PJ Budler's Journey and Global Livestock Insights

PJ Budler, a fifth-generation cattle farmer from Tarestat, Northeastern Cape, South Africa, developed an early and enduring obsession with livestock, which he believes is crucial for making a difference in any field. After high school, he gained international experience working on a cattle farm in Scotland, observing different beef industry approaches. His career path saw him scale his cattle operations by partnering with property developer Lou Favvat, learning to think economically and managing diverse breeds across varied climates and cattle cultures in South Africa, Maitius, and Nuivarango. This experience taught him that a one-size-fits-all management program is ineffective, and approaches must be customized to each region, leading to a humbling but educational process.

Recognizing a lack of connection among global cattle industries, Budler founded an international livestock initiative, basing it in Texas due to its geographical accessibility and significant industry presence catering to both tropical and temperate breeds.

Global Livestock Industry Observations: Budler notes that livestock producers worldwide share key similarities: they are independent thinkers, obsessed with their work, and generally prioritize product quality over immediate profit. However, vast differences exist in climate, environment, politics, and "cattle cultures" – such as preferences for cattle color (e.g., red in South Africa, black in America) or size. He stresses the importance of listening and understanding local context before offering advice, citing examples from the Seychelles, where manure was a primary source of income, and Cameroon, where traditional methods of disease management were highly instructive.

Regional and Country-Specific Insights:

• USA: Is extremely progressive, with both exceptional good and bad practices, and is Angus dominant.
• Uruguay and Argentina: Focus on lower-input systems where cows work for the farmer, rather than the reverse, and are Angus dominant.
• Australia and New Zealand: Are lauded for phenomenal pasture management and practicality. Australia is Angus dominant.
• Japan: Features an intensive, totally different industry, utilizing breeds like Wagyu for a distinct eating experience (smaller, premium portions) and is almost all Wagyu.
• Continental Europe: Is dominated by breeds like Limousin, Charolais, and Simmentaler, similar to the British Isles.

South Africa's Unique Position: Budler highlights several advantages for South African livestock producers:

• Adapted Cattle: South African cattle are well-suited to their environment, resulting in less heat stress compared to some other regions.
• Economic Necessity: Tight margins have forced South African producers, especially those with small ruminants, to prioritize good, productive livestock.
• Government Non-Interference: The government's relative lack of involvement is seen as a "huge positive," allowing farmers significant freedom to innovate and grow their businesses without excessive regulations, unlike in many parts of Western Europe, South Korea, China, and Japan.
• Skilled Labor: South Africa possesses a significant benefit in its livestock labor, with many individuals growing up on farms and having a strong cultural affinity for cattle.

Regarding breeds in South Africa, Bonsmara and Beefmaster are numerically dominant, with Brahman-influenced breeds thriving in tropical, insect-prone, humid areas. Angus is growing in more temperate regions, and terminal breeds like Charolais and Limousin are used for feedlot cattle. Budler appreciates the diversity of breeds, seeing them as "laboratories" for finding solutions.

Importance of Exports: Budler strongly advocates for livestock exports as they provide an outlet that prevents large retail stores and feedlots from price-fixing, thereby uplifting the entire domestic industry. He identifies the Middle East and North Africa as massive premium markets for beef, lamb, and goat meat due to their inability to produce locally and their meat-eating culture. Furthermore, selling genetics into sub-Saharan Africa is crucial, as the breeds and breeders are already adapted to African diseases and conditions, offering a "massive uplift of premium on the genetics" by focusing on the "backyard". South American markets also present good opportunities for elite genetics.

Current Engagements: Budler recently judged the Limousin National Show in Bloemfontein, describing the female show as genuinely "one of the best in the world" alongside Argentina. He is currently traveling to Uruguay to judge at the World Angus Forum.

The Old Mutual Inter-Breed Championships, also known as the "World Cup of Shows in South Africa," is an annual competition that identifies the best cattle in South Africa. It is considered the "champions of champions" event, holding a very high status and serving as a platform to honor the genetics and hard work of South African farmers.

Key aspects of the championships include:

• Qualification Process: Entry is not direct; animals must qualify. To do so, an animal must have won the supreme male or female champion title in its specific breed at one of approximately 10 designated agricultural shows across South Africa. Examples of these qualifying shows include Hertsog Wil, Ligtenburg, Vryburg, Bloemskou, Nampo, Alisras, Tabazimbi, George, Swartland, and the Parys All-Breed Show. Only winners from these championships are invited to the Inter-Breed Championships at Nampo Alfa.
• Judging: Qualifying shows use an independent panel of judges. At the Inter-Breed Championships, an international judge, such as PJ Butler, independently evaluates the animals. A unique aspect of the inter-breed judging is that it does not compare different breeds against each other. Instead, it compares an individual animal's qualities within its own breed to another breed, focusing on how well each animal exemplifies the desired traits of its specific breed. This approach aims to set standards and showcase the ideal representation of each breed.
• Awards: Annually, the best cow and the best bull in South Africa are named at Nampo Alfa.
• History and Growth: The competition is eight years old this year, having started in 2016 at Paris Safred Dome. It has since grown to become the flagship competition of Nampo Alfa.
• Past Winners: The event has seen a variety of winners, including Simmentaler, Limousin, Brahman, and Angus. John Davenport, a breeder, has won the inter-breed competition three times with Limousines.
• Event Experience: The event is described as a "nail-biting" occasion. Animals parade through the hall among tables and people, creating significant excitement for attendees before the winners are announced.
• Support and Future: With Old Mutual's assistance, efforts are being made to support qualifiers with transport and accommodation, addressing a significant expense for stud farmers. This support aims to add more prestige to the event.
• Participation Numbers: Currently, a maximum of 20 animals (10 cows and 10 bulls, representing the winners from 10 shows) participate, though organizers wish to expand this in the future.

John and Tracy, who met at Vitz University and married four years later, began their farming journey in 1988 with their first farm on the Vaal Dam. Initially, they started with commercial cattle, crossing Brahman cattle with a Limousin bull, and achieving good results in slaughter ox competitions. This success led them to establish a Devlan Limousin stud, as their cross-bred cattle were being slaughtered, prompting them to move into breeding.

The Limousin breed is highlighted as an efficient breed for producing more meat, with 20% more beef on the carcass compared to the average. It boasts better average daily gains and feed conversions, resulting in tender beef for the consumer. This efficiency, combined with increased carcass yield (60% versus an average 50%), translates to 70% more quantity of beef overall.

Their farming operation has expanded to seven farms, totaling 1,340 hectares on a large peninsula with 20 km of waterfront. They cultivate maize in summer and cover crops in winter, utilizing electric fences and high-intensive strip grazing to enhance carrying capacity. They currently manage 700 animals, plus an additional 100 Droughtmaster heads.

John and Tracy participate in cattle shows and interbreed championships, such as the NO Alpha, to showcase their cattle, promote their breed, and compare their performance against other breeders. Winning these competitions, particularly the overall supreme champion of champions, brings significant prestige, honor, and public recognition to their stud.

The beef industry faces several challenges, including rising costs, dropping meat prices, and intense competition from the chicken industry, which has a significantly better feed conversion rate (1.38 kg feed per 1 kg chicken vs. 6 kg feed per 1 kg beef). Additionally, foot-and-mouth disease restricts beef exports, though there are exports to the Middle East. There's also a lack of focus on protein in national diet discussions, with emphasis often placed on grains.

To address these challenges and improve efficiency, John and Tracy propose several solutions:

• Using the "right type of bull," specifically a Limousin-type bull, on commercial and indigenous animals to automatically generate more meat quantity. This leverages hybrid vigor, a concept they believe has been overlooked.
• Implementing a confirmation score system (1-5), where a round, beefy carcass (a five) is rewarded with a 10% premium on meat price, and a fat, flat carcass (a one or two) is penalized by 10%. This simple, common-sense approach would incentivize farmers to produce more beef without additional cost to the industry and encourage the use of appropriate genetics.
• Breaking down "silos" within the agri-supply chain to foster collaboration between producers, feedlots, and meat processors, as everyone would benefit.

They believe these changes, particularly focusing on genetics and a sensible confirmation score system, can make the beef industry more competitive against other protein industries by automatically producing more protein. They also highlight the need for greater attention to genetics in the beef industry, similar to the chicken industry, to improve feed efficiency. Their "keep it simple, stupid" recipe for success involves having well-adapted, functionally efficient, fertile cows that consistently produce excellent calves for show competitions.