Regenerative Farming | Farm Tsuwandes

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Farm Facts

DESCRIPTION

Mopane and Thornveld Savannah.

ENTERPRISE

Cattle and goats (3600 ha) and game (1400 ha).

PROPERTY SIZE

5001 hectares.

FUNCTIONAL CLASSIFICATION OF AREA

Dry north west with some bush encroachment.

AVERAGE ANNUAL RAINFALL AND VARIABILITY

Average (from 1934 to date): 290 mm; lowest: 87 mm; highest: 932 mm.

ELEVATION

1200 metres above sea level.

OWNED OR RENTED

Owned; part-time management.

MOTIVATION FOR CHANGE AND APPROACH

The dry and variable nature of the rainfall necessitated the adaptations.

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MAIN INNOVATION

To farm with small- to medium-frame farm- adapted animals and to use high density fast moves during the rainfall season and slower moves during the dry season.

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Various encroaching bush species dying off naturally after the seven-year drought. Bare patches are closing over and perennial grasses are slowly returning under this management.

Key Results

From 1993 to 2013, the stocking rate increased continuously
from 3.2 kg/ha to 12 kg/ha (200 cattle, 120 sheep, 100 goats),
before the 2013-2019 drought period began.
The stocking rate decreased to 5 kg/ha during the 2013-2019 drought period. However, the core goat and cattle herds survived this seven-year drought (the worst since 1930) and are recovering fast. Herd building is underway. In all previous extended droughts, the stocking rate decreased to zero and a restart was necessary.
Bare patches have started to close over and perennial grasses (Bloubuff el and Anthephora spp.) are returning.
Since 2000, a natural die-back of several encroaching woody species is occurring, including Acacia refi ciens, Terminalia prun- ioides and Dichrostachys cinerea; however, Colophospermum mopane appears to remain unaff ected.
Predator issues have been addressed by herding small stock during the day and kraaling them every night. Calves are kraaled for four months every night.

Farm Tsuwandes

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Frank and Katrin Bockmühl run the family farm in the dry north western part of Namibia on a part-time basis. Farming here requires a determined mindset. Regenerating the soil landscape is the guiding principle, but when there is no rain, there is no growth.

Key Tips

To farm livestock in areas with extended drought periods and a highly variable rainfall, you must have extremely well-adapted animals of a small to medium frame that are able to utilise the existing browse.
Indigenous goats from north western Namibia are well adapted and well suited for this type of environment.
Expect droughts after several good years and react fast. Destock early in order to see the core herd through the drought. Plan mainly after the rainy season has ended. Constantly observe what is happening to the grass and the animals and interact with your staff .
In high gradient areas, it is important to manage erosion to keep water on the farm and to grow more forage.
Manage predators by keeping herd-bound animals, kraaling small stock and calves at night, keeping dogs with the small stock, and appointing good herders.
Fire in these low and erratic rainfall areas with shallow soil zones is extremely damaging. The rock heats up and kills many established roots. The exposed ground after fi re is rendered vulnerable and poor. When a fi re breaks out, it needs to be extinguished as swiftly as possible and refrain from deliberate burning practices.

Approaches

RESILIENCE OF THE FARM

The stocking rate increased to 12 kg/ha over time. However, during the seven-year drought (2013-2019) the core adapted cattle and goat herds reduced to 6 kg/ha, and then rapidly rebuilt to 10 kg/ha by 2022. In previous extended droughts livestock numbers reduced to zero. If the actual area used after the 2021 fi re is included, the stocking rates for 2021 and 2022 are 11.5 kg/ha and 13.7 kg/ha, respectively. Previous extended droughts resulted in the total destocking of the farm.

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MONEY-MAKING POTENTIAL OF THE FARM

The rainfall patterns illustrate that extended droughts occur every 15 to 20 years. Fast de-stocking and well-adapted animals are necessary requirements in order to survive these adverse conditions. The farm rainfall records demonstrate a 30 mm decline in average annual rainfall since the 1930s.

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CHOICE OF ANIMAL/S

In 1993, Frank took over the farm and brought in Bonsmara cows and bulls. Unfortunately, they did not perform well and the cost of lick was prohibitive. All the oxen were sold in 1996. In 2005, the Bonsmara cows were upgraded with Nguni and Sanga bulls of medium to small frame sizes; and in 2010, indigenous goats. (Himba Appels) were introduced. These adaptations were crucial for the survival of his livestock during the recent drought. Bulls and rams run with the herd all year round, which allows for two main calving and lambing seasons. At times, rams are withheld to restrict lambing during dry conditions.