Julius Beukes Builds a Premier Dohne Merino Stud at Bessiesfontein

Julius Beukes operates a mixed farming enterprise on the lower slopes of the Drakensberg near Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal. His primary goal is breeding fertile Dohne Merino sheep that grow quickly and produce high-quality wool, alongside managing a commercial cattle herd. The crops he cultivates mainly support his livestock operation, with contractors handling planting and harvesting.

Beukes began his farming journey in 1994 with 16 ewes and prioritized constructing a stone kraal near his homestead. Over the years, he has developed the Bessiesfontein Dohne Merino stud into a leading dual-purpose operation, producing both meat and wool. He credits mentors Walter Pretorius and Henri Londt for shaping his breeding decisions and operational strategies.

Dohne Merino sheep are known for high fertility and reproductive efficiency. Beukes emphasizes that careful management, bloodline selection, and record-keeping are essential for maintaining a successful stud. “One weak gene can degrade the entire stud’s reputation,” he notes. Buyers need confidence, so all breeding claims are supported with accurate records.

Beukes applies a scientific approach to sheep breeding, using data-driven decisions in nutrition, production, and herd management. Performance testing occurs at 12 months, with wool and body measurements sent to the Wool Testing Bureau and processed through SA Studbook/Logix to calculate BLUP (best linear unbiased prediction) breeding values. These values guide selection for traits such as fertility, growth, wool quality, and overall productivity.

Deep pedigrees are central to Bessiesfontein, with carefully selected sires mated to top maternal lines. Beukes stresses the importance of both genetic quality and functionality. Animals must conform to breed standards, demonstrate good mobility, feed efficiency, fertility, and adaptability to their environment. Disease and parasite resistance are also key selection criteria, ensuring commercial producers receive hardy, low-maintenance rams.

Artificial insemination and laparoscopy programs optimize lambing rates. Rams are assessed for reproductive fitness, including semen quality, morphology, and screening for venereal diseases. Ewes are prepared through targeted feeding and mineral supplementation, with follow-up rams used to maximize conception rates. Non-conceiving ewes and underperforming rams are culled, and their wool and meat are utilized efficiently.

Wool management is critical. Sheep are sheared twice yearly, with wool averaging 17.8 microns in diameter and 3.5kg to 5kg produced per sheep annually. Beukes balances fine wool quality with environmental adaptability, protecting against moisture, dust, and fungal contamination.

Nutrition is carefully managed across life stages. Rams receive high-protein feed before breeding, and ewes are flushed with protein- and energy-rich rations before and after mating. Multiples are given specialized feeding during lambing, and lambs receive creep feed for optimal growth. Sheep and cattle graze on maize residues, and cover crops maintain soil health and supplement feed during winter.

Predation, theft, and environmental challenges require nightly kraaling, strategic patrolling, and careful farm management. Beukes also maintains a commercial cattle herd, transitioning from Drakensbergers to Bonsmaras for market preference and better calf marketing.

Knowledge sharing is central to Beukes’ philosophy. He hosts Dohne Merino judging courses for Weston Agricultural College pupils and encourages emerging farmers to learn from established practices. He believes collaboration strengthens the agricultural sector and develops the next generation of breeders and commercial farmers.

Through meticulous breeding, data-driven management, and sustainable practices, Julius Beukes has built Bessiesfontein into a benchmark for profitable and resilient livestock farming, demonstrating the value of science, strategy, and stewardship in South African agriculture.