1. Sheep and Veld management
Province of the
EASTERN CAPE
DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND AGRARIAN REFORM
Sustainability and economic impact of Vukani Sheep Improvement Project in Allen Water under Lukhanji Local Municipality
M. N. Mgolozelwa, S. Ngambu
Department of Rural Development & Agrarian Reform, Private Box X300, Whittlesea, 5360, Eastern Cape,
Republic of South Africa.
Department of Rural Development & Agrarian Reform, P.O. Box 112, Queenstown, 5320, Eastern Cape,
Trainings
Background
Allen Waters is a village situated at about 30 km from Whittlesea (32° 19’S, 26° 48’E) in the Hewu district of the former Ciskei in the Eastern Cape Province. The original property was commercial farm, (hence the name), and became communal village in Locally, it is commonly known as Diphala.
The project was initiated in year 2000, sheep were among livestock species reported to have high production impact. For years till to date, the project have been farming with Dohne merino and Merino breed. Wool sheep presents an opportunity & highly prioritised because of good veld quality, natural resources and the established market.
Picture 3: Training on wool sorting held in Vukani sheep project
Sheep and Veld management
The project comprises of approximately 1860 ha with 8 well fenced camps. The project is practicing rotational grazing system. There are 3 members of the committee that are responsible for veld management to avoid overgrazing which could result to land degradation. They have separate camp that is allocated for creep feeding. Rams are kept separately from the main flock. During mating season each an every member have to pay R20/ ewe in order to be served. This money is used to buy replacement rams for the project.
Achievements
In year 2003, the project won the best quality wool award. In year 2004 – 2011, NWGA held regional flock shows whereby these farmers won all the categories in all the above mentioned years. Awarded by Land care as a Star Project in 2004, thirty jobs were created during the construction phase of the shearing shed. In year 2007 and 2009 Vukani sheep project won first position as the best quality wool producers in Chris Hani district. In 2010 Vukani sheep project won first position as best quality wool producers in Chris Hani and 2nd position in the Eastern Cape.
Picture 1: Sheep at the shearing shed prior shearing
YEAR
No. of sheep owners
Sheep shorn
No. of bales produced
Mass/kg
Income received
2010 64
2993 66
9852 R
2011 68
3064 75
10694 R
2012 65
3245
10408kg R
2013 61
2819
10156kg R
2014 54
2554 60
8588kg R
Shearing management
The project start shearing in mid October every year. Project rams are shorn separately and the money for their wool is used to buy feed, vaccines and other needs to keep the project running. After shearing has been done they sell their wool to BKB in Port Elizabeth.
Picture 2: Wool bales produced by the project to be sold to BKB
table 1: Statistics of sheep shorn and income earned across they production years
Conclusion
Management strategies applied, trainings attended suggest sustainability given that these have significant impact on smooth running of the project. As so far the positive impact of the project can be permitted given that profit earned from wool has increased from 2010 to 2014 by 32%.
Acknowledgements
I wish to acknowledge:
The Chris Hani District Department of Rural Development & Agrarian Reform
The 50th SASAE congress