The founder of Gemsbok Cattle Breeders; Lets Simmentaler Stud, Tshiamo Stud and Gemsbok Boer Goats Stud, Mr Tshiamo Letshwiti, started cattle breeding with 17 Simmentals and 7 Charolaise breeds. Historically known as Swiss Fleckvieh in ancient Swiss history, The Simmental; named after the valley of the SimmeRiverin Switzerland, captured Letshwiti’s heart by its famous dual purpose for beef and high milk yield.
He worships Charolaise best though,dubbing it the king of cross breeding for its magnificent cross breeding outcomes. The French origin breed is characterised by good muscle, classified as the heaviest of cattle breeds. His choice for this breed was also influenced by Charolaise’s ability to withstand dry seasons.
Letshwiti has always treasured farming from a young age. His love for cattle was inspired by his subsistence cattle rearing parents, whom during school holidays would send him to the cattle-post to tender to the animals, unknowingly breeding the next generation’s cattle breeder.Theykept Tswana cattle and used to cross them with Simmental bulls and Charolaise bulls.
He said that the first time he bought a cow was when he was attending junior school (about 14 years old) at Ithuteng Junior Secondary School, which motivated him, though by that time he did understand anything about cattle breeds.
In 2016 he decided to put more effort in professional cattle breeding after he bought Matimela (stray) cattle from Kgatleng District Council.
“From there I bought my first Simmental bull from Phillip Lombard of LussimSimmentaler Stud and Boer Breeders around May, then in December 2016 I went to buy Charolaise bull and Females from Clive Marshall of Marshall Charolaise Studs to improve my standard. I am a stud breeder of Charolaise,Simmentals and Boer Goats”, he explained.
“Istarted breeding with 17 Simmentals from LussimSimmentalersand TholoSimmentalers. I then bought 7 Charolaise Breed from Marshall Charolaise Stud, and had around 47 Tswana cattle which we bought from Kgatleng District Council. For now we crossCharolaise and Simmental bulls with Tswana cattle for beef production. Our Boer goats were bought from Faheem Kala of Bushra Studs and some are Tswana goats which we cross with Boer Goat”, he further explained.
Gemsbok Farm, which is located near Mochudi values quality. To improve their breeding standards, they occasionally import semen from Germany, France and South Africa for Artificial Insemination (AI), and also import some of their cattle from South Africa, boasting Top Simmental bull from Von Adel Bloodline.
Letshwitistressed that good management and planning are very important in maintaining quality and improvement of standard of their animals. He cited paddocking as crucial in achieving defined breeding, explaining that during breeding season when the cows are on heat, they ensure that they are separated from other animals from 2-5days together with a bull for mating.
“Normally we get 90% calving rate every year whether we used bulls or AI”, he said, adding that fulltime presence at the farm as a breeder is a necessity to ensure proper care and management for better returns.
However, they also face challenges especially with AI. He said that sometimes they perform AI on their animals only to find out later that it was not effective, and that way they complete the process by mating them naturally.Letshwitiemphasized that this is one of the reasons why farmers need to monitor their farms closely by staying at their farms.
“Employees sometimes can not do work properly , so if you make sure you wake up by your farm almost everyday you can try to do some things which they can’t do and again they need every day monitoring. Let’s not leave our millions with employees”, he said, adding that farmers should also value their workers.
Nutrition is also citedasvital in economic livestock production. Precisely, controlled and zero grazing coupled withsupplementary feeds and licks are very important according to Letshwiti. He says that hiscowsgraze freely on freehold and practices zero grazing for the bulls, adding thatwell-bred animals certainly have a place in the market as there are breeders who want to improve quality of their animals who purchase duringAuction and Agricultural shows and other production sales.
Letshwiti advised that aspiring farmers should make breeding choices based on their passion and not copy someone else, emphasising that it is very important to know what you are looking for when buying cattle.
“A good animal is seen by weight and more milk. If you check Estimated Breeding Values (EBV), milk should be +4 and above.Myself I like medium frame cattle”, he advised.
Gemsbok Farms is set to start its own Auction sale next year.
