Thabong FARMS at Camp Sekgwa

04/04/2026

11/03/2026

Why Every Farmer Needs a Strategy (Annual Plan) 🌱🐔

Many farmers work extremely hard every day, but sometimes we operate without a clear annual plan or strategy for our farms. Farming is a business, and like any business, it performs better when there is a clear plan.

At Thabong FARMS at Camp Sekgwa, we are learning that having a strategy helps guide decisions and keep the farm moving in the right direction.

Here are a few reasons why every farming enterprise should have an annual plan:

1️⃣ Clear Direction
A strategy defines your vision for the farm. For example:
• Are you growing production?
• Entering new markets?
• Improving efficiency?

Without a plan, it is easy to move without direction.

2️⃣ Better Financial Control
Planning helps you estimate:
• Input costs (feed, chicks, medication)
• Expected sales
• Profit margins

This helps avoid surprises and improves cash flow management.

3️⃣ Production Targets
A good plan sets measurable goals such as:
• Batch size
• Mortality targets
• Feed conversion targets
• Cost per bird

These targets help track whether the farm is improving or not.

4️⃣ Risk Management
Farming faces many risks such as:
• Disease outbreaks
• Feed price increases
• Market fluctuations

A strategy helps you think ahead and prepare for these challenges.

5️⃣ Continuous Improvement
When you plan, you can review your performance at the end of the season and improve your operations every year.

We believe even small-scale farmers should think strategically. A simple plan that outlines your vision, goals, production plan, and key performance indicators can make a big difference.

📌 Fellow farmers:
Do you currently have a written plan or strategy for your farm this year?

Let’s share ideas and learn from each other.

02/03/2026

At Thabong FARMS at Camp Sekgwa, we were having an interesting debate this past weekend.

A fellow farmer told me she spent time over the weekend crushing and mixing her own chicken feed. It immediately reminded me of how artists produce their own sound in studio — hands-on, controlled, intentional. 🎶

But here was my question to her:

How do you know it’s actually cheaper to mix your own feed than to buy complete feed — if you haven’t done the costing?

Producing your own feed may sound economical. You control ingredients. You adjust formulas. You feel independent.

But have you factored in:
• Cost of raw materials
• Transport
• Milling/crushing costs
• Electricity or fuel
• Labour (including your own time)
• Nutritional balancing & wastage
• Storage losses

On the other hand, ready-made feed may look expensive per bag — but:
• They are nutritionally balanced
• Save time
• Reduce formulation risk
• Often improve feed conversion if quality is consistent

So the real question is not “Which is cheaper?”

The real question is:
Which gives you the best cost per kilogram of weight gain or production output?

At Thabong Farms, we believe farming decisions must be driven by numbers — not assumptions.

What’s your view?
Do you mix your own feed or buy complete feed?
And most importantly — have you done the costing?

Let’s discuss. 👇🏾

28/02/2026

P17,000. A Jack son. 100% Makwala brother. 72873666. Dikgonnye Kgatleng