Koala Park’s beef production and dual backgrounding system

At the Zimbabwe Herd Book's 13th Beef School recently held in Bulawayo, cattle producers and industry stakeholders gathered to explore innovative approaches to cattle production that are transforming the local beef sector. Among the standout presentations was an insightful analysis from Koala Park's Willy Swan, who shared how his company has revolutionised its operations through a strategic dual cattle backgrounding system.

 Koala Park is one of the biggest players in our beef industry. They combine an intensive 90-day program with cost-effective 180-day strategy to maximise profitability.

A comprehensive analysis shared by Koala Park’s Willy Swan reveals how the company has transformed its operations through an innovative dual cattle backgrounding system, setting new standards for efficiency and profitability in Zimbabwe's beef industry.

The company's approach utilises two distinct systems: a high-intensity 90-day program near urban areas and a more traditional 180-day farm-based system, each designed to optimise different aspects of cattle development while maximising returns for producers.

The intensive 90-day system, operated from an in-town feedlot, focuses on rapid weight gain through high-energy rations containing 10-10.5 MJ/kg energy and 14-16% crude protein. Cattle consume 8kg of feed daily, achieving impressive growth rates of 0.8-1.2kg per day.

"Starting with 200kg steers, we can achieve 290kg animals in just 90 days. This system is perfect for quick turnaround and capitalises on proximity to feed suppliers and processing facilities."

In contrast, the 180-day farm-based system takes a more sustainable approach, utilising pasture grazing (veld or stover) supplemented with less energy-dense, lower-cost feeds at 5kg per day. While growth rate targets are more moderate at 0.5-0.8kg daily, the final weights reach an impressive 326kg from the same 200kg starting point.

Advantages of reduced feed costs with the reliance on “pasture” and cheaper supplemental feed lowers the overall expenses. The pasture-based system also requires less daily management compared to the intensive system whilst the lower stocking density and more natural environment can lead to fewer health issues.

Economic efficiency driving success

The cost analysis reveals striking differences between the systems. The intensive program costs USD 145 per tonne for feed, resulting in USD 1.16 per kilogram of weight gain. However, the farm-based system achieves remarkable efficiency at just USD 0.64 per kilogram of gain, using USD 90 per tonne feed costs.

"The farm-based system delivers 68% return on investment compared to 42% for the intensive system," the analysis shows. "This 40% reduction in cost per kilogram of weight gain demonstrates the strategic value of our dual approach."

Breeding success rates vary by breed

The company's breeding program demonstrates significant variation in pregnancy diagnosis (PD) rates across six different cattle breeds in their herd composition. Bonsmara leads with an impressive 88% PD rate, followed by Sangas at 78%, Angoni at 77%, and Boran at 75%. Brahman cattle achieve a 69% rate, while Beefmaster shows a 60% PD rate.

These breed-specific performance metrics reveal the strategic value of maintaining a diverse herd composition. At the highest performing rate of 88% (Bonsmara), producers can expect significantly higher calf crops compared to lower-performing breeds, directly impacting the economic viability of different breed selections within the operation.

The breeding operation maintains a bull-to-cow ratio of 1:15, with all breeding bulls kept under six years of age. Summer breeding runs from December 1st to March 31st, with only one bulling season per year.

Flexibility for market adaptation

Swan emphasised the systems' complementary nature: "The 90-day intensive system is our high-octane, fast-track program, while the 180-day system is our cost-effective, long-term strategy. Together, they provide flexibility to adapt to market conditions and feed availability."

The controlled environment of the intensive system allows precise monitoring of feed intake and animal health, while the farm-based approach promotes natural grazing behaviour and improved animal welfare through lower stocking densities.

The comprehensive maintenance regime supporting both systems ensures optimal animal health and performance throughout the backgrounding phase, preparing cattle for successful finishing operations.

For producers looking to implement similar strategies, the analysis provides detailed performance metrics and cost comparisons that could guide investment decisions and operational planning across the region.