including reading magazines and books to widen his knowledge. Pumpkin, a Diploma holder in Electrical and Electronics Engineering, has acquired courses to better his knowledge for goat production. He hasa Diploma in Junior Boar Goat course in South Africa, Diploma in Junior Dorper sheep course in Botswana under Hennie Schutte Dorpers,Introduction to Smallstock Production in Ramatlabama, and Introduction to Dairy Goats Production and Introduction to Beef Production management systems at Sebele.
Although management of a certain breed may be similar to a certain extent, Pumpkin pointed out that management varies from farm to farm. He said that sticking to a defined production process without defaulting is what makes his management easier.
“All year round I use the same production process, and each stage we cover vaccinations, feeding and supplementing and dosing and many other activities. Boer goats prefer clean environment, clean feed and clean water”, he advised.
With persisting challenges, farming is a zig zag business according to Pumpkin. He said that high mortality hit his business in 2020/ 2021 production year where he lost his production in four breeding seasons which affected him, and also decries limited resources as some of the challenges he faces in his business.
Driven by passion and inspiration to produce quality, Pumpkin said he is determined to keep going despite all the challenges, noting boldly that farming is not only a business for him but a way of life, which is why he will continue farming come what may.
“Boer goat production is an interesting business because its growing. Most farmers want to improve their flock to produce meaty goats, which is why Boer goat production will remain profitable”, Pumpkin advised.
