| Date | Task | Objective |
|---|---|---|
| 14 - 15 August 2024 | Administer CO vaccine + Ovimen to ewes and rams (25ml) | Prepare the ewes and rams for breeding; improve the chances of producing twins and triplets |
| 3 September 2024 |
Administer Ovimen + Cu (25ml) to ewes and rams
Show Covacine Details ▾
Covacine:
- Prevents Palpi Kidney, Bloutong, and Koksidiose - Cost: R500 per 100 ewes |
Boost fertility and health before mating (6 weeks prior to putting rams in) |
| 1 October 2024 | Put rams in with ewes for 6 weeks | Start mating process; aim for lambing in March 2025 |
| February 2025 |
Administer Ovimen + Cu (25ml) and CO vaccine to ewes and rams
Show Afrivet Details ▾
Afrivet Supplies:
- Ovimin and Electroguard @ Electroguard (2 months old lambs) - Combine Ovimin and Electroguard in a 50/50 ratio - Dose 50ml of the mix with Covacine - Cost: R5500 each for Ovimin and Electroguard (Total: R12000 for 1000 sheep) |
Support the ewes in their final trimester; prepare for healthy lambing |
| March 2025 | Lambing expected | Ewes to lamb, aiming for 1.5 lambs per ewe |
| April 2025 - May 2025 |
Begin feeding creep feed to lambs
Show Feed Mix Details ▾
Creep Feed Mix:
- 400kg Milled Lucerne (Alfalfa) - 400kg Mielies (Corn) - 80kg Molasses Meel (2 bags) - 80kg SS200 - 25kg Bypass (Protein) |
Help lambs mature quickly |
| May 2025 |
Wean lambs from ewes (expected weight: 25kg)
Show Weaning Details ▾
Weaning Treatment:
- Administer combined Ovimin and Electroguard (50/50 mix, 50ml dose) - Repeat dosing during weaning - Lindworm treatment as seen in feces of lambs - Roundworm and Noseworm treatment twice a year - Amipour for ticks as needed (upon noticing an increase in ticks) |
Transition lambs to the creep feed mix |
| July 2025 | Lambs should weigh 40kg and be ready for slaughter | Prepare lambs for market or further farming operations |
| August 2025 | Put rams in with ewes for 6 weeks | Repeat the breeding process for the next lambing cycle |
| Ingredient | Quantity per Cycle | Total Quantity (Three Cycles) | Cost per Unit | Total Cost (Three Cycles) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lucerne (Alfalfa) | 400 kg | 1,200 kg | R20 per 30 kg bale | R800 |
| Mielies (Corn) | 400 kg | 1,200 kg | R260 per 40 kg | R7,800 |
| Molasses Meel | 80 kg | 240 kg | R242.50 per 40 kg | R727.50 |
| Voermol (SS200) | 80 kg | 240 kg | R435 per 50 kg | R1,305 |
| Bypass (Protein) | 25 kg | 75 kg | R571.69 per 50 kg | R857.55 |
| Total Feed Cost | R11,490.05 | |||
| Unforeseen Expenses (15%) | R1,723.51 | |||
| Total Cost with Unforeseen Expenses | R13,213.56 |
- **Quantities** and costs are based on the requirements for three 8-month cycles (two-year period).
- **Unforeseen Expenses:** 15% added to cover any unexpected costs related to lamb management.
- **Vaccination Dates Adjusted**: Vaccinations have already been administered in the past few weeks; the timeline forward now aligns with the rams being put in on 22 October 2024.
| Parameter | Value / Formula | Description | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Rams | 26 | Number of rams at the start of the cycle. | ||
| Initial Ewes | 241 | Number of ewes at the start of the cycle. | ||
| New Lambs per Cycle | 1.5 x 241 = 361 | Average number of lambs born per 8-month cycle. | ||
| Total Lambs over Two Years | 3 x 361 = 1,083 | Total lambs born over three cycles (two years). | ||
| Lambs for Slaughter | 1,083 - 8 = 1,075 | Total lambs available for slaughter after keeping 8 rams for breeding. | ||
| Lucerne Cost (Supplementation) |
Clucerne = R12,708 x 3 = R38,124
|
Total cost of lucerne bales over three cycles. | ||
| Molasses Meel Cost |
Cmolasses = R485 x 3 = R1,455
|
Total cost for Molasses Meel over three cycles. | ||
| Mielies Cost |
Cmielies = R2,600 x 3 = R7,800
|
Total cost for Mielies over three cycles. | ||
| Voermol (SS200) Cost |
Cvoermol = R696 x 3 = R2,088
|
Total cost for Voermol (SS200) over three cycles. | ||
| Bypass (Protein) Cost |
Cbypass = R285.85 x 3 = R857.55
|
Total cost for Bypass (Protein) over three cycles. | ||
| Vaccine and Supplement Costs |
Cvaccines = R11,500 x 3 = R34,500
|
Total cost for vaccines and supplements over three cycles. | ||
| Shepherd Cost |
Cshepherd = R551.6/week x 104 weeks = R57,366.40
|
Total shepherd cost over two years. | ||
| Unforeseen Expenses (15%) | R21,328.79 | |||
| New Rams (20% annually) | 26 x R6,500 x 2 | R33,800 | ||
| Slaughtering Cost | 1,075 lambs x R100 = R107,500 | Cost of slaughtering all lambs over two years. | ||
| Total Costs over Two Years | R303,819.74 | |||
| Earnings from Lamb Slaughter (A6 Fatness) |
645 lambs x 22.5kg x R85/kg = R1,233,937.50
|
Estimated earnings from 60% of lambs with A6 fatness. | ||
| Earnings from Lamb Slaughter (A0 Fatness) |
430 lambs x 15kg x R60/kg = R387,000
|
Estimated earnings from 40% of lambs with A0 fatness. | ||
| Earnings from 20% Rams Slaughtered |
Erams = 5.2 rams x 30kg x R85 = R13,260
|
Estimated earnings from slaughtering 20% of rams after 1 year. | ||
| Total Earnings over Two Years | R1,620,937.50 | |||
| Net Profit over Two Years | R1,317,117.76 |
- **Lambing Rate**: Each ewe produces 1.5 lambs per cycle.
- **Carcass Weight**: A6 fatness carcass averages 22.5 kg, while A0 averages 15 kg.
- **Slaughter Cycle**: Slaughter lambs every 8 months, with three cycles over two years.
- **Rams**: Rams should be swapped out after each cycle to prevent inbreeding and maintain healthy breeding size.
- **Unforeseen Expenses:** 15% added to cover any unexpected costs related to ram and ewe management.
- **New Rams:** 20% of the total rams are replaced annually at R6,500 per ram.
- **Slaughtering Cost:** R100 per lamb has been added to the total costs.
| Date | Task | Objective / Costs |
|---|---|---|
| 4 - 5 September 2024 | Administer CO vaccine + Ovimen to ewes and rams (25ml) |
Prepare the ewes and rams for breeding; improve the chances of producing twins and triplets. **Cost**: Covaccine = R500, Ovimen = R5,500 |
| 24 September 2024 | Administer Ovimen + Cu (25ml) to ewes and rams |
Boost fertility and health before mating (6 weeks prior to putting rams in). **Cost**: Included in above Ovimen cost |
| 22 October 2024 | Put rams in with ewes for 6 weeks |
Start mating process; aim for lambing in March 2025. **Note**: Rams should be swapped out after each cycle to avoid inbreeding and to maintain healthy breeding size. |
| Mid-February 2025 |
Administer Ovimen + Cu (25ml) and CO vaccine to ewes and rams
Show Afrivet Details ▾
Afrivet Supplies:
- Ovimin and Electroguard @ Electroguard (2 months old lambs) - Combine Ovimin and Electroguard in a 50/50 ratio - Dose 50ml of the mix with Covacine - **Cost**: Ovimen = R5,500, Electroguard = R5,500 |
Support the ewes in their final trimester; prepare for healthy lambing. |
| Late March 2025 | Lambing expected |
Ewes to lamb, aiming for 1.5 lambs per ewe. **Note**: Ewes give birth every 8 months. |
| April 2025 - May 2025 |
Begin feeding creep feed to lambs
Show Feed Mix Details ▾
Creep Feed Mix:
- 400kg Milled Lucerne (Alfalfa) = R266.67 - 400kg Mielies (Corn) = R2,600 - 80kg Molasses Meel (2 bags) = R485 - 80kg SS200 = R696 - 25kg Bypass (Protein) = R285.85 **Total Cost**: R4,333.52 |
Help lambs mature quickly. |
| May 2025 |
Wean lambs from ewes (expected weight: 25kg)
Show Weaning Details ▾
Weaning Treatment:
- Administer combined Ovimin and Electroguard (50/50 mix, 50ml dose) - Repeat dosing during weaning - Lindworm treatment as seen in feces of lambs - Roundworm and Noseworm treatment twice a year - Amipour for ticks as needed (upon noticing an increase in ticks) |
Transition lambs to the creep feed mix. |
| July 2025 | Lambs should weigh 40kg and be ready for slaughter | Prepare lambs for market or further farming operations. |
| August 2025 | Put rams in with ewes for 6 weeks |
Repeat the breeding process for the next lambing cycle. **Note**: Ensure rams are swapped out after each cycle to prevent inbreeding. |
- **Lambing Rate**: Assumes 1.5 lambs per ewe per cycle.
- **Survival Rate**: Adjusts for an 85% survival rate.
- **Rams**: Rams should be swapped out after each cycle to prevent inbreeding and maintain healthy breeding size.
- **Unforeseen Expenses:** 15% added to cover any unexpected costs related to ram and ewe management.
- **New Rams:** 20% of the total rams are replaced annually at R6,500 per ram.
