By the time South Africa went into hard lock down in 2020 in response to COVID-19, very few economic activities were allowed in the country, with the notable exception of cattle farming.
With our deep, extensive experience in game, dairy and cattle farming we decided to start buying, raising and selling cattle as a significant business.
That business has evolved into what is today Swahele Feedlot, a successful enterprise, which is run very successfully by the Swanepoel family.
At about the same time, the then 15-year-old Zack, got his first taste of the Ankole Cattle. He was drawn to the unique characteristics and beautiful features of the Ankole and convinced his uncle, André and his dad Bernard to buy a few.
As we soon found out, there were only about 25 registered full blood Ankole farmers in the country at the time, owning about 600 Ankole of which only about half were female.
Key Insights
Two things became obvious to us. Firstly, building our Fire Sky Ankole herd, and ultimately our dream Swanepoel Ankole Stud herd, was not only going to be very expensive and take time, but access to top quality genetics from such a small gene pool was clearly a challenge.
Flowing from this was the second insight, that for our dream to be realised, this space (Ankole breeding and farming) needed to be expanded.
After accumulating a few female animals from auctions and through direct sales, the choice we faced was clear – either we should own and breed Ankole cattle as a hobby or we should own and build an Ankole business. But building a substantial Ankole business appeared daunting and near impossible because of the remarkable scarcity of these animals in SA as well as their limited genetic variety.
A Fresh Approach
Applying our understanding of livestock farming, in conjunction with a business approach driven by scale, excited the entire Fire Sky Ankole team.
Fresh and innovative ideas are all very well, but as Fire Sky Ankole, the new entrants in this space, we were aware of the critical importance of understanding the current environment.
To this end we visited various embryo facilities specialised enough to make Ankole embryos. We learned from them and continue to collaborate with them. We believe that transferring live embryos, made with sexed semen, at scale into recipient heifers is an achievable goal – particularly if we partner with our current service providers.
In addition to the embryo facilities, we have had the privilege of visiting many of the existing Ankole farmers and absorbing their expertise and knowledge. Perhaps, because this is still a small and relative young industry in South Africa, we were surprised by the alignment in thinking and practices amongst most current farmers.
These are passionate people that believe in what they are doing.
The Fire Sky difference (what makes us unique)
By early 2022 we made a bold call – to leverage our existing expertise and facilities and commit to commercial Ankole farming. We modernised and expanded our feedlot and intensive farming facilities to create a one-of-a-kind production facility. This enables us to produce significant quantities of female Ankole animals of top-quality genetics, whilst simultaneously improving the national herd quality, responsibly and quickly.
We are also expanding the base of ownership by providing new farmers with access to quality animals.
The Family Connection
We are not only a multi-generational family business, we are also a family of related businesses, each focusing on a specific aspect of our Ankole project.
Swahele Feedlot:
A successful commercial feedlot which provides unlimited access to potential recipient heifers. It also procures feed and provides animal health and cattle management services.
Fire Sky Ankole:
Owns, produces and sells top quality female Ankole animals. Buyers are able to choose from the widest range of genetics as well as physical features, (right now in the Ankole space, beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder). Fire Sky Ankole’s young Stephen Marais literally lives, breathes and sleeps Ankole cattle, and could probably teach even the most knowledgeable farmers a thing or two, thanks to his practical experience.
Fire Sky Genetics:
Our in-house, fully- fledged genetic facility – the ‘go to’ centre of excellence for all issues pertaining to Ankole fertility.
Salga Ankole:
Is the registered entity through which Zack Swanepoel (now 18) is spearheading the Moletši Community Project in collaboration with Kgoshi Moloto III, the traditional leader of Moletši. All cattle farmers have a problem with surplus bulls. Ankole farmers are no different. This project will supply surplus full-blooded Fire Sky Ankole bulls into the community in order to improve communal farmers’ cattle in a responsible and economically viable way. Other breeders are welcome to join this project.
Swanepoel Ankole Stud:
Is the entity which aspires to become the premier Ankole stud in South Africa within the next five years. Top genetics, for both horns and build, will be blended with the beautiful dark brown colours of the traditional Ugandan Ankole to create beautiful and commercially viable animals.
Our Dream
Imagine if…
We could enhance the limited Ankole gene pool in South Africa by selecting only the best 5% of bulls for breeding, and supporting initiatives to introduce new genetics through formal channels into the national herd.
Imagine if…
As Swanepoel Ankole Stud we could select only the top 40 female animals from this expanded gene pool.
Imagine if…
As Fire Sky Ankole, we were to play a significant role in expanding the South African national herd of Ankole cattle in a responsible and economically sustainable way.
Imagine if…
By expanding the number of available female animals (particularly to new entrants) of top-quality genetic provenance, we could be the catalyst for Ankole cattle to be owned and farmed for both their beauty AND their commercial value, by a diverse and inclusive group of passionate South Africans!