Yearling Growth Pens
We keep to careful records and a steady hand when choosing yearlings for the growth pens.
Our yearling growth pens are stocked from the fallow and red deer herds at Karoo Edge. They are selected youngsters from the main breeding groups, moved into the growth pens after weaning. Selection begins with careful observation of calves and fawns from birth, noting vigour, movement, and dam behaviour in the veld. By the time we start filling the pens, we have a good sense of which yearlings are growing well on forage and adapting to group life.
We look for yearlings that grow well on pasture with little concentrate. Good legs, straight top lines and even weight gain matter for future herd quality, but we also watch for calmness in the handling kraal. No nervous or aggressive animals are kept in the pen groups: temperament is important for low-stress feeding and group welfare. Sire and dam choices favour diversity, so we use stud records to avoid inbreeding and keep genetic health up. Sometimes a promising calf just doesn’t thrive, so we keep notes on those too and give them a fair chance before making a decision.
All yearlings in the growth pens are tagged and logged to their dam, sire and birth group. We keep weight records at regular intervals, and each lot is named for tracking through the feeding, transition and sale process. Buyers or partners who purchase from this programme receive a pedigree pack with details of the animal’s sire, dam, birth camp, vaccination record and all growth notes. For buyers looking to take animals to another permitted farm, our stud records lead prepares all supporting paperwork, including veterinary signoff where needed.
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