About Jacobs Boerdery

From Banker to Baker to Beef farmer!
David snr. farmed part time while he worked in Ladysmith, waiting for us boys to grow up and give a hand on the farm.

Tough thorn veld and relative little attention required a tough breed and lots of hardiness, so Brahmans were the obvious choice as baseline. Temperament played an important role in controlling stock theft. On a sale it was often the more lively bull that drew Dads attention, “ a bull must be able to stand its ground!”

Especially in the beginning, Dad experimented with different cross breeds. From an Angus to a Limousin bull had a turn on the farm, but either the bull did not last long or the offspring weren’t up to scratch.

Although we had a couple problems in the beginning with “softer” Simmentaler bulls, their exceptional progeny (Simbra) ensured that this was the cross breed to stick with. By this time we (sons) were involved full time and the full potential of the farming enterprise could be utilized and expanded.

We decided to start a Simmentaler stud to breed hardy, adapted bulls for our own use. As the farming setup expanded, land was leased in different areas. As for the cattle, it meant they had to be hardy, adaptable and fertile. These characteristics were the cornerstone of progress, it insured that the return on capital was positive and growth was ensured.

With years of selective cross breeding, unwanted characteristics were “outbred” and positive traits were more definitely fixed to achieve a well balanced, adapted animal that can produce well.

The animals that are currently on the farm, is the result of nearly 20 years of hard work to make the sum add up. The Simbra breed has the added advantage that the ⅜ : ⅝ ratio can be adapted either way to suit individual needs to insure a successful and profitable enterprise.