HERFS/AUTUMN BONUS TYDSKRIF 2026

Starting a sheep feedlot is about more than just putting lambs in a pen and feeding them. The layout of the feedlot makes a big difference in howwell the animals grow and how easy it is tomanage. A good slope and drainage keep the pens dry, while the right aspect and shade help sheep handle heat and cold better. How infrastructure andmanagement boost feedlot profitability Robert Vigne – Technical Advisor: Extensive ruminants The practical side is just as important. Strong fences and good security stop losses and keep predators out. Well-designed feeding troughs and a proper feed mixing setup mean less waste and more consistent feeding. Even something like an office plays a role, as it’s where you keep records, plan rations, and manage staff. Put all these pieces together, and you’ve got the backbone of a feedlot that runs smoothly and grows profitably. Figure 1 is an example of a well-designed feedlot. The shade and water are away from the feed bunks, and they are also under cover to prevent the weather from spoiling the feed. The feeding system is automatic, which reduces the labour factor on the feedlot, but reduces flexibility in ration changes and changes in individual pen feed allocations. The slope and aspect of this lot are good; however, the abnormally high rainfall in the year the picture was taken is misleading. Here are two conventional feedlots in the Free State (Figure 2) showing a simple design. One opting for self-feeders and the other for manual conveyor belt feed bunks. Manual feeding and increased feeding frequency reduce feed wastage and increase intakes, but at a higher labour cost. Figure 1: A well-designed feedlot www.agribonus.co.za Herfs/Autumn 2026 BONUS 139