Val Grain Company Bovelders have their roots back in the early 1980s when Dick Kerslake began purchasing Bovelder bulls for use on the Kerslake’s mixed herd of Galloway cows.

The Bovelder bulls were bought from the Johannesburg Municipality’s cattle farm which had an intensive cattle breeding project aimed at creating a fertile, hardy, adaptable beef breed for South African conditions. The program focused on crossbreeding, using Bos-taurus and Bos-Indicus genetics. It involved various reputable animal scientists and was considered one of the most intensive programs of its kind internationally. The herd was known for its exceptional fertility. Heifer calves were mated successfully at 14 months, a rare achievement in those days.

The Bovelder bulls adapted well to the harsh Highveld conditions on the Kerslake’s farm in the Val district of Mpumalanga. The bulls produced sturdy weaner calves that performed well in the feedlot, while the fertility of the heifer calves ensured a reliable source of replacement heifers. The increase in cattle numbers contributed to the viability of the Kerslake farm expansion program. Heifers not retained in the breeding herds were sold.

Over the years, as the beef herd grew, a decision was taken in 2006 to engage with experts from the BBSG (Bovelder Bees Studie Groep) for advice on how to improve the overall cattle management of the beef herd and bring more conformity to the breeding stock. Mr Johan Engelbrecht and Dr At Viljoen from the BBSG were approached to assist with this task. It was the start of a long and fruitful relationship.

When we joined the BBSG we were welcomed into this unique group of cattle breeders and never looked back. We believe in the Bovelder composite philosophy and have worked hard to upgrade our herds to bring them up to the required standard.

Part of our strategy was to make additional purchases of good quality Bovelder bulls and female animals. We started by acquiring a group of heifers from Hirsaw Livestock, as well as semen from a few select bulls to enable us to boost our AI program. Over the years we have continued to buy in new genetic stock from other members of the BBSG.

In 2010 we were fortunate to obtain a selection of top Bovelder genetics when the Johannesburg Municipality sold their well-established Bovelder herd. We bought some young bulls; as well as quantities of semen from proven bulls; plus, a few hundred female animals.

We believe that the Bovelder, with its fertility, adaptability, frame size and meat efficiency is the best breed for optimal profitability.

The Val Grain Company cattle enterprise is made up of various facets, each contributing to the success of the business.

We started with a simple cow/calf enterprise, producing weaners.

Then, as the quality of weaners improved, we decided to add another link to the value chain by backgrounding the weaners on irrigated ryegrass pastures in winter, and dryland pastures, or natural veld in summer.

This proved very successful, so with well backgrounded animals, the next logical step was to start a feedlot, consisting of all own-bred animals, adding yet another link to the value chain. The quality of the animals allowed the feedlot to consistently obtain exceptional average daily gains with a higher slaughter percentage, without the use of Zilmax, which is used in many feedlots.

With a constant supply of prime Bovelder meat available, a decision was taken to add another link to the value chain by opening a butchery. The Highlands Beef Butchery has grown from small beginnings to supplying and delivering meat to customers across Mpumalanga and Gauteng. We have a one hundred percent traceability with our animals, which gives our consumers peace of mind, knowing their meat comes from a reliable source.

Val Grain Company always tries to add value to its beef production unit. For this reason, a decision was taken some years back to start our own bull breeding program. At weaning, a group of potential young bulls are selected and then monitored and evaluated throughout the various growth phases. Dr At Viljoen assists with the final bull selections.

At weaning we also have a rigorous selection process for the heifers. Some heifers are retained as replacement stock for our own herds; others are selected to be sold once certified in calf; some are sold as open heifers; while those that do not make the grade are sent to the feedlot.

Val Grain Company has been a guest seller of bulls and female animals at the annual Hirsaw Livestock production sale since 2020. Heifers are also regularly sold at the annual Elite Bovelder sale.

We have a strong commitment to producing top quality beef animals. We believe the Bovelder is the best breed for our requirements. We support the BBSG in the work they do and over the years various members of the Kerslake family have served on the management board. We believe that integrity, hard work and discipline lie behind the success of our Bovelder beef farming enterprise.