2019 | VOLUME 8

t d i e v e l d
G e l d u i m a k e r
’ s M o n e y
Natur e

Meatmaster Skaaptelersgenootskap van Suid-Afrika

Meatmaster Sheep Breeders’ Society of South Africa
MEATMASTER 2019 1
 INHOUD
CONTENTS 2019
MEATMASTER
ARTIKELS/ARTICLES
Redaksioneel/Editorial 4
Ons Raadslede / Our Council Members 8
Verwikkelinge in die kantoor van die Meatmaster Skaaptelersgenootskap
10-12
Developments in the office of the Meatmaster Sheep Breeders’ Society
Kan ek met Meatmasters boer sonder om hulle vir haarwurm te doseer?
13-14
Can I farm with Meatmasters without vaccinating them for wireworm?
Verwantskap tussen gewig en sekere liggaamsmates by Meatmaster ramme -
voorlopige resultate
16-25
Relationship between body weight and certain body measurements of Meatmaster
rams - preliminary results
Meatmaster, ‘n unieke ras
26-32
Meatmsters, a unique breed
Meatmaster Presteer Goed
38-39
Meatmaster Performs
Inspuitbare formule is deurbraak vir veeboere
46-48
Injectable formula a breakthrough for livestock farmers
Mmankwedi Meatmasters (Botswana) 50-52
MEATMASTER Namibia/Namibië 54
Ons Meatmaster Storie
56-57
Our Meatmaster Story
Hoekom Meatmaster?
58-60
Why Meatmaster?
Omega Meatmasters 2de Prouksie Veiling
63
Omega Meatmasters 2nd Auction
Meatmaster Presteer, al is dit droogte!!
64-65
Meatmaster Performs, even in the drought!!
Die/The Meatmaster 68-70

DISCLAIMER/VRYWARING:
The views expressed by the authors of the articles featured in this publication do not necessarily reflect
the views of the Meatmaster Society.
Die menings van die skrywers soos in die publikasie vervat, weerspieël nie noodwendig die mening van
die Meatmaster Genootskap nie.

ONTWERP & DRUK VAN JOERNAAL | DESIGN & PRINTING OF JOURNAL

Nelis Uys: 083 287 7300

2 2019 MEATMASTER
ADVERTEERDERS ADVERTEERDERS
Paardekraal Meatmasters BV & 1 Ascendis Animal Health 47
Mana Meatmasters 5,7,9 Vleissentraal 49
Sterkfontein Meatmasters 6 Mmankgwedi Meatmasters 51
B3 Genetics 11 Wouman Meatmasters 52
Kern Meatmasters 15 Big Fred Meatmasters 53
Ben-Tson Meatmasters 17 Swartmodder Meatmasters 55
CDO Auctioneering Services 19 Rumax 57
Olive Branch Meatmasters 19 Bethal Meatmasters 59
Molatek 23 Meatmaster Consortium Namibië 61
Bobumga Meatmasters 25 Marius Louwrens Meatmasters 61
Lapfontein Meatmasters 27 ACT Logistics 62
Mohimba Meatmasters 31 Omega Meatmasters 63
Madiru Meatmasters 33 Saamstaan Boerdery 65
Ochre & Bar Circle Meatmasters 34 ORV Meatmasters 66
Meatmaster Consortium 35 Veekos 67
Didymus Meatmasters 36-37 Kaap Agri Namibia 70
Wilgerboom Meatmasters 40 Hanekom Boerdery 71
Leliekrans Meatmasters 41 Red Ribbon Meatmasters 72
Collett Farming 42-43 Signalberg Meatmasters BA
Kamdeboo Meatmasters 44-45 Collett Farming A

MEATMASTER SKAAPTELERSGENOOTSKAP VAN SA

MEATMASTER SHEEP BREEDERS’ SOCIETY OF SA
Posbus/PO Box 1060, Bloemfontein, 9300
Tel: 051 410 0900 | Tel: 051 410 0968 | Faks/Fax: 051 448 4220
E-pos/E-mail: lizanne@studbook.co.za | www.meatmastersa.co.za

MEATMASTER 2019 3
 Redaksioneel
Editorial
Paul Harvey: “In times like these, it helps to recall that
there have always been times like these”
Watter geweldige uitdagende tye is dit nie vir ons as boere nie.
Ons staan op die vooraand van nog 'n verkiesing, wat teen
die tyd dat hierdie boek gepubliseer is, alreeds plaasgevind
het. Regering en 'n regerende party wat lyk asof dit ineenstort,
droogtes wat in sommige dele voortduur, terwyl ander dele van
die land oorstroom, veediefstal wat so toegeneem het en 'n
floreerende onderneming geword het wat miljoene werd is vir
individue. Net om 'n paar te noem ... met al die gebeure kan jy
baie maklik voel asof jou land of selfs jou eie mense jou verwerp.
Maar ek wil jou aanmoedig met die aanhaling van Paul Harvey
hierbo. Daar was nog altyd tye soos hierdie, dit was net op 'n
ander manier, tydperk of vorm. Is dit nie wat Salomo in Prediker
1: 9 sê nie -
“ Wat was, sal weer wees: Wat gebeur het, sal weer gebeur. Daar
is niks nuuts in hierdie wêreld nie.”
Salomo se wysheid strek oor godsdiens grense heen en aan
die einde van die boek Prediker eindig hy as volg in vers 12:13.
"Die slotsom van alles wat jy gehoor het, is dit: “Een ding bly
staan, en dit is dat almal God moet vrees en sy voorskrifte moet
gehoorsaam.”
Wat ek hieruit haal, is dat daar altyd moeilike tye gaan wees.
Wanneer dit goed met ons gaan, juig ons en wanneer die moeilike
tye kom, moet ons standvastig wees, maar ten spyte van alles,
goed en sleg, moet ons God vrees en daarna streef om sy bevele
te gehoorsaam. As 'n Christen weet ek dat die verhaal in die
Nuwe Testament voortleef, waar dit sê: " Ons gee nooit moed op
nie, ook nie wanneer ons rondgestamp en mishandel word nie.
Nee, dan byt ons eers vas, want God is die hele tyd by ons. Hy
maak ons elke dag van binne af nuut. Ons bietjie swaarkry hier
en nou weeg nie op teen al die goeie dinge wat op ons wag in
God se nuwe wêreld nie "(2 Korintiërs 4: 16-17).
Die Joernaal was soos altyd uitdagend, maar hierdie jaar het die
aanhoudende droogtes in groot dele van die subkontinent, 'n
groot rol gespeel. Almal probeer om koste te besnoei en te spaar
waar hulle kan, maar dit is met GROOT OPGEWONDENHEID dat
ons u hierdie uitgawe vir 2019 kan aanbied. U sal merk dat ons
ook die Namibiese Meatmaster Genootskap ingesluit het. Dit is 'n
projek wat ek al jare lank probeer uitvoer het en dit het uiteindelik
gebeur. Ek is persoonlik baie opgewonde hieroor. Ek hoop dat
die twee genootskappe in die toekoms baie nou sal saamwerk,
maar steeds sal funksioneer as twee afsonderlike entiteite.
Dit is die laaste Joernaal waarmee Sonja Wasserman gehelp het,
en dit is met hartseer dat ek in dié opsig van haar moet afskeid
neem. Gelukkig is sy ten minste in haar kantoor net oorkant ons
nuwe kantoor by Sekretariaat. Sonja - DANKIE UIT MY HELE
HART VIR ALLES !!! Dit was aangenaam om so lank saam met
jou te kon werk, al jou hulp, veral na-ure, was nie onopgemerk
nie. Jy het te veel vir al die lede van die genootskap gedoen. Jy
het regtig “ABOVE AND BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY” gegaan!
Aan die telers, lede en nie-lede, eindig ek met hierdie een versoek.
Kom ons bid vir hierdie land en sy leiers, Kom ons bid vir 'n beter
land, ongeag die regerende party of u politieke oortuigings.
Staan op en wees die verskil wat u graag in die wêreld wil sien.
Vriendelike groete
Mario du Preez
4 2019 MEATMASTER
Paul Harvey: “In times like these, it helps to recall that
there have always been times like these”
What tremendous challenging times it is for us as farmers. We
are standing at the edge of another election, which by the time
this book is published has happened already. Government,
and a ruling party that looks like its imploding; droughts that
are persistent in some parts, where other parts of the country
are flooding, stock theft that has increased and has become a
flourishing business worth millions to individuals. Only to name
a few… with all such ongoing it can very easily feel unwanted by
your country or even your own people”. But I want to encourage
you with the quote that is at the top from Paul Harvey. There has
always been times like these, it was just in another way, shape or
form. Is this not what Soloman speaks of in the Bible when he
says in Ecclesiastes 1:9
“What has been will be again, what has been done will be done
again; there is nothing new under the sun.”
Soloman’s reputation spans across religious borders, and
coming to the end of the book of Ecclesiastes he ends with this
in verse 12:13 “That’s the whole story. Here now is my final
conclusion: FEAR GOD and OBEY HIS COMMANDS, for this is
everyone’s duty”.
What I draw from this is that the tough times are going to be.
When it goes good with us we rejoice and when the tribulations
come we have to stand steadfast, but within all of this, good and
bad, we have to FEAR GOD and strive to OBEY HIS COMMANDS.
As a Christian I know that the story goes on in the New Testament
where it says, “that is why we never give up, though our bodies
are dying, our spirit is being renewed every day. For our present
troubles are small and won’t last very long, but is preparing
for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison” (2
Corinthians 4:16-17).
The journal was challenging as most years, but this year because
of the ongoing droughts throughout large parts of the sub-
continent has played a large role. Everyone is trying to cut cost
and save where they can, but it is with GREAT EXCITEMENT
that we can offer you this journal for 2019. You will see that we
included the Namibian Meatmaster Breeders Society in here as
well. This is a project that I have been trying for many years and
it has finally happened. So personally I am very excited. I’m
hoping that in the future the two societies can work very close
together, but still function as individuals.
This is the last journal that Sonja Wasserman is helping with and
it is with sadness that I say farewell to her in this regard, her
office is just opposite our new office at Studbook. Sonja –THANK
YOU FROM MY WHOLE HEART FOR…EVERYTHING!!! It was a
pleasure to work with you for so long, all your help especially
after hours did not go by unnoticed. You have done too much
for all the members of the society. You really did go ABOVE AND
BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY!!!!
To all breeders, members and non-members, I leave you with
this one request. LET US TRULY PRAY FOR THIS COUNTRY
and its LEADERS, Let us Pray for a better country, irrespective
of ruling party or political beliefs, standing up and being the
difference that you would like to see in the world.
Kind Regards
Mario du Preez
MEATMASTER 2019 5
WILLEM VD BERG: 083 254 31444 wnhb@shisas.com
051 - 412 6493

STERKFONTEIN MEATMASTERS & ANGUSSE

PRODUKSIEVEILINGS:
5 September 2019 - Upington | 5 Maart 2020 - Upington

6 2019 MEATMASTER
MEATMASTER 2019 7
 ONS RAADSLEDE
OUR COUNCIL MEMBERS

PRESIDENT VISE PRESIDENT

VICE PRESIDENT
MARIO DU PREEZ
Posbus 122
PW VAN HEERDEN BETHULIE, 9992
Posbus 271 NAVORSING/RESEARCH Publikasies / Nasionale Veiling
WESSELSBRON, 9680 051-654 0538
President / Bemarking / Skoue PROF PIETER FOURIE
081 489 0198
Nasionale Veiling
057-899 2418
ANDRIESFONTEIN mario@superiorgenetics.co.za
083 627 4133 Posbus 9, OLIFANTSHOEK, 8450
pwvanheerden@mailbox.co.za 084 381 7893
pfourie@cut.ac.za

JOHNNY MORRISON CLYNTON COLLETT ESJAY VISSER

Posbus 17317 Posbus 122 POSBUS 42
BAINSVLEI, 9338 BETHULIE, 9992 KENHARDT
Inspeksies / Inspekteurs Navorsing 8900
083 383 2737 061 436 5202 Sosiale geleenthede
mohimba3@gmail.com 082 463 5936 083 297 2897
crc@collettgroup.com dhvisser@telkomsa.net

8 2019 MEATMASTER
MEATMASTER 2019 9
 VERWIKKELINGE IN DIE KANTOOR VAN DIE MEATMASTER
SKAAPTELERSGENOOTSKAP
DEVELOPMENTS IN THE OFFICE OF THE MEATMASTER
SHEEP BREEDERS’ SOCIETY
Totsiens aan Sonja Wasserman
Die Meatmaster Skaaptelersgenootskap se
werk was aanvanklik deur ‘n maatskappy van
Brandfort behartig, maar die Genootskap het die
Sekretariaat gedurende 2009 om die lewering van
‘n administratiewe diens genader. Die Genootskap
is met ongeveer 10 lede deur die Sekretariaat
oorgeneem en Sonja Wasserman is as Sekretaresse
aangestel.
Sonja was op daardie stadium een van die mees
ervare Sekretaresses by die Sekretariaat en het ten
spyte van ‘n baie drukprogram, regtig pionierswerk
gedoen om die Meatmaster Genootskap te help
bou tot die organisasie wat dit vandag is. Haar
onvermoeide ywer om die Genootskap en sy telers
tot diens te wees sal altyd waardeer word. Daar is
oor die jare heen mooi vriendskappe met die telers
gesluit en daarom sal daar altyd met genoeë aan
Sonja se besondere humorsin en lewenslus gedink
word.
Sonja was in die onbenydenswaardige posisie
geplaas waar sy die verantwoordelikheid van vier
genootskappe moes dra. Die las het uiteindelik
net te groot geword en daarom is daar besluit
om die Meatmaster Genootskap, een van die
Genootskappe wat baie sterk groei getoon het, aan
iemand oor te dra wat oor voldoende kapasiteit
daarvoor beskik.
Die Genootskap wil Sonja graag van harte bedank
vir haar harde werk oor ‘n periode van ongeveer
10 jaar, en wens haar alles wat mooi is vir toe
toekoms toe. Ons beste wense vergesel haar!
Verwelkoming van Lizanne Vermeulen
Die Meatmaster Skaaptelersgenootskap is na
deeglike oorweging aan Lizanne Vermeulen
toegeken. Lizanne is reeds ‘n klompie jare
in die diens van die Sekretariaat en is tans
verantwoordelik vir die administrasie van die
Dormer Skaaptelersgenootskap, asook die
Suffolk Skaaptelersgenootskap. Lizanne is
dus goed onderleg met die administrasie van
Skaaptelersgenootskappe.
10 2019 MEATMASTER
Goodbye to Sonja Wasserman
The Meatmaster Sheep Breeders’ Society was
initially run by a company in Brandfort, but the
Society approached the Secretariat in 2009 to
deliver an administrative service. The Society,
with about ten members, was taken over by the
Secretariat, and Sonja Wasserman was appointed
as secretary.
At that time, Sonja was one of the most experienced
secretaries at the Secretariat and, despite a very
full programme, has done pioneering work to help
build the Meatmaster Society up to the organisation
it is today. Her tireless efforts to serve the Society
and its breeders will always be appreciated. Over
the years, good friendships with the breeders have
been developed, where Sonja’s particular sense of
humour and vivacity will always be remembered
with affection.
Sonja was placed in the unenviable position where
she had to bear responsibility for four societies.
Eventually, the burden has simply become too
heavy and so it was decided to transfer the
Meatmaster Society, one of the strongly growing
societies, to someone who had sufficient capacity
for it.
The Society would like to thank Sonja
wholeheartedly for her hard work over a period of
about ten years, and wishes her all that is good for
the future. Our best wishes go with her!
Welcome to Lizanne Vermeulen
After careful consideration, the Meatmaster Sheep
Breeders’ Association was allotted to Lizanne
Vermeulen. Lizanne has been in the service of
the Secretariat for some years and is currently
responsible for the administration of the Dormer
Sheep Breeders’ Society and the Suffolk Sheep
Breeders’ Society. Lizanne is thus experienced in
the administration of sheep breeders’ societies.
One of the pleasant characteristics of Lizanne is
that she is very possessive of the societies that
are assigned to her and she always champions
her societies. She takes full ownership of “her”
MEATMASTER 2019 11
Een van die mooi eienskappe van Lizanne is dat sy
baie besitlik is op die Genootskappe wat aan haar
toegedeel is, en tree altyd vir haar genootskappe in
die bresse. Sy neem volle eienaarskap van “haar”
Genootskappe en bou goeie verhoudings op met
die raadslede en die telers.
Alhoewel die Meatmastergenootskap tot ‘n groot
mate van die interne kundigheid van raadslede
gebruik maak om hul Joernaal te finaliseer, is die
ander genootskappe op Lizanne aangewese om hul
Joernale saam te stel. Daar is groot waardering vir
die manier waarop Lizanne die telers met hul werk
ondersteun, asook vir die samestelling van die
Joernale en ander werk wat vir die Genootskappe
gedoen word.
Ons vertrou dat Lizanne spoedig by die Meatmaster-
famillie sal inskakel en gou in die harte van die
telers sal inkruip. Die Genootskap verwelkom haar
graag in hul midde en sien daarna uit om saam
met haar te werk.
Lizanne se kontakbesonderhede is as volg:
Telefoon: 051- 4100 968
E-posadres: lizanne@stemma.co.za
12 2019 MEATMASTER
societies and builds good relationships with the
members of the council and the breeders.
Although the Meatmaster Association uses, to a
large extent, the internal expertise of members
of the Council to finalise its journal, the other
associations are dependent on Lizanne to compile
their journals. Great appreciation exists for the
way Lizanne supports the breeders with their work,
as well as for the compilation of the journals and
other work done for the societies.
We trust that Lizanne will soon be at home at the
Meatmaster family and have a special place in
the affections of the breeders. The Society gladly
welcomes her in their midst and looks forward to
working with her.
Lizanne’s contact details are as follows:
Telephone number: 051-4100 968
Email: lizanne@stemma.co.za
 KAN EK MET MEATMASTERS BOER SONDER OM HULLE VIR
HAARWURM TE DOSEER?
CAN I FARM WITH MEATMASTERS WITHOUT
VACCINATING THEM FOR WIREWORM?
In 2014 het ons vanaf die Noordkaap na
Ventersdorp in die Noordwesprovinsie
verhuis. Natuurlik is dit heeltemal ander
omstandighede en het ons aanvaar dat dit
‘n tyd sou neem voordat ons skape aan
die nuwe omstandighede gewoond sou
wees. Die kudde wat toe uit ‘n baie droë
Noordkaap gekom het, het van die eerste
dag af lekker dik gewei en sommer goed
vertoon. Wat sou dan die probleem wees?
Waarom sou so baie skape uit ander dele
van die land nie op die grasveld aanpas
nie? Haarwurm.
Ja, haarwurm was die een probleem wat sommer
dadelik kop uitgesteek het. Aanvanklik het ons
net aanvaar dat ons ‘n beter doseerprogram
sou moes volg. Dit het egter nie ons probleem
volkome opgelos nie. Dit het gehelp, ja, maar dit
was duidelik dat ons ‘n skaap sou moes teel wat
geneties sterker is teen inwendige parasiete. Ons
het nog altyd die diere wat sakke onder die keel
gemaak het, uit ons kudde uitgegooi. Ons het nog
altyd ooie wat te maer was, geslag. Maar nou het
ons vet ooie gehad wat sommer net vrek. Met ‘n
lang draai het ons by die FAMACHA (FAffa MAlan
CHArt) -stelsel uitgekom.
Hoe werk die FAMACHA-stelsel? Dit is ‘n
doseerstelsel waar slegs die diere wat dit nodig
het, gedoseer word. Die vyf punte waarop ‘n skaap
geoordeel word, is ‘n snotneus, ‘n kwakkeel, die
kleur van die oogvliese, die skaap se kondisie
en of die skaap se pens gedurig werk of nie. Die
FAMACHA-stelsel is nié net die kyk van oogvliese
nie!
Hoe moet die oogvliese dan lyk? Oogvliese wat
donkerrooi is, is gewoonlik ‘n aanduiding van
‘n skaap wat nie te erg met parasiete sukkel nie.
Oogvliese wat lig van kleur is, is ‘n aanduiding van
bloedarmoede. Bloedarmoede kan deur meer as
net een faktor veroorsaak word, maar haarwurm
is een van die grootste oorsake. Vet skape kry ook
haarwurm en vrek ook van haarwurm, maar skape
wat in swakker toestande loop, kry dit net baie
makliker en vrek baie makliker daarvan.
In 2014, we moved from the Northern
Cape to Ventersdorp in the North-West
Province. Of course it posed quite
different conditions and we assumed that
it would take some time for our sheep
to adapt to the new circumstances. The
flock, coming from the very dry Northern
Cape, grazed to their hearts’ content
from their arrival and seemed to be
thriving. So, what would be the problem?
Why would so many sheep from other
parts of the country not adapt to the
grassveld? Wireworm.
Yes, wireworm was the one problem that
immediately reared its ugly head. Initially, we just
assumed that we should follow a better vaccination
programme. However, this did not completely
solve our problem. Yes, it helped a lot. But it was
clear that we would have to breed a sheep that was
genetically stronger against internal parasites. We
always got rid of animals that developed a swelling
under the throat. We always culled ewes that were
too lean. But now we have fat ewes that just died.
In a roundabout way we discovered the FAMACHA
(FAffa MAlan CHArt) system.
How does the FAMACHA system work? This is a
vaccination system where only those animals that
need it are vaccinated. The five points on which
a sheep is judged are a discharge at the nose,
swelling under the throat, the colour of the eye
membrane, the sheep’s condition and diarrhoea.
The FAMACHA system does not involve checking
the eye membranes only!
What should the eye membrane look like? If it is
dark red, it is usually indicative of a sheep that
does not have too much problems with parasites.
Eye membranes that are light in colour are an
indication of anaemia. Anaemia can be caused
by various factors, but wireworm is one of the
main causes. Fat sheep can also be infected by
wireworm and may die from wireworm, but sheep
kept in poorer conditions are infected (and killed)
by it much easier.
MEATMASTER 2019 13
Ons het dus met ‘n stelsel begin waar ons jong
ramme op die veld toets. Elke maand word al
die jong ramme geweeg en al die ramme word
volgens die FAMACHA-stelsel geoordeel. Indien ‘n
ram gedoseer moet word, word hy met ‘n klein rooi
plaatjie in die oor gemerk. Skielik was stoetboerdery
iets heel anders. Ek het besef hoe baie plek daar
vir verbetering is. Van die ramme wat nooit my
gunstelinge was nie, het geen parasietprobleme
gehad nie, en van my gunstelingramme het so
gesukkel dat ek hulle moes slag. Ramme wat
gedoseer word, word egter nie net voor die voet
geslag nie. Ons probeer ‘n oordeelkundige besluit
maak deur al die data tot ons beskikking te gebruik.
‘n Ram wat ‘n tweede maal gedoseer word, gaan
sommer dadelik slagtrop toe. Uit die eerste 60 jong
ramme is daar 20 wat die toets voltooi het. Vir ons
boerdery was dit die begin van ‘n nuwe era.
Met ons ooilammers werk ons min of meer
dieselfde, behalwe dat hulle nie elke maand
geweeg word en so intensief hanteer word nie.
Indien ‘n ooitjie gedoseer word, kry sy ‘n plaatjie in
die oor. Ons sal wel met so ‘n ooitjie teel indien sy
‘n besonderse ooi is, maar die gemiddelde ooitjies
wat gedoseer word, word vinnig uitgeskot. Met
die volwasse ooie moet ’n mens baie versigtig
wees om sommer net op te hou om te doseer. Dit
ís immers jou fabriek, en ons moet almal steeds
‘n inkomste uit ons boerdery bly maak. Ons is
egter nou op die punt waar slegs ongeveer 10%
van ons volwasse ooie deur die jaar vir haarwurm
gedoseer word, en hulle word ook met ‘n plaatjie
gemerk. In ons deel van die land sukkel ons erg
met haarwurm vanaf Februarie tot Mei.
Ons het tot die besef gekom dat ons glad nie
parasietweerstand aan ‘n sekere tipe skaap kan
koppel nie. Dit is iets wat jy moet toets. Ons kan ook
glad nie sê dat ‘n sekere tipe ram by ons meer groei
in ons toets toon as ‘n ander tipe ram nie, maar
slegs dat die ram met die beste parasietweerstand
beter in ons omstandighede groei as wat ’n ram
met ’n swakker parasietweerstand sal groei. Ons
selekteer vir ‘n vetter tipe skaap met ‘n goeie
parasietweerstand. Ek glo dat so ‘n skaap goed sal
aanpas oor ‘n baie groot deel van ons land.
Die vraag is of ek met Meatmasters kan boer
sonder om hulle vir haarwurm te doseer. Ek glo
dat daar ‘n dag sal kom wat ek in ons deel van die
land met my skape sal boer met min of selfs geen
haarwurmprobleme nie. ’n Mens moet net baie
versigtig wees om nie onverantwoordelik te boer
nie. Doen jou navorsing voor jy begin boer, en pas
die diere en die grond wat in jou hande geplaas is,
op.
Nico Grobler
14 2019 MEATMASTER
So, we started with a system where our young
rams are being tested on the field. Each month,
all the young rams are weighed and judged
according to the FAMACHA system. If a ram needs
to be vaccinated, he is marked with a small red
tag in the ear. Suddenly, stud farming became
quite a different matter. I realised how much
space there was for improvement. Some of the
rams that had never been my favourites had no
parasite problems, and some of my favourite rams
struggled so much that they had to be slaughtered.
Rams that are vaccinated are not just slaughtered
indiscriminately. We try to make a sound decision
by using all the data available to us. A ram
vaccinated for the second time immediately goes
to the slaughter flock. Out of the first 60 young
rams, 20 completed the test. For our farm, it was
the beginning of a new era.
We work more or less the same with our ewe
lambs, except that they are not weighed every
month and not handled so intensively. If a young
ewe is vaccinated, she is tagged in the ear. She
can be bred if she is special, but average ewes that
have been vaccinated are culled. With the adult
ewes, one has to be very careful not to stop dosing
them. After all, this is one’s factory and one still
needs to make a living from the farm. However, we
are now at the point where only about 10% of our
adult ewes are vaccinated for wireworm during
the year and they are also tagged. In our part of
the country, wireworm is a huge problem from
February to May.
We have come to the realisation that we cannot
connect parasite resistance to a specific type of
sheep. This is something you should test. We
also cannot say that a particular type of ram here
shows more growth in our test than another type
of ram, but only that the ram with the best parasite
resistance grows better in our conditions than a
ram with a weaker parasite resistance grows. We
select for a fatter type of sheep with good parasite
resistance. I believe that such a sheep will adapt
well in most areas of our country.
The initial question was whether I could farm
with Meatmasters without vaccinating them for
wireworm. I believe the day will come when I will
farm with sheep in this part of the country with little
or no wireworm problems. However, one needs to
be very careful not to farm irresponsibly. Do your
research before you start farming and look after
the animals and the land in your care.
Nico Grobler
MEATMASTER 2019 15
 Verwantskap tussen gewig
en sekere liggaamsmates
by Meatmaster ramme-
voorlopige resultate
Relationship between body
weight and certain body
measurements of Meatmaster
rams- preliminary results
Inleiding
Die dele waar daar met Meatmasters geboer word
ontvang oor die algemeen min reën en diere
word aan strawwe toestande blootgestel. Ten
spyte hiervan het die ras geweldige vooruitgang
oor die afgelope klompie jare gemaak en is tans
die vinnigste groeiende skaapras in Suid-Afrika.
Fenotipiese modifikasie as ‘n evolusionôre
aanpassing vir harde klimaatstoestande kan gesien
word in rasse wat aangepas is vir semi-ariede
omgewings. Hierdie rasse is morfologies aangepas
en beskik oor lang bene om oor lang afstande te
kan migreer na beter weiding. Hulle liggaamsvorm
is aangepas om vogverlies te beperk en om meer
hittebestand te wees, neig hulle ook om kleiner te
wees as Europese rasse (Naqvi., 2013).
Aangepaste rasse neig ook om meer vet lokalisasie
te hê, spesifiek in die stert area wat help met hitte
verspreiding en ook as ‘n energiebron ten tyde van
voedselskaarstse (Atti et al., 2004). In hul stryd om
oorlewing in ariede en semi-ariede omgewings
moet diere water bewaar. Sekere skaaprasse toon
verstommende fisiologiese aanpassings in ‘n
poging om water onder harde droë toestande te
bewaar. Hulle beskik oor die vermoeë om fetale
vog en hul volume urine te verminder, soveel
so dat die urine van aangepaste diere baie meer
gekonsentreerd is (McNab, 2002).
Dieselfde fenotipiese aanpassings kan gesien word
in die Hassawi beeste van Saudi-Arabia. Hulle is
kleiner met ‘n volwasse koeigewig van slegs 150kg
to 200kg, terwyl die bulle 210-270kg weeg. Hulle
lae liggaamsgewig help in tye van kosskaarste
aangesien kleiner diere minder kos benodig. Hulle
het lang bene met ‘n fyner beenstruktuur wat
beweging oor lang afstande op soek na weiding
vergemaklik.
16 2019 MEATMASTER
Prof Pieter Fourie & Stephan Becker
Department of Agriculture, Central
University of Technology, Free State,
Private Bag X20539, Bloemfontein, 9300,
South Africa
Prof Pieter Fourie & Stephan Becker
Department Landbou, Sentrale Universiteit
van Tegnologie, Vrystaat, Privaatsak Bag
X20539, Bloemfontein, 9300
Introduction
The areas where Meatmasters are farmed with
are mostly receiving low rainfall and animals are
exposed to harsh conditions. Despite this, the
breed has excelled over the past few years and is
currently the fastest growing sheep breed in South
Africa. Phenotypic modification as an evolutionary
adaptation to harsh climate can be seen in
sheep breeds that is adapted to semi-arid and
arid environments. These breeds typically have
morphological adaptations like long legs for the
purpose of long migrations after better vegetation.
Their body shape and size has also adapted as to
deal with water loss and heat tolerance, they tend
to be smaller in size than European breeds (Naqvi.,
2013). Adapted sheep breeds tend to show fat
localization, specifically to the tail, this helps with
heat conductance to the outside and also surfs
as an energy reserve in periods of times of feed
scarcity (Atti et al., 2004).
In the battle for survival in arid and semi-arid
enviroments animals need to conserve water. Some
sheep breeds show some amazing physiology
adaptations in the attempt to conserve water in
these harsh environments. They have the ability
to reduce fecal moisture and urine volume. The
Henlé loops, situated in the medulla of the kidney,
are mainly responsible for the retention of water
from urine. The adapted sheep breeds tend to
produce more concentrated urine (McNab, 2002).
The same phenotypical adaptations can be seen
in the Hassawi cattle from Saudi-Arabia. They are
small in size, mature body weight of bulls is 210kg
to 270kg, and the cows only weigh 150kg to 200kg.
The adaptation of small size helps them in times
of food scarcity, a smaller animal needs less food.
These cattle have long legs with fine and light
bones, this helps with them being able to move
MEATMASTER 2019 17
Die kleur van die vel is ligrooi met ‘n donker
gepigmenteerde vel en blink hare wat beskerm
teen die ultraviolet strale van die son. Die ooglede,
neusspieël en uitwendige geslagsorgane is ook
gepigmenteerd. Die ore van die diere is groter
in vergelyking met die van Indiese rasse, wat ‘n
aanduiding kan wees dat groter ore ‘n aanpassing
vir warmer klimaatstoestande is. Die nek van
die Hassawi ras is kort in beide die manlike en
vroulike diere, maar dik by die manlike- en dun
by die vroulike diere. Hulle het ‘n groot en goed
gedefinieerde skof (Mohammed, 1997).
Bosman (2011) verwys na die “metaboliese of
Euro” en die “respiratoriese of Indicus” tipe.
Laasgenoemde tipe is dieper in die voorkwart, die
bene is langer, kruis hang meer en is relatief platter
deur die ribbes is. Die ribbes lê ook skuinser na
agter. Indicus tipes het 15% meer vel as Euro tipes
wat liggaamshitte regulering meer effektief maak.
Hierteenoor is die Euro tipes meer bespierd, breër
oor die rug met ‘n ronder bouvorm. Hulle velle
is ook dunner tewyl die bedekking meer wollerig
is om hitte meer effektief binne te hou. Figuur 1
hieronder verduidelik die verskille in bouvorm.
Wanneer daar egter na die bouvorm en visuele
eienskappe van die Meatmaster gekyk word is dit
duidelik dat die ras oor heelwat eienskappe van die
respiratoriese tipe beskik. Die uitdaging is egter
om ‘n balans te vind tussen bouvorm en optimale
produksie gegewe die uiteenlopende toestande
waaronder met die ras geboer word.
Liggaamsgrootte en vorm kan beskryf word deur
van liggaamsmates en visuele beoordeling gebruik
te maak.
Hoe hierdie metings van grootte en vorm
assosieer met die funksionering van die dier is
van kardinale belang in diereproduksie. Baie rasse
is al verongeluk deurdat skouvorms nagejaag is,
daarom is voortdurende gesprekke en aksies nodig
om die verwantskap tussen liggaams dimensies en
produksie te verifieer.
Die doel van die studie was om verwantskap
tussen gewig en sekere liggaamsmates van
Meatmasterramme wat onder ekstensiewe
toestande grootgemaak is te bepaal aangesien
dit wetenskaplike ondersteuning aan sekere
rasstandaarde bv. gewig kan verskaf. Dis belangrik
om te noem dat die data uit fase 1 van die studie
bekom is, en slegs uit een kudde se data bestaan.
‘n Baie meer omvattende verslag sal volgende jaar
gepubliseer word.
18 2019 MEATMASTER
over long distances in search of food. The colour of
the coat is light red with dark pigmented skin and
glossy hair, which protects against solar radiation.
The eyelids, muzzle and external genetailia is
pigmented. The ears of the cattle are large even
in comparison with Indian breeds, leading to the
conclusion larger ears is an adaptation for extreme
warm climate. The necks of the Hassawi breed is
short in both male and female, but thick in the male
animals and thin in females. They have a reduced
dewlap with a large and well defined hump
(Mohammed, 1997).
Bosman (2006) refers to the “metabolic or Euro”
versus the “respiratory or Indicus” type. The latter
are deeper in the front quarter, have longer legs,
droopier rump and are slightly flatter over the ribs,
with the ribs angling slightly backwards. Indicus
types also have 15% more skin than the Euro
types which assist with temperature regulation.
Conversely, the Euro types are more muscled,
broader over the back with a rounder conformation,
thinner skin and a woollier coat, adapted to keep
in heat in the colder climate of Europe. Figure 1
lower down explains these differences. If the
conformation and traits of the Meatmaster is
considered it is evident that the breed displays
several of the traits of the respiratory type. The
challenge however, is to find a find balance between
conformation and optimal production considering
the diverse conditions where it is farmed with.
Body size and shape can be described using body
measurements and visual assessment. How these
measurements of size and shape relate to the
functioning of the individual animal is of paramount
importance to livestock production. Therefore,
constant checks on the relationships between body
dimensions and production performance are vital.
The objective of this study was to determine
the relationship between the body weight of
Meatmaster rams managed under extensive
conditions and certain body measurements, as
it may provide scientific support to certain breed
standards eg. mature weight. However, these
results were obtained from phase one of the study
where only one herd was involved. A much more
comprehensive report will be published next year.
 Breeding for hardiness against heartwater and wireworm
MEATMASTER 2019 19
M a l e l a n e , M p u m a l a n g a | Rachel Fouche: 076 698 3990 | rachelfouche@hotmail.co.za
Figuur 1: Verskille tussen die metabolise en
respiratoriese tipe (Bosman, 2011).
Materiaal en metodes
Een honderd Meatmaster ramme ongeveer
17maande oud is in die studie gebruik. Alle
ramme is onder ekstensiewe veld toestande in die
Ooskaap grootgemaak en vir een maand op die
veld afgerond.
Die volgende is gemeet:
i. Gewig (kg),
ii. Kop lengte (cm);
iii. Nek lengte (cm);
iv. Teenwoordigheid van horings waar 0= geen
horings, 1= klein horings en 2= sterk horings
v. Stert lengte (cm);
vi. Skouer hoogte (cm), gemeet van die grond tot
by die boonste punt van die skouer,
vii. Skouer breedte (cm), gemeet van bo af as die
breedste punt;
viii.
Hartomtrek (cm), gemeet net agter die
voorbene om die bors van die dier;
20 2019 MEATMASTER
Figure 1: Differences between the metabolic and
respiratory type (Bosman, 2011).
Materials and methods
One hundred Meatmaster rams approximately 17
months old were used in the trial. All the animals
were raised under extensive veld conditions in the
Eastern Cape State and then slightly conditioned
for one month.
The following parameters were
recorded at the end of the trial:
i. Body weight (kg);
ii. Head length (cm);
iii. Neck length (cm);
iv. Presence of horns where 0= no horns, 1= small
horns; 2 strong horns
v. Tail length (cm);
vi. Shoulder height (cm), measured vertically
from the thoracic vertebrae to the ground;
vii. Shoulder width (cm), determined with the aid
of a calliper, as the horizontal distance between
the processes on the left shoulder and that on
the right shoulder blade;
viii. Heart girth (cm), measure just behind the front
legs around the chest of the animal;
ix. Lyflengte (cm) gemeet van die voorste ronding
van die bladbeen tot by die sitbeen;
x. Agterkwart breedte gemeet as die afstand
tussen die linker en regter draaibeen;
xi. Skrotumomtrek is gemeet as die breedste punt
van die skrotum (cm);
xii. Bedekking was gekategoriseer as 1= baie
glad, 2= glad met oorwegend haar, 3= ideale
mengsel van haar en sagte wol en 4 meer
wollerig;
xiii. Manlikheid (sekondêre manlikheideienskappe)
is gepunt op ‘n vyfpunt-skaal waar 5= uitstaande
manlikheid en 1= baie swak manlikheid en
karakter;
ix. Body length (cm) as measured from the
sternum (manubrium) to the pin bine;
x. Hind quarter width was measured as the
distance between the left and right thurl;
xi. Scrotal circumference was measured at the
widest point of the scrotum (cm);
xii. Coat type was categorized as 1 very slick hair, 2
slick, 3 ideal mixture of hair and fine wool and
4 more woolly coat;
xiii. Masculinity (secondary masculinity traits)
were pointed on a five-point scale where
5 represents exceptional masculinity and
1 represents very poor masculinity and
character;
xiv. Scrotal circumference (cm);
xv. Tail length (cm);

Resultate en bespreking Results and Discussion

Gewig is ‘n veranderlike wat dikwels bepaal word
om groei te evalueer (Otte et al., 1992). Alhoewel
dit ‘n belangrike aanduider van groei is kan dit
nie die dier se samestelling bepaal nie. Ander
metings wat algemeen by skape en beeste gebruik
word is hartomtrek (HO), skouerhoogte (SH) en
lyflengte (LL). Van al die metings word HO egter
algemeen as die mees betroubaarste aanduiding
van groei beskou (Benyi, 1997). Swanepoel
(1984) het skouerhoogte as ‘n goeie indikasie
van groei by beeste beskou. Skrotumomtrek as
indikator van testesgrootte is hoog gekorrileerd
met spermproduksie en semen kwaliteit by
bulle (Hoogenboezem, 1995). In Tabel 1 word die
gemiddelde waardes soos gemeet aangedui.
Body weight (BW) is a frequently recorded variable
in animal research. It is the measurement mostly
used to evaluate growth (Otte et al., 1992). Although
it is an important indicator of growth, it fails to
indicate the composition of the animals. Other
measurements most commonly used in sheep and
cattle include heart girth (HG), shoulder height (SH)
and body length (BL). However, heart girth (HG)
is generally accepted as the single most reliable
variable (Benyi, 1997) for growth. Swanepoel (1984)
also regards shoulder height as a good indication
of growth in cattle. Scrotal circumference, as an
indicator of testes size, is highly correlated with
sperm production and semen quality in growing
bulls (Hoogenboezem, 1995). In Table 1 the mean
values for the different parameters are indicated.

Tabel 1. Gemiddelde waardes soos gemeet tydens

die studie. Table 1. Average values of the different body
measurements.

Veranderlike Gemiddeld Parameter Average

Lyflengte (cm) 80.8 Body length (cm) 80.8

Gewig (kg) 81.4 Body weight (kg) 81.4

Skouer hoogte (cm) 70.1 Shoulder height (cm) 70.1

Skouer breedte (cm) 23.8 Shoulder width (cm) 23.8

Hartomtrek(cm) 104.9 Heart girth (cm) 104.9
Borsdiepte (cm) 38.1 Chest depth 38.1
Agterkwart breedte (cm) 25.4 Hindquarter width (cm) 25.4
Kop lengte (cm) 23.4 Head length (cm) 23.4
Nek lengte (cm) 24.7 Neck length (cm) 24.7
Stert lengte (cm) 37.3 Tail length (cm) 37.3

Skrotumomtrek (cm) 36.1 Scrotal circumference (cm) 36.1

n = 101 n = 101

MEATMASTER 2019 21
Die gemiddelde gewig van die ramme was 81.4kg
wat ‘n aanduiding is dat die ramme nie oorvet
was nie. Die hoogste korrelasie van 0.76 (76%) is
gevind tussen HO en gewig GW. Die korrelasie
is selfs hoër as die korrelasie tussen LL en GW
(66%). Campbell (1983) het korrelasies van 0.72
tussen HO en GW en ‘n korrelasie van 0.74 tussen
LL en GW by Dorperramme gerapporteer. Die laer
korrelasie van 52% tussen GW en borsdiepte kan
verklaar word deur sekere ramme wat diep in die
voorkwart is, maar min breedte het en dus oor
minder kapasiteit beskik. Hartomtrek neem linieêr
toe soos ramme ouer word Heinrichs & Hargrove
(1994) en Mulaudzi (2000).
Skouerhoogte, wat gesien word as ‘n goeie
indikator van raamgrootte (Vargas et al., 1998) is
medium gekorrileerd met GW (0.5). Grootte kan
belangrike biologiese voordele hê ten opsigte van
aanpassing by klimaat, veldtipe en bemarking
(Dickerson, 1978). Groter diere groei gewoonlik
vinniger, maar is gewoonlik later ryp as kleinraam
diere terwyl grootraam diere ook meer voer
sal vreet as kleiner diere (Schoeman & De Wet,
1993). Die meeste rasse streef egter na medium
raam diere. Die Meatmaster telers moet ook
daarteen waak om diere te groot te teel aangesien
funksionele doeltrefffendheid in die meeste gevalle
ingeboet sal word.
Skrotumomtrek word as ‘n belangrike komponent
beskou wanneer ramme se vrugbaarheid
ondersoek word. Verskeie navorsers het aangedui
dat skrotumomtrek geneties en fenotipies
gekorreleerd is met belangrike groei-eienskappe
en ander liggaamsmates (Kriese et al., 1991;
Keeton et al., 1996). Hierdie bevindings is egter
in teenstelling met wat Maiwashe (2000) bevind
het aangesien ‘n korrelasie van feitlik nul tussen
skrotumomtrek en naspeense GDT by Bonsmaras
gerapporteer is. Swanepoel & Heyns (1986) het
bevind dat voorspeense groei ‘n groter invloed op
testesomtrek as naspeense groei by Simmentaler
bulle het. Die meerderheid ramme het geen
horings nie en daar was ook nie ‘n betekenisvolle
verskil tussen die testesomtrek van ramme met
en die sonder horings nie. Bedekking het nie ‘n
betekenisvolle verwantskap met enige eienskap
getoon nie. Kop lengte was 41% gekorrileerd met
beide gewig en lyflengte.
Gevolgtrekkings
Dit is reeds duidelik dat die liggaamsmates en
dimensies van die Meatmaster in die meeste
gevalle baie van die van ander Suid-Afrikaanse
vleisrasse verskil. Die hoë positiewe korrelasie
tussen hartomtrek en gewig beklemtoon die
belangrikheid van seleksie vir ramme met meer
robuuste en dieper voorkwarte. Fourie et al. (2003)
het korrelasies van (0.43-0.59) tussen hartomtrek
22 2019 MEATMASTER
The mean weight of the rams was 81.4kg which
is an indication that the rams were not over
conditioned. The highest correlation of 0.76 (76%)
was found between heart girth (HG) and body
weight (BW). This correlation is even higher than
the correlation between body length (BL) and
body weight (66%). Campbell (1983) reported
correlations of 0.72 between HG and BW and a
correlation of 0.74 between BL and BW in Dorper
rams. The lower correlation of 52% between BW
and chest depth can be explained by the fact
that some rams are deep in the front quarter but,
shows poor width and therefore has less capacity.
According to Heinrichs & Hargrove (1994) and
Mulaudzi (2000) heart girth increases linearly with
age in cattle. This is in agreement with the results
found in this study.
Shoulder height, which is regarded as a good
indicator of frame size (Vargas et al., 1998) is
medium correlated with BW (0.5). Body size may
have very important biological advantages for
adaptation to climate, feed resources, seasonal
grazing and marketing (Dickerson, 1978). Larger
animals normally grow faster, but will take longer
to reach the same stage of maturity than smaller
animals, and will consume more food than smaller
animals (Schoeman & De Wet, 1993). Most breeds
strive for a medium frame animal. The Meatmaster
breeders must also be careful not to breed animals
which are too big as functional efficiency will be
sacrificed in most cases.
Scrotal circumference (SC) is also an important
component in examining animals for breeding
soundness. Various researchers have indicated
that SC is genetically and phenotypically
correlated with important growth traits and other
body measurements used in most selection
programmes (Kriese et al., 1991; Keeton et al.,
1996). This is, however, in contrast with Maiwashe
(2000) who reported correlations close to zero
between scrotal circumference and post-weaning
ADG in Bonsmara cattle. In an investigation into
the relationship between growth parameters
and scrotal circumference in Simmentaler bulls,
Swanepoel & Heyns (1986) found that pre-weaning
growth has a more significant influence on
testicular development than post-weaning growth.
The majority of rams did not have any horns and
there was also no difference between the testicular
circumference of rams with horns and those
without.
Body length is low-medium correlated with HG
(0.43) and medium correlated with shoulder height
(52%). Maiwashe (2000) and Vermeulen (2001)
reported high positive correlations of 0.76 and
0.61 respectively between BL and SH. The same
tendency, although less dramatic, was observed in
this study. Head length was 41% correlated with
both weight and body length. Coat type showed no
significant correlation with any parameter.
MEATMASTER 2019 23
en naspeense groei by Dorperramme gerapporteer.
Skrotumomtrek en gewig hou nie verband met
mekaar nie.
Visuele beoordeling gemik op die bevordering van
funksionele doeltreffendheid wat gedoen word
in gesonde balans met prestasiedata, stambome
en teelwaardes het besonderse goeie resultate
in ander veebedrywe opgelewer, en behoort heel
waarskynlik ook te werk in die Meatmaster bedryf.
Bronnelys
Atti N., Bocquiet F., Khaldi G., 2004. Performance of the
fat-tailed Barbarine sheep in its environment:
Adaptive capacity to alternation of underfeeding and
refeeding periods. A review. Animal Research 53: 165-
176.
Benyi, K., 1997. Estimation of live weight from chest
girth in pure and crossbred West African goats.
Tropical Animal Health and Production 29, 124-128.
Bosman, D.J., 2011. “Voordele van ‘n inheemse ras”.
Praatjie gelewer by die Frankfort boeredag.
Dickerson, G.E., 1978. Animal size and efficiency: Basic
concepts. Anim. Prod. 27, 367-379.
Fourie, P.J., Neser F.W.C., Olivier, J.J & van der
Westhuizen C. 2002. Relationship between production
performance and body measurements of Dorper rams.
S. Afr. J. Anim. Sci. Vol 32 (4), 256-262.
Heinrichs, A.J. & Hargrove. G.L., 1994. Standards of
weight and height for Ayrshire, Brown Swiss and Milking
Shorthorn heifers. Journal of Dairy Science 81, 1479-
1482.
Hoogenboezem, J.M., 1995. Zootechnological aspects of
bull fertility evaluation. M.Sc. thesis, University of the
Orange Free Sate, South Africa.
Keeton, L.L.; Green, R.D.; Golden, B.L. & Anderson,
K.J., 1996. Estimation of variance components and
prediction of breeding values for scrotal circumference
and weaning weight in Limousin cattle. J. Anim. Sci. 74:
31-36.
Kriese, L.A.; Bertrand, J.K. & Benyshek, L.L., 1991. Age
adjustment factors, heritabilities and genetic correlations
for SC and related growth traits in Hereford and Brangus
bulls. J. Anim. Sci 69, 478-489.
McNab B.K., 2002. The physiological ecology of
vertebrates. Comstock Publishing Associates, Cornell
University Press, Ithaca, New York, USA.
Mohammed. J., Abegaz. S., Lakew. M. & Tarekegn. G.M.;
2018.; Phenotypic characterization of Dorper.;
Local sheep and their crossbred sheep population in
North Eastern Amhara, Ethiopia.; Journal of for SC and related growth traits in Hereford and Brangus
biology, Agriculture and healthcare, ISSN 2224-3208.
Maiwashe, A.N., 2000. The value of recording body
measurements in beef cattle. M.Sc. Thesis, University of
the Orange Free Sate, South Africa.
Mulaudzi, J., 2000. An integrated system of growth trait
improvement in beef cattle under communal 2018.; Phenotypic characterization of Dorper.;
management conditions. M. Tech. Thesis, Technikon Free
State, South Africa.
24 2019 MEATMASTER
Conclusions
At this early stage it is evident that the body
dimensions of the Meatmaster is in some cases
much different from those of other South African
mutton breeds. The high positive correlation
between heart girth and body weight emphasize
the importance of selecting rams with a deeper
and more robust front quarter. Fourie et al. (2003)
reported a correlation of (0.43-0.59) between heart
girth and post wean growth in young Dorper rams.
The low to medium correlation between scrotal
circumference and body weight indicates that
growth potential and reproductive ability are not
strongly compliant in young rams.
Visual appraisal directed at functional efficiency
in a balanced combination with performance
test results, breeding values and pedigrees has
been a winning combination in the beef cattle
industry, and should most probably also be in the
Meatmaster industry.
References
Atti N., Bocquiet F., Khaldi G., 2004. Performance of the
fat-tailed Barbarine sheep in its environment:
Adaptive capacity to alternation of underfeeding and
refeeding periods. A review. Animal Research 5 3 :
165-176.
Benyi, K., 1997. Estimation of live weight from chest
girth in pure and crossbred West African goats.
Tropical Animal Health and Production 29, 124-128.
Bosman, D.J., 2011. “Voordele van ‘n inheemse ras”.
Praatjie gelewer by die Frankfort boeredag.
Dickerson, G.E., 1978. Animal size and efficiency: Basic
concepts. Anim. Prod. 27, 367-379.
Fourie, P.J., Neser F.W.C., Olivier, J.J & van der
Westhuizen C. 2002. Relationship between production
performance and body measurements of Dorper rams.
S. Afr. J. Anim. Sci. Vol 32 (4), 256-262.
Heinrichs, A.J. & Hargrove. G.L., 1994. Standards of
weight and height for Ayrshire, Brown Swiss and Milking
Shorthorn heifers. Journal of Dairy Science 81, 1479-
1482.
Hoogenboezem, J.M., 1995. Zootechnological aspects of
bull fertility evaluation. M.Sc. thesis, University of the
Orange Free Sate, South Africa.
Keeton, L.L.; Green, R.D.; Golden, B.L. & Anderson,
K.J., 1996. Estimation of variance components and
prediction of breeding values for scrotal circumference
and weaning weight in Limousin cattle. J. Anim. Sci. 74:
31-36.
Kriese, L.A.; Bertrand, J.K. & Benyshek, L.L., 1991. Age
adjustment factors, heritabilities and genetic correlations
bulls. J. Anim. Sci 69, 478-489.
McNab B.K., 2002. The physiological ecology of
vertebrates. Comstock Publishing Associates, Cornell
University Press, Ithaca, New York, USA.
Mohammed. J., Abegaz. S., Lakew. M. & Tarekegn. G.M.;
Local sheep and their crossbred sheep population in
North Eastern Amhara, Ethiopia.; Journal of
biology, Agriculture and healthcare, ISSN 2224-3208.
Otte, M.J.; Woods, A.J. & Abuabara, Y., 1992. Live
weight estimation of cattle by scale and tape-A
method comparison study. Tropical Animal Health and
Production 24, 109-114.
Schoeman, S.J. & De Wet, R., 1993. A comparison
between female lambs of the Dorper and two synthetic
composites with respect to feed intake, growth and
efficiency. S. Afr. Tydskr. Veek.23, 4-12.
Swanepoel, F.C.J., 1984. Die verwantskap tussen
liggaamsmate en prestasie van Simentalerbulle. M.Sc.
Agric. Dissertation, University of the Orange Free Sate,
South Africa.
Swanepoel, F.J.C. & Heyns, H., 1986. Relationship
between growth parameters and scrotal circumference
in Simmentaler bulls. S. Afr. J. Anim. Sci. 16, 218.
Vargas, C.A.; Elzo, M.A.; Chase, C.C.; Chenoweth, P.J. &
Olson, T.A., 1998. Estimation of genetic p a r a m e t e r s
for scrotal circumference at puberty in heifers and hip
height in Brahman cattle. J. Anim. Sci. 76, 2536-
2541.
Venter, F.J., 1987. Die verwantskap tussen liggaamsmates
en prestasie van Bos Indicus en Bos Taurus bulle. M.Sc.
Agric. Dissertation, University of the Orange Free Sate,
South Africa.
Posbus 404 | Murraysburg | 6995
Johan Botha | 0793282922 | johanb1925@gmail.com | Helen Botha | 0724133330 | helenkinetika@gmail.com
Maiwashe, A.N., 2000. The value of recording body
measurements in beef cattle. M.Sc. Thesis, University of
the Orange Free Sate, South Africa.
Mulaudzi, J., 2000. An integrated system of growth
trait improvement in beef cattle under communal
management conditions. M. Tech. Thesis, Technikon Free
State, South Africa.
Otte, M.J.; Woods, A.J. & Abuabara, Y., 1992. Live
weight estimation of cattle by scale and tape-A
method comparison study. Tropical Animal Health and
Production 24, 109-114.
Schoeman, S.J. & De Wet, R., 1993. A comparison
between female lambs of the Dorper and two synthetic
composites with respect to feed intake, growth and
efficiency. S. Afr. Tydskr. Veek.23, 4-12.
Swanepoel, F.C.J., 1984. Die verwantskap tussen
liggaamsmate en prestasie van Simentalerbulle. M.Sc.
Agric. Dissertation, University of the Orange Free Sate,
South Africa.
Swanepoel, F.J.C. & Heyns, H., 1986. Relationship
between growth parameters and scrotal circumference
in Simmentaler bulls. S. Afr. J. Anim. Sci. 16, 218.
Vargas, C.A.; Elzo, M.A.; Chase, C.C.; Chenoweth, P.J. &
Olson, T.A., 1998. Estimation of genetic p a r a m e t e r s
for scrotal circumference at puberty in heifers and hip
height in Brahman cattle. J. Anim. Sci. 76, 2536-2541.
Venter, F.J., 1987. Die verwantskap tussen liggaamsmates
en prestasie van Bos Indicus en Bos Taurus bulle. M.Sc.
Agric. Dissertation, University of the Orange Free Sate,
South Africa.
Ons strewe na beter.....
MEATMASTER 2019 25
 Meatmasters, ‘n unieke skaap ras
Meatmasters, a unique sheep breed Clynton Collett

Is jy nog op koers, en teel en selekteer jy Are you still on track and breeding and
jou Meatmasters volgens die spesifieke selecting your Meatmasters according to the
eienskappe van die rasstandaarde, of is jy specific traits in the breed standards, or have
verblind deur die gewildheid van die ras en you been captured by the breed’s popularity
selekteer jy nou net vir ʼn mooi skaap om jou and are now just selecting for a pretty picture
verkope te verbeter? to improve your sales?

Do not ever forget that our traits for selection are

Onthou dat ons eienskappe vir seleksie uitsluitlik
based solely on factors to save us money or to
gebaseer is op faktore om ons geld te bespaar of
improve our income to make us the only logical
ons inkomste te verbeter ten einde ons die enigste
breed of choice for the most profitable meat sheep
logiese ras van keuse vir die winsgewendste
production.
vleisskaapproduksie te maak.

26 2019 MEATMASTER
MEATMASTER 2019 27
Ek sien telers wat die seleksie vir sekere kleure
propageer, terwyl ons rasstandaarde duidelik
stipuleer dat kleur geen rol behoort te speel nie
aangesien dit nie ons winsgewendheid beïnvloed
nie. Telers wat sekere kleure verkies, kan natuurlik
hul voorkeur kleur kies, op voorwaarde dat dit een
van die beste ramme is om te gebruik. Kleur mag
egter nooit verhoed dat jy die beste ram beskikbaar
gebruik nie; sodra jy dit doen, teel jy nie meer die
beste Meatmasters nie en help jy nie die ras om die
mees winsgewend te wees nie.
’n Nog groter fout wat ons telers sien maak, weens
die feit dat ons jare lank verkeerdelik geleer het
dat dit die beste is, is die seleksie vir Meatmasters
wat meer bespiering het van die korter, dikker tipe
spier wat meer na die ronder vorm Euro-rassoorte
neig. Dit is uiters gevaarlik, aangesien dit nie tot
meer vleisproduksie lei nie, maar wel beslis lei tot
laer vrugbaarheid, probleme met lam en ‘n minder
funksioneel doeltreffende skaap.
Ons moet onthou dat die Afri-rasse (regs)
bygedra het tot baie meer van die eienskappe (18
eienskappe) wat ons in die Meatmaster benodig
het as die rasse aan die linkerkant (5 eienskappe)
om ons die winsgewendste ras te maak. Ons moet
dus seker maak dat ons fenotipe meer na die Afro-
tipes neig as na die Euro-tipes, want as ons ooit
28 2019 MEATMASTER
I see breeders propagating the selection for
particular colours, when our breed standards
clearly stipulate that colour has no part to play as
it does not affect our profitability. Breeders who
prefer particular colours can obviously go for the
colour of their choice, on condition that it is one
of the best rams to use, but colour should never
prevent you from using the very best ram available.
If you do that, you are no longer breeding the best
Meatmasters and helping our breed to be the most
economical breed with which to farm.
A more concerning problem we see breeders
making because for many years we were wrongly
taught that this was best, is the selection for
Meatmasters that seem to have more muscling of
the shorter, thicker muscle type, leaning towards
the rounder-shaped Euro breed types. This is
extremely dangerous, as it does not lead to more
meat production but definitely leads to lower
fertility, lambing problems and a less functional
and efficient sheep.
We must remember, the Afri breeds (on the right)
contributed many more (18) of the traits we needed
in the Meatmaster than the Euro breeds on the left
(5 traits) to make us the most profitable breed. We
thus have to make sure that our phenotype leans
more towards the Afro types than towards the
fenotipies (hoe die skaap lyk) na die Euro-tipe
verander, soos ander rasse, verander ons nie net
hoe ons ras lyk nie, maar in die proses verloor
ons ook al die gene wat nodig is vir die 18 Afri-
eienskappe wat ons so dringend nodig het in die
Meatmaster, veral om hul voortplantingskoers te
handhaaf en produksiekoste so laag as moontlik te
hou. Ek is oortuig hoe meer wetenskapliks uitvind
omtrent epi genetika in die toekoms hoe meer sal
hulle besef watter voordele die inhemse rasse vir
skaap en beesboere inhou en hoe belangrik van
hulle gene in ons rasse is.
Euro types, because if we ever shift the Euro way
phenotypically (what the sheep looks like), like other
breeds have done, we are not only changing what
our breed looks like, but in the process also losing
all the genes necessary for the 18 Afri traits we so
desperately need in the Meatmaster, especially
to keep up our reproduction and keep production
costs as low as possible. I am convinced the more
scientists learn about epi genetics in future the
more they will appreciate the traits indigenous
breeds have to offer sheep and cattle breeders and
how important it is to have enough of their genes
in our breeds.
MEATMASTER 2019 29
Meatmaster-telers moet verstaan dat ons, heeltemal
anders dink en rideneer as teelers van ander rasse.
Ons sien nie die potensiaal vir vleisproduksie
in die grootte van ons ram se agterkwart of die
breedte oor sy lende nie, maar ons meet n ram
se produksie volgens die vermoë van sy dogters
om genoeg lammers te produseer wat oorleef
en goed groei. Soos in die figuur hierbo gesien,
bestaan daar groot verskille tussen die dogters van
verskillende ramme en dit is hierin waar die verskil
in vleisproduksie lê en dis wat die winsgewendheid
tussen verskillende ramme bepaal; dit het niks met
die breedte van die agterkwart of die lende te doen
nie.
Geen ras kan daarteen stry dat die ooi met die
beste totale kilogram lammers geproduseer per
jaar, in dieselfde omgewing gemeet, die beste
vleisprodusent is nie. Dit word gemeet deur ‘n
ooi se netto produksie- en voortplantingstempo
te evalueer, soos in die figuur hierbo. Aan die
linkerkant is die aantal lammers wat geproduseer
is, gemeet aan vrugbaarheid en meerlinge wat
geproduseer is, maar regs sien ons dat ons
ook kwaliteitlammers nodig het, wat oorleef en
goed groei, gemeet aan moedereienskappe,
melkproduksie en direkte groei. Die twee kante
saam gee ons totale kilogram lammers gespeen en
niemand kan daarteen stry nie. As jy dus op die
lang duur ‘n ware Meatmaster-teler wil wees en nie
net deel van die Genootskap is om die ras te melk
tydens sy periode van gewildheid, net om later
uit te klim om die volgende nuutjie aan te pak nie,
moet dít jou doelwit wees in die seleksie van jou
skape, hetsy fenotipies of volgens prestasiesyfers.
Dit is baie belangrik om daarop te let dat die groei-
eienskappe aan die regterkant baie maklik is om
te behaal, selfs met slegs fenotipiese seleksie,
aangesien die eienskap vir groei maklik is om waar
te neem en te meet en ’n hoë oorerflikheid het. Vir al
die ander eienskappe kan jy slegs akkuraat selekteer
deur data-insameling vir prestasieteelwaardes. Die
rede daarvoor is omdat die resultaat eers in die
tweede generasie gemeet word, sodra ‘n ram se
dogters begin lam.
Telers wat hul Meatmasters ywerig op die
bogenoemde basis selekteer, sal oor die lang
termyn die enigste verskaffers van ramme aan
die kommersiële bedryf wees. Dit is omdat die
Meatmaster as ras gestig is met die uitsluitlike
doel om aan kommersiële skaapboere ‘n werklik
winsgewende ras te verskaf waarmee hulle onder
alle omstandighede kan boer.
Aan die ander kant, as ons probeer om vir sekere
kleure en ‘n mooi skaap te selekteer, het ons ons
fokus verloor en sal Meatmasters maar net nog ’n
30 2019 MEATMASTER
Meatmaster breeders must understand that we
reason, totally different to breeders of other
breeds, we do not look for the potential for meat
production in the size of our ram’s hindquarter or
the width over his loin, but we measure a ram’s
production in the ability of his daughters to
produce enough lambs that survive and grow well.
As seen in the figure above, huge differences exist
between the different rams’ daughters and therein
lies the difference in the amount of meat produced
and that determines the difference in profitability
between the different rams. It has nothing to do
with the width of the hindquarter or the loin of the
ram.
No breed can argue against the fact that the ewe
with the best total kilograms of lamb produced per
year measured in the same environment is the best
meat producer. This is measured by evaluating a
ewe’s net production and reproduction tempo,
as in the figure above. On the left, you have the
number of lambs produced, measured by fertility
and multiple lambs produced. However, on the
right, we see that we also need quality lambs that
survive and grow well, measured by mothering
traits, milk production and direct growth. The two
sides together give us total kilograms of lamb
weaned, and no one can argue against that. So, if
you want to be a true Meatmaster breeder for the
long term and are not just part of the Society to
milk the breed during its time of popularity, only to
get out later to tackle the next best thing, this must
be your objective in selecting your sheep, whether
phenotypically or with performance figures. It is
very important to note that the growth traits on the
right are very easy to achieve, even with phenotype
selection only, as the trait for growth is easy to
observe and measure and has high heritability. All
the other traits you can only select for accurately by
means of data collection for performance breeding
values, as the result can only be measured in the
second generation, once a ram’s daughters have
lambed.
The breeders who diligently select their
Meatmasters on the basis described above will,
in the long run, be the only ones supplying rams
to the commercial industry. This is because the
Meatmaster was established as a breed for the
sole purpose of giving commercial sheep farmers
a truly profitable breed with which to farm under
all circumstances.
On the other hand, if we try to select for certain
colours and just a pretty picture, we would have
lost our focus and end up as another breed going
nowhere and of no value to commercial farmers.
 J ohn n y Mo rri so n
083 3 8 3 2 7 3 7

J ohn Wi l l i am Morri so n
079 8 7 5 4 8 0 3

Meatmasters

m oh imba3@gmail. com
MEATMASTER 2019 31
ras word wat op pad is na nêrens en van geen nut
is vir die kommersiële boer nie.
Telers moet onthou dat hul besluite en aksies die
Meatmaster se toekoms bepaal. Telers moet veral
versigtig wees om nie fokus te verloor van wat
ons teeldoelwit is en bloot ‘n tipe skaap wat mooi
vertoon vir onkundige en swak ingeligte mense
teel nie.
Wees versigtig vir: afguns en wedywering tussen
teelers en die verwoesting wat dit veroorsaak. Vir ’n
ongesonde liefde vir geld wat jou forseer om skape
te teel wat populêr maar nie reg is nie, ter wille van
korttermynwins in plaas van langtermynsukses.
Hierdie is alles dinge wat ons ras kan kelder, net
soos dit al baie voor ons gekelder het.
Meatmasters is tans geseënd met ‘n
kernversameling van telers wat werklik verstaan
wat die teeling van Meatmasters behels. Hulle
werk onvermoeid en sonder betaling vir die ras en
laat nie toe dat ongesonde mededinging in afguns
verander en so doende verdeeldheid veroorsaak
nie. Die Meatmaster-ras floreer as gevolg van
hierdie telers se werk. Maak seker dat jy een van
hulle is of word.
Ons verwelkom alle nuwe telers in ons Genootskap
en vertrou dat hulle daardie persone wat reg te
werk gaan, sal navolg. Nuwe en ou telers moet ons
kursusse bywoon, selfs drie of vier keer, aangesien
niemand van ons ooit genoeg kan leer nie. Daar
word voortdurend nuwe materiaal by die kursusse
gevoeg soos ons meer oor ons ras leer. Daar is dus
altyd iets nuuts om te leer.
Onthou altyd dat jy as lid, nou ook help om die
ras te beheer so, raak dus betrokke. Help met die
ontwikkeling van ons ras en die bevordering van
eenheid sodat ons nie net nog ’n ras en genootskap
is nie, maar ‘n familie word wat tot voordeel van
almal saamwerk. Kyk dan hoe God ons sal seën
omdat ons dinge reg doen.
32 2019 MEATMASTER
Breeders must remember that their decisions
and actions control the Meatmaster’s future. As
breeders, be careful not to lose focus concerning
our breeding objective and breed a type of sheep
that pleases only the eye of the ignorant and the
ill-informed.
Beware of: Jealousy between breeders and the
havoc it causes. The unhealthy love of money that
forces you to breed what is popular and not what
is right, for short-term gain instead of long-term
success, these are things that can sink our breed
and, indeed, have sunk many before us.
At present, Meatmasters are blessed with a core of
breeders who truly understand what Meatmaster
breeding is about. They work tirelessly for the
breed, without pay, and do not allow unhealthy
competition to turn into jealousy and cause
division. The Meatmaster breed is flourishing
because of the endeavours of these breeders.
Make sure you are one of them.
We welcome all new breeders to our Society and
pray that they will follow those who are doing
things right. New and old breeders should attend
our courses, even three or four times, as we can
never learn enough. New material is always being
added to the courses as we learn more about our
breed. You will thus always be learning something
new.
Always remember, you, as a member, are now
helping to control the breed so, get involved. Help
build progress and unity so that we are not just
another breed and society but a family working for
the good of all. Then watch how God will bless us
as we all do things right.
MEATMASTER 2019 33
Boemie en Jacolet Eendjie
Saaiman JW 13 0001

083 383 1000 | Kroonstad

Kaokoland Inspired

Jack Hammer
JW 16 0483

Daiquiri
BC 18 0001

Paul Pienaar
082 924 6078
Pretoria, Hekpoort, Kroonstad

34 2019 MEATMASTER
MEATMASTER 2019 35
36 2019 MEATMASTER
MEATMASTER 2019 37
38 2019 MEATMASTER
MEATMASTER 2019 39
 WILLEM STEENKAMP
CALVINIA
TEL: 027 341 2549
SEL: 083 256 2747
wilgerboom@hantam.co.za

WAAR ALLES BYMEKAAR KOM

40 2019 MEATMASTER
MEATMASTER 2019 41
42 2019 MEATMASTER
MEATMASTER 2019 43
44 2019 MEATMASTER
 Gunsmoke (Smokey) Nageslag

MEATMASTER 2019
45
 Inspuitbare formule is deurbraak vir veeboere
Injectable formula a breakthrough for livestock farmers
’n Tekort aan spoorelemente kan ’n
nadelige invloed hê op onder meer
vrugbaarheid en die immuniteit van
vee sonder dat die boer dit besef. Dít
kan betekenisvolle produksieverliese
veroorsaak.
Voorkom produksieverliese deur die strategiese
toevoeging van die regte kombinasie van
spoorminerale en vitamiene voor kritieke stadiums
in die produksiesiklus. Inspuitbare spoorminerale
en vitamiene is ’n direkte manier van toediening
waar tekorte is. Dit is omdat die interaksies tydens
opname die maagdermkanaal omseil, of as die
vlakke van dié elemente in die voer te laag is.
Spoorminerale en vitamienes word benodig in
kombinasie omdat die werking van baie van die
funksionele ensieme wat gevorm word, oorvleuel
of opgebou word deur meer as een element. As
die spoorminerale in hul elementêre vorm met
’n inspuiting toegedien is, is een beperking die
vry minerale wat nog reaktief in die ongebonde
vorm is. Dit bly so tot dit in die lewer omskakel
in die funksionele vorm, wat dan ensieme met
’n spesifieke funksie in die liggaam is. Reaksies
deur vry minerale kan verder verminder word
in- dien daar gelyktydig genoeg antioksidante
soos vitamien E en vitamien A geredelik in die
bloedsirkulasie beskikbaar is om dié reaksies
tydens die aanvanklike bloedfase te voorkom. Die
spoormineraal wat die moeilikste is om aan te
vul, is selenium. Daar is ’n klein verskil tussen die
vlakke waarteen ’n tekort aangevul kan word en die
vlakke waarteen dit sitotoksies vir die liggaam kan
wees.
NUWE FORMULASIE
Inligting is verkry uit ’n internasionale
navorsingstudie1 wat bewys seleniummetionien
(die organiese vorm van selenium) is baie minder
toksies teen hoë vlakke as die anorganiese
natriumseleniet. Dus is besluit om voort te gaan
en seleniummetionien in ’n inspuitbare vorm op
die proef te stel. Volgens dieselfde studie moet
vitamien E ook gebruik word om vergiftiging te
probeer voorkom. Die werking van vitamien E
as antioksidant is daarop gemik om die vorming
van vrye radikale en weefselskade te voorkom.
Die groot uitdaging was om ’n formule daar
te stel waardeur wateroplosbare minerale met
vetoplosbare vitamiene in ’n stabiele inspuitbare
46 2019 MEATMASTER
A shortage of trace elements can
adversely affect the fertility and
immunity of livestock without the farmer
realising it. This may lead to severe losses
in production.
Production losses can be prevented by strategically
adding the correct combination of trace minerals
and vitamins before critical stages in the production
cycle. Injectable trace minerals and vitamins are
a direct way of supplementing when deficiencies
occur due to the interactions during absorption
bypassing the gastrointestinal tract, or when the
levels of these elements in the feed are too low.
Trace minerals and vitamins are needed in
combination because the functioning of many of
the functional enzymes that are formed, overlaps
or is built up by more than one element.
When the trace minerals are administered with
an injection in their elementary form, the free
minerals that are still reactive in the unbound form
is a limitation. It remains this way until the minerals
are converted in the liver into the functional
form as enzymes with a specific function in the
body. Reactions by free minerals can be reduced
further if enough antioxidants, such as vitamin E
and vitamin A, are readily available in the blood
circulation to prevent these reactions during the
initial blood phase.
The trace mineral that is the most difficult
to supplement is selenium. There is little
difference between the levels at which a deficit
is supplemented and the levels at which it can be
cytotoxic to the body.
NEW FORMULATION
Information has been obtained from an international
research study,1 proving that selenium methionine
(the organic form of selenium) is much less toxic
at high levels than the inorganic sodium selenite.
The decision was then made to test selenium
methionine in an injectable form.
According to the same study, vitamin E should also
be used to try to prevent poisoning.The functioning
of vitamin E as an antioxidant is aimed at preventing
the forming of free radicals and tissue damage. A
significant challenge was to create a formula that
MEATMASTER 2019 47
vorm gekombineer word. Die resultaat is ’n stabiele
mikroemulsie wat geformuleer is met die gebruik
van die nuutste tegnologie.
NAVORSINGSPROEWE
Die formule is verder in Suid-Afrikaanse
toestande beproef deur dit by vleisbeeste,
melkbeeste en skape te toets. Die probleem met
die gebruik van die inspuitbare spoorelemente
is om langtermynopberging daarvan in die
opbergingsorgane, soos die lewer, te bewerkstellig.
Die navorsing is gedoen deur dr. Thys Snyman
en statistiese verwerking is gedoen deur prof.
Peter Thompson. Dr. Alf Lategan (Cape Cross
Veterinary Hospital) was ook behulpsaam met
die melkbeesproef. Die resultate het onteenseglik
bevind dat die organiese vorm van selenium
(seleniummetionien) in die nuwe inspuitbare
formulasie betekenisvolle verhoging gee in
die langtermyn lewervlakke in skape, asook
vleisbeeste.
Die opname van ander spoorminerale, soos koper,
sink en mangaan (wat in dieselfde formule ingesluit
is teen laer vlakke as die huidige inspuitbare
middels) het gelykwaardige bloed- en lewervlakke
behaal teen die helfte van die konsentrasie. Dit is
danksy die nuwe mikro-emulsie-formule wat die
doeltreffendheid van die opname of verspreiding
daarvan verbeter het.
Die navorsing by melkbeeste het bewys die
bloedvlakke wat met die insluiting van vitamien
E behaal word, bly hoog vir die eerste 120 uur
nadat die inspuiting toegedien is. Dit is vir ekstra
voorkoming van reaksies wat deur minerale in hul
vrye vorm veroorsaak kan word.
GEVOLGTREKKING
Die gevolgtrekking uit die navorsingsproewe wat
gedoen is by vleisbeeste, melkbeeste en skape
is dat die nuwe mikro-emulsie-formule, wat
spoorminerale en vetoplosbare vitamiene bevat,
’n doeltreffende formule is vir die inspuitbare
aanvulling van spoorelementtekorte.
In hierdie nuwe inspuitbare vorm kan
seleniummetionien baie doeltreffend aangewend
word vir die aanvulling van selenium op lang
termyn. -LBW, 26 Augustus 2016.
Dr. Danie Odendaal
Veegesondheidskonsultant.
BRONNE: 1 Verwysing: Tiwary, A.K., Stegelmeier, B.L, Panter,
K.E., James, L.F., Hall, J.O.“Comparative toxicosis ofsodium
selenite and selenomethionine in lambs.” Journal ofveterinary
diagnostic investigation, 18:61-70 (2006).
48 2019 MEATMASTER
combines water-soluble minerals with fat-soluble
vitamins in a stable, injectable form. The result is
a stable micro-emulsion formulated by using the
latest technology.
RESEARCH TRIALS
The formula was further tested on beef cattle, dairy
cattle and sheep in South African conditions. The
problem with using injectable trace elements is
achieving long-term storage in the storage organs,
such as the liver.
The research was conducted by Dr. Thys Snyman,
and the statistical processing was done by Prof.
Peter Thompson. Dr. Alf Lategan (Cape Cross
Veterinary Hospital) helped with the dairy cattle
testing.The results have undoubtedly found that the
organic form of selenium (selenium methionine) in
the new injectable formula significantly increases
the long-term liver levels in sheep and beef cattle.
The absorption of other trace minerals, such as
copper, zinc and manganese (included in the same
formula at lower levels than current injectable
formulas), achieved equivalent blood and liver
levels at half the concentration. This is because of
the new micro-emulsion formula that has improved
the efficiency of the absorption or distribution
thereof.
The research on dairy cattle has proven that the
blood levels achieved with the inclusion of vitamin
E remain high for the first 120 hours after the
injection has been administered. This provides
additional prevention of reactions that may be
caused by the minerals in their free form.
CONCLUSION
The conclusion from the research trials conducted
on beef cattle, dairy cattle and sheep is that the
new micro-emulsion formula, which contains trace
minerals and fat-soluble vitamins, is an effective
formula for injectable supplementation of trace
element deficiencies.
In this new injectable form, selenium methionine
can be used very effectively for the long-term
supplementation of selenium. -FW, 26 August 2016.
Dr. Danie Odendaal
Livestock health consultant
SOURCES: 1 Reference: Tiwary, A.K., Stegelmeier, B.L., Panter,
K.E., James, L.F., Hall, J.O.“Comparative toxicosis of sodium
selenite and selenomethionine in lambs.” Journal of Veterinary
Diagnostic Investigation, 18:61-70 (2006).
MEATMASTER 2019 49
 Mmankgwedi Meatmasters (Botswana)
Gulam Husain Moorad
Die manier waarop ek sover gekom
het om met Meatmasters te teel, is ‘n
interessante storie. Oor die afgelope 25
jaar het ek met verskillende soorte skape
geteel. Alhoewel my opbrengste goed
was, wou ek ‘n ras hê wat feitlik perfek
sou wees vir die omgewing en klimaat
van my omgewing. Nadat ek Nampo-
skou in 2015 besoek het, het ek besluit
om Meatmasterskape te probeer. Dit was
die beste besluit wat ek ooit kon gemaak
het!
Ek het begin met een ram en vier ooie wat ek by Collett-
boerdery gekoop het en die volgende jaar het ek vyftien
ooie, sommige met lammers, op die Best of Africa-
veiling by die Parys-veiling gekoop. Ek het al die ander
ramme in my kommersiële kudde met Meatmasters
vervang en die resultate was wonderlik. Die ooie het
geen probleem gehad met lam nie en die ramme was
baie gemaklik daarmee om by die trop te bly, anders as
die vorige ramme wat gedurende die dag in die kraal
gehou moes word en net snags na die ooie toe kon gaan
omdat hulle die hitte nie kon hanteer nie.
’n Merkwaardige kenmerk van die ramme wat in die
kommersiële kudde gebruik is, was die feit dat hulle geen
aanvullende voeding gedurende die paarseisoen nodig
gehad het toe hulle by die ooie in die kudde was nie.
Hulle het ’n aanvaarbare liggaamskondisie gehandhaaf.
Die ander faktor was die verhouding van ram tot ooi, wat
meer ooie per ram was as wat ek vantevore ervaar het.
Die ooie het goeie moedereienskappe getoon, aangesien
nie een van dié wat in die veld gelam het hul lammers
aan roofdiere soos jakkalse afgestaan het nie.
Wat die lammers betref, is die groeifaktor fenomenaal.
Ek onthou dat ek ’n paar dragtige ooie aan ‘n boer in
die Kalahari verkoop het, en drie maande later het hy
gebel om te sê dat een van die ooie ’n tweeling gehad
het en hy hulle op net 110 dae oud gespeen het met ‘n
gesamentlike gewig van 78 kg. Hy was meer as tevrede
met die resultate. Hy het selfs al sy ander ramme
verkoop en Meatmaster-ramme op sy kommersiële ooie
begin gebruik.
Boerdery in die westelike deel van Kweneng, ‘n hoofdistrik
in Botswana, het met heelwat uitdagings te kampe.
Met ‘n lae jaarlikse reënvalgemiddeld van ongeveer
240 mm en gedeelde weiding, het die Meatmaster sy
uitsonderlike uithouvermoë en die vermoë om moeilike
toestande te weerstaan, getoon.
In ‘n land waar gemeenskaplike weiding die norm is,
sal sommige boere bekommerd wees dat hul skape met
50 2019 MEATMASTER
How I got into breeding Meatmasters
is an interesting story… Over the last
25 years, I have bread various types of
sheep. Although my returns were good, I
wanted to look for a breed that would be
practically perfect for the environment
and climate of my area. After visiting the
Nampo show in 2015, I decided to give
Meatmaster sheep a try. It was the best
decision I could have made!
I started with one ram and four ewes bought off Collett
Farming and the following year I purchased fifteen ewes,
some with lambs, from The Best of Africa Sale at the
Parys auction. On my commercial flock, I removed all
the other rams and introduced Meatmasters; the results
have been amazing. The ewes had no problem with
lambing and the rams were very comfortable walking
with the flock, unlike the previous rams which had to be
kept in the kraal during the day and introduced into the
ewes at night as they could not cope with the heat.
What was remarkable about the rams used in the
commercial flock was the fact that no supplementary
feeding was needed during the mating season when
they were running with the ewes. They maintained
acceptable body condition. The other factor was the
ratio of ram to ewe was more ewes to a ram than I had
experienced before. The ewes themselves showed great
mothering ability, as none of the ones that lambed on
the veld lost their lambs to predators such as jackals.
As for the lambs, the growth factor has been phenomenal.
I remember selling some pregnant ewes to a farmer up
in the Kalahari and three months later he called to say
one of the ewes had twins, and he had weaned them at
just 110 days old with a combined weight of 78kg. He was
more than happy with the results. He even proceeded to
sell all his other rams and use Meatmaster rams on his
commercial ewes.
Farming in the western part of Kweneng, a major district
in Botswana, has its fair share of challenges. With little
rainfall averaging a total of 240mm yearly and shared
grazing lands the Meatmaster has shown its exceptional
endurance and ability to withstand hardy conditions.
In a country where communal grazing is predominant,
many would worry about their sheep mingling with
neighbouring sheep and getting misplaced in the
process, but with the Meatmaster’s keen sense of flock
instinct this is nothing to concern one’s self with.
Currently, Mmankgwedi Meatmasters is being invited to
attend a lot of farmers’ day events around the country
and we have done a lot of educational work, speaking
MEATMASTER 2019 51
ander skaaptroppe sal meng en in die proses sal wegraak,
maar die Meatmaster se besonderse tropinstink maak
dat dit ’n aspek is waaroor jy jou nie hoef te bekommer
nie.
Tans word Mmankgwedi Meatmasters uitgenooi om
heelwat boeredaggeleenthede regoor die land by te woon
en ons het al baie opvoedingswerk gedoen, byvoorbeeld
deur uitsendings oor die plaaslike radiostasie. Dit help
baie om die ras te bemark, aangesien dit boere in afgeleë
gebiede van die land sowel as dié wat in die stad woon,
bereik.
Aangesien die Botswana bekend is vir boer met beeste,
is baie van hulle huiwerig om beide skape en beeste op
hul plase aan te hou uit vrees daarvoor dat albei spesies
om dieselfde voedselbron (gras) sal kompeteer. Dit blyk
egter nie ‘n probleem vir die Meatmaster te wees nie,
aangesien die ras ook bossies en blare vreet. Dit is ‘n paar
van die insigte wat ek met ons boerderygemeenskap
probeer deel soos die ras meer gewild word.
‘n Huidige voordeel vir Botswana-boere is dat
die regering, deur middel van die Ministerie van
Landbou, die ontwikkeling van kleinveeboerdery aktief
aanmoedig. Trouens, die regering is besig om kleinvee-
abattoirs regoor die land te bou, wat uiteindelik vir boere
winsgewend sal wees.
Uit my ervaring tot dusver kan ek mense wat daarin
belangstel om met skape te begin boer, aanraai om nie
verder as Meatmasterskape te soek nie. Die passievolle
boer sal beslis nie spyt wees oor sy besluit as hy die
finansiële beloning daarvan sien nie.
Ek glo vas dat Meatmaster die ras van die toekoms is.
52 2019 MEATMASTER
on local radio, for example. This helps market the breed
tremendously as it reaches farmers in remote areas of
the country as well as those living in the city.
As Botswana are known for rearing cattle, many are
hesitant to keep both sheep and cattle on their farms
for fear of both species competing for the same food
source (grass). This proves not to be a problem for the
Meatmaster as it also enjoys browsing. These are some
of the insights and learnings I continue to try to share
with our farming community as the breed becomes
more popular.
A current advantage for Botswana farmers is that the
Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, actively
encourages the growth of small stock farming. In fact, it
is in the process of building small stock abattoirs around
the country, which will ultimately result in profitability
for farmers.
From my experience thus far, I advise people who
are interested in going into sheep farming to look no
further than Meatmaster sheep. The passionate farmer
will definitely not regret their decision when seeing the
financial rewards.
I firmly believe that Meatmaster is the breed of the future.
AANGEPAS ONDER DROë WOESTYN TOESTANDE
SOWEL AS OP KOUE HOOGLAND GRASVELDE

UITSTEKENDE PRODUKSIE ONDER EKSTENSIEWE

SOWEL AS INTENSIEWE TOESTANDE

Big
fred Basix
MEATMASTERS MEATMASTERS
Derick Biggs: Kobus Odendaal:
082 338 0613 082 970 2064
redbull@zippnorth.co.za Michael Leslie odendaaljj@gmail.com
082 770 0306
mike@clanleslie.co.za MEATMASTER 2019 53
MEATMASTER
Namibia | Namibië

54 2019 MEATMASTER
MEATMASTER 2019 55
 ONS MEATMASTER STORIE
OUR MEATMASTER STORY
Ons boer van 1991 op die plaas
Wartburg 60km suid van Maltahöhe
op die Swartrante. Die weiding is
dwergstruiksavanna en ek stok teen 6ha
per ooi en 40ha per koei.
By die kleinvee maak ek gebruik van twee
paarseisoene nl. hoofpaarseisoen middel Augustus
tot end November en aanvullende paarseisoen
Februarie/Maart. Dit is vir my baie belangrik dat ten
minste twee derdes ooie in die reëntyd lam omdat
dit die winsgewenste is en ook die beste vir die
veld. Ooie lam net eenkeer per jaar sodat sy goed
kan herstel.
Ek het al meer gesukkel om ooie te laat ram vat
in die hoofpaarseisoen tot op die punt wat al die
ooie eers in Februarie/Maart ram vat. Dit was ‘n
groot frustrasie en moes ek ‘n oplossing kry want
dit was nie volhoubaar om so aan te gaan nie. Die
oplossing is ook nie in die winkel nie, ons maak
eenvoudig te min geld om daai pad te loop.
Na baie wroeg, wakker lê en navorsing besluit
ek en my wederhelfte om die Meatmaster pad te
probeer. In 2014/15 maak ons die bokboerdery tot
niet en hou so 700 dorperooie oor.
13 April 2016 gaan ons na Jannie de Villiers se
veiling op Signalberg, ek het sommer byvoorbaat
my sleepwa saamgevat. Toe ons die vorige dag
by Jannie kom loop sy skaap vol lammers in daai
geweldige droogte en by my het nog nie een lam
geval ten spyte van beter weidingtoestande as by
Jannie nie. Ek was ook baie beindruk met Jannie
se bestuursprogram en het die gemoedsrus gehad
dat dit geharde aangepaste diere is.
Ons koop 75 meatmasters op die veiling wat
8 ramme insluit. Ek hou soveel as moontlik
ramlammers uit die ooie wat dragtig was van
Jannie se ramme en Augustus 2017 het ek genoeg
ramme vir my dorper ooie.
Begin Augustus 2017 sit ek die Meatmaster ramme
by 691 dorperooie waarvan meeste lammerooie
was, 580 ooie het ram gevat. Teen einde Februarie
2018 het ek al 527 lammers gewerk.
In Februarie kry ons goeie reën en einde Mei 2018
begin ek die lammers bemark. As gevolg van goeie
56 2019 MEATMASTER
Bartie en
Antoinette Burger
We have been farming on the farm
Wartburg, 60 km south of Maltahöhe at
the Swartrante, since 1991. The grazing
is dwarf shrub savanna and I stock at 6
ha per ewe and 40 ha per cow.
For the small stock, I use two mating seasons: the
main mating season mid August to end November
and an additional mating season in February/
March. It is very important to me that at least
two thirds of the ewes lamb in the rainy season
because it is the most profitable and the best for
the veld. The ewes lamb only once a year in order
to recover well.
I have been struggling more and more to get ewes
in lamb in the main mating season, to the point
where all the ewes only got pregnant in February/
March. It was a huge frustration and I had to find
a solution because it was not sustainable to carry
on like that. Neither was the solution in a store; our
profits are simply too small to follow that path.
After a lot of worrying, lying awake at night and
research, my spouse and I decided to try the
Meatmaster way. In 2014/15, we ended our goat
farming and kept about 700 Dorper ewes.
13 April 2016, we attended Jannie de Villiers’
auction at Signalberg. In anticipation, I took along
my trailer. When we arrived at Jannie’s the day
before the auction, his flock was full of lambs, even
in that severe drought, while my own flock had no
lambs despite my better grazing conditions than
Jannie’s. I was also very impressed with Jannie’s
management programme and had the peace of
mind that these were hardy, adapted animals.
We bought 75 Meatmasters at the auction, including
eight rams. I kept as many of the ram lambs as
possible from the ewes that were pregnant with
Jannie’s rams, and in August 2017, I had enough
rams for my Dorper ewes.
At the beginning of August 2017, I mated the
Meatmaster rams with 691 Dorper ewes, most of
which were ewe lambs. A total of 580 ewes became
pregnant and by the end of February 2018, 527
lambs had already been born.
That February, we had good rains and by the end
weiding kon ek die lammers swaarder maak en het
42kg gemiddeld bemark op Mariental veilings teen
N$1248 per kop/N$29.58 per kg nadat kommisie af
is.
Dit sal ‘n groot verligting wees as ek weer in
‘n program kan kom waar meeste ooie in my
hoofpaarseisoen nl. middel Augustus tot end
November kan ram vat, danksy die meatmasters
lyk dit baie belowend.
Ten slotte, kom ons maak seker dat “verkeerde”
diere uit die mark bly.
of May 2018, I started marketing the lambs. Due to
good grazing, the lambs were heavier and marketed
at 42 kg on average at Mariental auctions at N$1
248 per head or N$29.58 per kg after commission.
It would be a great relief if I could get back in a
programme where most ewes will become
pregnant in my main mating season – mid August
to end November. Thanks to the Meatmasters, this
looks very promising.
Finally, let’s make sure that poor-quality animals
stay out of the market.
MEATMASTER 2019 57
 HOEKOM
WHY
Hoekom verander na Meatmasters? Dit
is die vraag wat baie Meatmaster boere
al moes antwoord. Om my storie te
vertel moet ek eers agtergrond gee van
omstandighede.
Ek het in 1994 grond gekoop saam met my Pa in
Namibië se Suid Oos Kalahari, Gochas omgewing.
Met groot finansieële verpligtinge moes ek alles
uit my boerdery uithaal. Op hierdie stadium het
ek nog met ‘n ander ras geboer. Ek het vinnig
agtergekom dat my getalle en inkomste nie klop
nie. Die probleem was, met vol belading het my
lammers wat groot gemaak is nie die verlangde
syfers opgelewer nie. Alle moontlike probleme is
geidentifiseer en die grootste was, ooie wat nooit
gelam het nie m.a.w. passasiers, swak moeders
wat lammers weggegooi, lae vrugbaarheid en
swak besetting by ooie. Na ramme getoets is en
passasiers uit geslag is het nog net roofdiere ‘n rol
gespeel. Nog steeds was daar van dragtig tot met
speen te veel lammers wat net “verdwyn”.
Toevallig het ‘n paar ou ooie van my in 2008 toe
dragtig geraak van Damara-ramme. Almal het
gelam en groot was my verbasing om te sien
hoe goed hierdie F1-lammers groei. Hierdie
was die draaipunt. Binne ‘n jaar het ek ‘n klomp
F1 lammers en ooie gehad wat uit wit dorper en
damaras gekom het. Ons moes vir nog baie jare
so aangaan omdat die Namibiese grens vir invoere
gesluit was. Met die grense wat weer oopgemaak
het, het ek in 2014 begin om Meatmasters van SA
af in te voer. My diere het van Osvley en Elandsnek
gekom en ek het ook later van ander telers begin
koop.
My finale besluit om met Meatmasters te boer het
gekom toe die eerste lammers van hierdie SA diere
begin aankom het. Gou het ek besef ek sal moet
meer uithaal en suiwer Meatmasters ooie in die
hande kry. Die proses van opteel na die korrekte
Meatmasters was net te lank met die F-generasies
So is die beste moontlike diere gekoop, soms ook
maar net die beste wat bekostigbaar was. Die
belangrikheid van ‘n goeie ooibasis is nie vir my
onderhandelbaar nie soos alle telers weet. Met
die invoer van diere sal almal vir julle kan sê dat
dit ‘n lang uitgerekte, duur en frustrerende proses
is. Afgesien van die frustrasies rondom invoere
het Meatmaster ooie my 2 keer meer gekos as die
aanteel ooie wat ek moes verkoop om plek te maak
vir my Meatmasters. Moet ook vandag sê vir almal
wat gehelp het met die invoere, baie dankie. Dit
58 2019 MEATMASTER
Why change to Meatmasters? This is a
question that many Meatmaster farmers
have had to answer. In order to tell my
story, I have to give the background to
the circumstances first.
In 1994, I bought some land in Namibia’s South-
East Kalahari, Gochas area, with my dad. With
huge financial obligations, I had to get everything
out of my farm. At this stage, I still farmed with
another breed. I quickly realised that my numbers
and income did not tally. The problem was that
with a full load, my lambs raised did not add up to
the desired numbers. All possible problems were
identified and the biggest concerned ewes that
never lambed, i.e. “passengers”, as well as poor
mothers who discarded their lambs, low fertility
and poor conception rates for ewes. After the
rams were tested and the passengers culled, only
predators still played a role. However, too many
lambs still just “disappeared” from pregnancy to
weaning.
Coincidentally, some of my old ewes became
pregnant by Damara rams in 2008. All of them
lambed and I was surprised to see how well these
F1 lambs grew. This was the turning point. Within
a year I had a lot of F1 lambs and ewes coming
from white Dorpers and Damaras. For many years
we had to continue this way as the Namibian
border was closed for imports. With the re-opening
of the borders, I started to import Meatmasters
from South Africa in 2014. My animals came from
Osvley and Elandsnek, and I also started buying
from other breeders.
My final decision to farm with Meatmasters was
made when the first lambs from these South
African animals were born. Soon I realised I would
have to get hold of more Meatmaster ewes. The
process of breeding up to the correct Meatmasters
took just too long with the F generations. So the
best possible animals were bought; sometimes,
however, just the best that was still affordable. The
importance of a good ewe base is a non-negotiable
point for me, as all breeders know. With importing
animals, everyone will tell you that it is a lengthy,
expensive and frustrating process. Apart from the
frustrations surrounding imports, the Meatmaster
ewes cost me twice as much as the breeding ewes
I had to sell to make room for my Meatmasters.
Today I want to thank everyone who helped with
those imports. It took a lot of time and work and,
several times, many hours at the border.
MEATMASTER 2019 59
het baie tyd en werk gevat en ‘n paar keer lang ure
op die grens gekos.
Vandag amper 5 jaar na die eerste Meatmasters
ingekom het, het ons met al die gesukkel al amper
800 ooie en 55 ramme ingebring. Onder die diere
was Smokey wat ons in Februarie 2018 by Osvley
Meatmasters/Henk Kearney gekoop het. Hy was
eers vir ‘n lang tyd by RAMSEM waar ons stooitjies
laat trek en berg het. Sy eerste lammers het einde
Nov/Des 2018 begin aankom. Hy gaan beslis sy
stempel afdruk in ons kudde en sal beslis ook ‘n
aanwins wees vir kuddes in Namibië.
Die Meatmasters het homself op baie gebiede
in Namibië al reeds bewys. Karkas kwaliteit en
gewig vergelyk baie dieselfde as ander rasse. Die
tropsgebondenheid maak dat die skaap net baie
makliker is om te werk en hanteer. Die minder
selektiewe eetgewoontes maak dat die Meatmaster
veld meer optimaal benut. Die belangrikste
eienskap van ons ras is sy beter lampersentasie
in veral swakker omstandighede en dan natuurlik
die uitstekende moedereienskappe. Meatmasters
maak hulle lammers groot!!!
Die toekoms van Meatmasters in Namibië lyk baie
goed en ons streef om by ons leuse te hou wat
sê, Geld uit die Veld. Die proses van seleksie en
keuring hier en in SA bly geskied steeds op ‘n basis
van vernuwing maar nie ten koste van ons ras se
basiese beginsels nie. Hierdie beginsels kan ons
opsom as funksioneel en struktureel korrekte diere
wat onder veld omstandighede kan produseer en
geld maak. Die basies doelstellings waarom die
ras ontwikkel is moet altyd vir ons die norm bly vir
teling. In Namibië groei getalle elke jaar en ons
kan dit sien veral in die belangstelling in ooie en
die pryse bevestig dit ook.
Wat my opgewonde maak oor die ras in Namibie
is dit dat op elke SA veiling waar Namibiërs koop,
die room van die veilings na ons land toe gaan.
Namibiese telers het die laaste vyf jaar met hierdie
goeie kwaliteit aankope ons kwaliteit geweldig
verbeter wat op veilings ook waargeneem kan
word. Nie alle bont skaap is Meatmasters nie en nie
alle Meatmasters is bont nie, so doen jou huiswerk
voordat jy diere inkoop.
Ter afsluiting, my vraag aan die begin, en
die antwoord. Die hoeksteen van alle teling
is tog reproduksie wat bymekaar gebring
word deur moeder eienskappe, vrugbaarheid,
tropgebondenheid, loopvermoê en gehardheid.
Dit is alles ons Meatmasters se eienskappe.
Vir my as boer & teler is dit ‘n passie om met die
ras te boer en funksioneel doeltreffende diere aan
my mede boere te kan lewer. Eer aan ons Skepper
en dankie dat ons nog kan boer in Afrika.
Lekker boer, Bonus Nell – Omega Meatmasters
60 2019 MEATMASTER
Today, almost five years after the first Meatmasters
had been imported, we have brought in almost
800 ewes and 55 rams. Among these animals
was Smokey, the ram we bought from Osvley
Meatmasters (Henk Kearney) in February 2018. At
first he was at RAMSEM for a long time, where we
draw straws. His first lambs started arriving at the
end of November/December 2018. He will definitely
make an impression in our flock and be an asset to
flocks in Namibia.
The Meatmasters have already proven themselves
in many areas of Namibia. Carcass quality and
weight compare very well to other breeds. Their
herd instinct make these sheep much easier to
work with and handle. Due to its non-selective
grazing habits, the Meatmaster utilises veld more
efficiently. The most important feature of our breed
is its better lambing percentage in especially
poorer conditions and then, of course, its excellent
mothering abilities. Meatmasters raise their lambs!
The future of Meatmasters in Namibia looks
very sound and we strive to stick to our motto –
“Nature’s Money Maker”. The process of selection
and judging here and in South Africa still continues
on a basis of innovation but not at the expense of
the basic principles of our breeds. These principles
can be summarised as functional and structurally
correct animals that can produce and make money
under veld conditions. The basic objectives of the
breed should always remain the norm for breeding.
In Namibia, Meatmaster numbers increase every
year, and we can see this in not only the interest in
ewes but also the prices fetched.
What excites me about the breed in Namibia is that
at every South African auction where Namibians
buy, the cream of these auctions goes to our
country. Namibian breeders have improved our
quality over the past five years with these good-
quality purchases, which can also be observed
at auctions. Not all multi-coloured sheep are
Meatmasters and not all Meatmasters are multi-
coloured, so do your homework before you buy
sheep.
In conclusion, my question at the beginning, and
the answer to it: the cornerstone of all breeding
is reproduction, which is brought together by
maternal instincts, fertility, herd instinct, mobility
and hardiness. All of these are the traits of our
Meatmasters.
It is my passion, as a farmer and a breeder, to farm
with this breed and provide functionally effective
animals to my fellow farmers. Glory to our Creator
and we give thanks that we are still able to farm in
Africa.
Enjoy your farming, Bonus Nell – Omega Meatmasters
 M E AT M A S T E R S

Landline: 063-250199 | Cell: 081 731 3767 | E-mail:MEATMASTER

makka@iway.na
2019 61
62 2019 MEATMASTER
 Omega Meatmasters 2de Produksie Veiling
Omega Meatmasters 2nd Auction

Op die 2de Produksieveiling van Omega Meatmasters

& Meatmaster Consortium Namibia is, Stoffel van
Omega Meatmasters verkoop vir ‘n rekordprys vir ‘n
Namibies geteelde ram. Die ram se Pa is Picasso wat
‘n ram was van Henk Kearney/Osvley Meatmasters en
is gekoop deur Oom Chris Coetzee van Mariental vir
N$60 000.00.

At the second production sale of Omega Meatmasters

and Meatmaster Consortium Namibia, Stoffel of
Omega Meatmasters was sold for a record price for a
Namibian bred ram. The ram’s father is Picasso, which
was a ram of Henk Kearney of Osvley Meatmasters,
bought for N$60 000.00 by Chris Coetzee of Mariental.

Stoffel van Omega Meatmasters

Stoffel from Omega Meatmasters

MEATMASTER 2019 63

Graag wil ek met u ‘n stikkie van my hart
deel as ‘n Meatmaster boer in die verre
Suide van ons land, Namibië. Ek boer
sedert 2005 hier op my plaas 35 km suid
van Karasburg. Ek het 2008 oorgeskakel
na die Meatmaster ras oor ons reënval
wat baie wisselvallig geword het. Ek het
in 2010 my laaste normale reën gehad,
en van toe af elke jaar minder tot niks.
Van die jare wat ek wel reën gehad het
was dit rondom 40 mm in 4 of 5 klein
buitjies. Ons is nou in 2019 en ek het
1 mm reën ontvang sover met ‘n hart
vol bekommernisse, ook my boerdery
toekoms met agt jaar droogte agter die
blad, ‘n Koöperasie rekening wat elke
maand oorloop van voer en brandstof.
Daar het sedertdien baie goeie mense oor
my pad gekom, te veel om op te noem
wat ons met weiveld en voer bygestaan
het. Ja ek staan verstom as ek sien hoe
voorsien die Here elke dag. Ons het
twee en n half jaar terug met 80 persent
diere uit getrek na noodweiding vir die
soveelste keer en ry ongeveer 4000 km
elke maand om by my diere uit te kom.
Ons het so ver getrek tot Leonardville
waar nog ‘n Samaritaan my met veld
gehelp het.
64 2019 MEATMASTER
presteer, al is dit droogte!!
performs, even in the drought!!
Fiela Steyn
I would like to share with you a piece of
my heart as a Meatmaster farmer in the
far south of our country, Namibia. I have
been farming here on my farm, 35 km
south of Karasburg, since 2005. In 2008, I
switched to the Meatmaster breed as our
rainfall had become very unpredictable.
In 2010, I had my last normal rain, and
from then on, every year less to nothing.
For the years that I did have some rain,
it was only about 40 mm in four or five
light showers. It is 2019 now, and I have
received 1 mm of rain so far, with a heart
heavily laden with worries about the
future of my farm, eight years of drought
behind me, an account at the co-op that
is filled to the max with feed and fuel
every month. Many good people – too
many to mention – have crossed our path,
helping us out with grazing and feed.
Yes, I am amazed by the Lord’s provision
every day. Two and a half years ago, we
moved to emergency grazing with 80%
of our animals for the umpteenth time
and drove about 4 000 km each month
to reach the animals. We moved them
so far as Leonardville, where another
Samaritan helped me with grazing veld.
Ek was maar baie dae met my kop onder my blad
as ek weer veld toe ry om te gaan voer gooi vir
die bont skaap, die bietjie wat ek kan bekostig,
maar elke keer as ek die moedigheid van my diere
gesien het, het ek besef hul is ‘n voorbeeld vir
my om aan te hou en nie moed op te gee nie. Ek
staan verstom en kyk hoe die bont skaap afkom
water toe in die voer bakke kyk wat leeg is en weer
veld toe loop in ‘n kamp wat al maande nie meer
bestaansreg het nie, net om te gaan kyk of hul nie
gister ‘n blaar of ‘n grasspriet gemis het nie, terwyl
die son sak en die weste wind weereens die wolke
weggewaai het. Die lewenslus van die ras selfs in
moeilike toestande het my op nuut laat besef ek
het hier met ‘n ras te doen wat baie anders is as al
die ander rasse waarmee ek voorheen geboer het.
Many days I felt utterly dejected when I drove to
the veld to go feed the multi-coloured sheep, the
little I could afford, but each time I observed their
courage, I realised they were an example to me
to keep my chin up and not give up. I have been
amazed by these sheep, coming to the water,
seeing the empty feed troughs and returning to the
veld in a camp that in all fairness could not have
been called a camp for months, only to make sure
they had not missed a leaf or blade of grass the
day before, while the sun is setting and the west
wind has blown away the clouds again. The vitality
of the breed, even in difficult conditions, has made
me realise anew that this is a breed that is very
different from all of the other breeds with which I
used to farm.

Ek het in die huidige omstandighede 57 van my In the current circumstances, 57 of my registered

Geregistreerde ooie September 2017 ram gegee
op ‘n 35 dae parings periode en groot was my
verbasing toe hul begin uier maak. Hierdie groepie
ooie lam in die voorjaar 60 lammers. Dieselfde
groep ooie nou 51 het ek weer op ‘n 35 dae parings
periode ram gegee in Mei 2018. My ooie begin lam
toe die najaar, 76 lammers waarvan 25 meerlinge
was. Ek kan net dink hoe moet hul produseer as ek
weer ‘n normale reën jaar het in 2019, ja net dalk
….. asb LIEWE VADER stuur vir ons genoeg reën
hierdie jaar. Amen.
ewes were mated in September 2017 for a 35-
day period and huge was my surprise when they
became pregnant. This group of ewes had 60 lambs
in the spring. The same group of ewes, now 51, was
again mated for a 35-day period in May 2018. They
ewes started lambing in the autumn – 76 lambs, 25
of which were multiples. I can only imagine how
they would produce if I have a normal rainy year in
2019 … yes, maybe ... Please HEAVENLY FATHER,
give us enough rain this year. Amen.

FIEL A EN KOBU S S T E YN | ME AT MA S T E RS

Ons teel sedert 2008 met Meatmasters

E-pos: saamstaan@hotmail.com | Tel: +264-63-269002 | Sel: +264-63-811245890

Plaas is geleë 35 km suid van Karasburg, Namibië op die D208.
MEATMASTER 2019 65
66 2019 MEATMASTER
MEATMASTER 2019 67
 Die
The
1. Tropgebondenheid
Die tropgebondenheid van die Meatmaster
ras speel ‘n ongelooflike groot rol by die
koste besparing in ‘n skaapboerdery. Met 1
plaaswerker kan jy maklik ‘n hele trop skape
bymekaar maak in ‘n kamp van 1000 hektaar
omdat hulle in ‘n sekere area wei. Dit maak
dat jy gereeld en maklik kontrole kan hou oor
jou skape want dit is maklik om hulle vinng
bymekaar te maak en te tel. Groot troppe skape
van 400 en meer kan maklik deur 1 persoon
aangejaag word.
Ek het al ondervind dat as jy ‘n paar ramme op
jou bakkie het dat ‘n enkele ram al agter die
voertuig aanhardloop en so het ek gery vir ‘n
paar kilometer om die ram by sy bestemming
te kry. Ek het ook een maal gery met ‘n sleepwa
met 10 ramme op. Ek wou nie in die veld in ry
nie want ek was bang dat ek ‘n pap wiel op
my sleepwa kan kry. Ek laai toe die ram 400
meter van die ooie af om hom aan te jaag,
maar ek en my werker kry hom nie weg van
die sleepwa nie. Hy hardloop al in die rondte
om die sleepwa om by die ander ramme te bly.
Ten einde raad ry ek met die sleepwa met die
ram agterna tot by die ooie en toe hardloop hy
in die trop in.
Die tropinstink maak dat ‘n mens 2 troppe
Meatmasters in aangrensende kampe kan laat
loop sonder dat hulle deurkruip. Ek het selfs
al ramme langs my ooitrop laat loop sonder
dat hulle deur gekruip het. Die droogte het
veroorsaak dat dit al kampe was wat nog
weiding gehad het en ek geforseer was om die
diere langs mekaar te laat loop.
Die feit dat die skape in ‘n trop loop maak
dit vir ongediertes moeiliker om die skape te
vang. Indien daar geweldig baie ongediertes
op ‘n plaas is of probleme met skaapstelery
voorkom, kan die boer gebruik maak van ‘n
oppasstelsel. ‘n Skaapwagter jaag die skape in
die oggend uit en bring hulle weer in die aand
terug. Die Meatmaster is die ideale skaap om
ook op hierdie manier te boer.
68 2019 MEATMASTER
Jannie de Villiers
1. Herd instinct
The herd instinct of the Meatmaster breed
plays an incredibly important role in saving
costs in farming with sheep. You can easily
gather a whole flock of sheep in a camp of 1 000
hectares with only one farm worker because
they graze in a specific area. This allows you to
check your flock regularly and easily because
it is easy to gather and count them quickly.
Large flocks of 400 and more sheep can easily
be herded by one person.
I have experienced that if you have some
rams on your bakkie, a single ram will follow
the vehicle, and I have, at times, driven a
few kilometres this way to get a ram to its
destination. I once hauled a trailer with ten
rams. I did not want to drive into the veld as I
was afraid the trailer could get a flat tyre. I then
dropped off a ram 400 meters from the ewes
to herd him, but my worker and I could not get
him away from the trailer. He kept circling the
trailer to stay with the other rams. In the end, I
had to haul the trailer with the ram following it
to the ewes, where he joined the flock.
The herd instinct has the advantage that one
can keep two flocks of Meatmasters in adjacent
camps without their jumping the fence. I have
even kept rams alongside of my flock of ewes
without their jumping the fence. The drought
caused those to be the only two camps that
still had grazing and I was forced to keep the
animals in adjacent camps.
The fact that Meatmasters move around in a
flock also makes it more difficult for predators
to catch them. If a farm has many predators
or problems with sheep theft, the farmer can
use a shepherding system. A shepherd lets the
sheep out in the morning and gathers them in
the evening. The Meatmaster is the ideal sheep
to farm with in this way.
2. Grootte en aanpasbaarheid van
Meatmasters
Dit is vir my opvallend dat my skape se grootte
wissel van jaar tot jaar. As jy ‘n baie erge
droogte ervaar is dit of die hele lammeroes
net kleiner is. Die grootte van diere op die
veld pas aan by ‘n goeie jaar waar jy verstom
staan hoe mooi en groot die diere is teenoor
‘n droogtejaar wanneer jy dink dat die skape
darem klein is. Ten spyte van hierdie maerder
en kleiner skaap vat hulle nog steeds baie goed
ram. Dit wys hoe die Meatmaster kan aanpas
by omstandighede en nogsteeds presteer.
3. Vrugbaarheid.
In September het my ooie met lammers
geloop. In die najaar is dit normaalweg maar
droog in Namibië. Ek was verstom toe die
meeste van hierdie ooie weer in die Februarie/
Maart lamseisoen gelam het. Dit sal jy nie
maklik onder moeilike omstandighede by
ander rasse kry nie. In April ‘n paar jaar terug
het ‘n ram oor ‘n 35 dae periode 78 ooie laat
lam van 101 ooie wat met lammers geloop.
Met die tweelinge het ek meer as 100 lammers
aangekry van hierdie 78 ooie.
4. Moedereienskappe
Die ras se moedereienskappe is net ongelooflik.
As jy die ooie en lammers moet uithaal vir
rekordhouding is dit maklik. Die ooie is so erg
oor hulle lammers dat jy sonder moeite elke
ooi by sy lam of tweeling kry.
5. Geharde taai skaap.
Meatmaster ooie vrek nie sommer nie maar
dit gebeur wel. ‘n Lam waarvan die ma gevrek
het kan onder moeilike omstandighede nog
steeds groot word op die veld. Goeie toesig
2. Size and adaptability of Meatmasters
It is striking to me that the size of my sheep
varies from year to year. If one experience a
very severe drought, it is as if the size of the
entire lamb crop is smaller. The size of the
animals on the veld adjusts to a good year,
where one is amazed at how beautiful and
large the animals are compared to a drought
year, when one might think the sheep are
small. Despite these sheep being leaner and
smaller, they still become pregnant easily.
This shows how the Meatmaster can adapt to
conditions and still perform well.
3. Fertility
In September, my ewes walked with their lambs.
In the autumn, it is usually dry in Namibia. I
was amazed when most of these ewes lambed
again in the February/March lambing season.
You will not easily get this with other breeds
under difficult circumstances. A few years
ago, one April, over a 35-day period, 78 ewes
out of 101 ewes walking with lambs lambed
after being mated with one ram. The multiples
included, these 78 ewes gave me more than
100 lambs.
4. Mothering traits
The maternal instinct of the breed is simply
incredible. It is easy to gather the ewes and
lambs for record keeping. The ewes are so
fond of their lambs that it is easy to pair each
ewe with her lamb or twins.
5. Hardy, tough sheep
Meatmaster ewes do not die easily, but
sometimes it does happen. Under difficult
circumstances, a lamb whose mother has died
can still grow up on the veld. However, good
MEATMASTER 2019 69
 is egter belangrik. Ek wil aanbeveel dat boere supervision is important. I would recommend
hulle diere inent teen siektes wat in hulle area that farmers vaccinate their sheep against
voorkom. Dit sal ook wys wees om vroegtydig diseases that occur in their area. It is also
teen bloednier te ent. wise to vaccinate against pulpy kidney
(enterotoxaemia).
6. Bestuurswenk.
6. Management hint
Baie boere in Namibië glo daaraan om
ramlammers nie te kastreer nie, omdat hulle Many farmers in Namibia do not believe in
dan vinniger groei. My ondervinding egter is castrating ram lambs because they then grow
dat dit onder goeie veldtoestande werk maar faster. My experience is that it works under
onder swak toestande (gewoonlik najaar) groei good veld conditions; however, under poor
jou gekastreerde ramlam beter en gradeer die conditions (usually autumn), castrated ram
lam goed terwyl jou ramlam wat nie gekastreer lambs grow better and grade well, while non-
is nie die heeltyd besig is met die ooie en ‘n castrated ram lambs are constantly busy with
nul gradeer. the ewes and grade zero.

It is an incredible privilege to farm with

Meatmasters. When I think about the breed, I
cannot help but smile because the breed is so
close to my heart, and good for my pocket as
well. This is the case with many Meatmaster
farmers.

It all begins with a visit to a place where people still count

WHO AND WHAT ARE WE? • DIY items like, tools, ladders, screws and SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES IN THE GROUP
accessories;
Kaap Agri Namibia is an agricultural services group that Agrimark - a chain of retail stores that offer direct
distributes goods and services mainly to the agricultural • Camping equipment and related accessories for the agricultural production inputs and related products.
sector, but also the general public. outdoor enthusiast;
Expressmark - Fuel and convenience offering to the
These goods and services include: • Food, cleaning agents and clothing, which includes general public.
protective clothing;
• Direct agricultural production inputs such as fertiliser, Financing - A wide range of financing products is
• Irrigation equipment;
seeds and pesticides; available to fulfill the diverse agricultural financing
• Financing of these products and services; needs of our clients.
• Animal feeds, animal health and pet-related
products; • Delivery services. Available Facilities
• Fuels, oils, lubrication and tyres; OWNERSHIP • Cash/deposit accounts;
• Industrial and domestic gas; Kaap Agri Namibia is a private company of which 50% • 30-day accounts;
• Gardening and agricultural irrigation products; shareholding is Namibian-owned by the Pupkewitz • Seasonal accounts ( 60 days to 12 months) .
Group of Companies.
• Related products, such as pruning shears, tools and
wire; GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION OF TRADING POINTS
• Fencing materials, such as wire and poles; Kaap Agri Namibia provides these goods and services
• Building materials, such as cement, timer, paint, through a network of 16 trading points across 14 cities
corrugated iron and plastic; and towns throughout Namibia. Particularly in the
larger towns and cities, Agrimark concentrates on the
• Horticultural supplies, like tools, fertiliser and
destination customer who desires a wide range of items
chemicals;
under one roof.
Contact your nearest branch for more information regarding our products and services:
Agrimark: Aranos (063) 272 375 • Gobabis (062) 565 335 • Gochas (063) 250 007 • Grootfontein (063) 248 500 • Hardap (063) 240 897 • Keetmanshoop (063) 227 450
Mariental (063) 241 309 • Omaruru (064) 571 418 • Otjiwarongo (067) 300 300 • Rehoboth (062) 521 550 • Stampriet (063) 260 046 • Windhoek (061) 401 490
Expressmark: Grunau (063) 262 059 • Ondangwa (067) 240 483 • Rehoboth (062) 521 550 • Stampriet (063) 260 046

Windhoek Head Office:

70
Plot 211, c/o Monte Christo Ave & Industria Str,
2019 MEATMASTER
Lafrenz Ext 1, Windhoek
Follow us on
@kaapagri
PART OF THE KAAP AGRI NAMIBIA GROUP
0004 (Judge Seun)
Hanekom Boerdery
Johnny & Deanne Hanekom | Meatmasters

Cigar

Tel: 081 129 1816 / 081 379 0549

TOT EER VAN GOD
Frommels (Judge Seun) Krokodil Magnum (Shotgun Seun)

Rock & Roll Sherrif (Regter Seun) Starbucks (Pronk Sen)

Tiger’s Eye Tom Triplet

Windgat (Pronk Seun) Yster Ton

MEATMASTER 2019 71
72 2019 MEATMASTER