Breeding sable for profit
Reasons for breeding sable
By Dries Visser
People often ask why I breed sable. They don’t always say it, but I believe the reason for their interest is that they are themselves interested in breeding sable.
I love these wonderful, majestic antelope. That, in itself, is reason enough for breeding sable, but there are other good reasons too. Game farmers can benefit from breeding sable, because this scarce game species is in high demand. I believe this demand is sustainable over the long term.
The rising demand for high quality breeding sable means their price has risen sharply over the last few years. I strongly believe this trend will continue.
There are a number of reasons for this expectation:
- Farmers currently breeding sable want to expand.
- Many new entrants want to start breeding sable.
- Governments will in future want to ensure their national game parks feature adequate numbers of quality sable.
It’s important to remember how small the sable population was just a few years ago. It’s going to take many years of breeding sable to increase the population substantially. I reckon there are only around 25 000 sable in South Africa today. The numbers in neighbouring countries are definitely lower.
The game industry’s two halves
In addition to breeding, hunting stimulates the game industry. Sable is on the wish list of most hunters. A sable trophy is simply a must-have for any hunter.
The fact that these two halves make up the game industry means that sable, as a scarce game species, will continue to be in strong demand from both breeders and hunters for many years to come. Sable attracts hunters who go on to hunt other plentiful game as well. This ensures sustainable strong cash flow for both the breeding and hunting halves of the game industry.
Some countries in Southern Africa no longer allow open hunting in the traditional governmental hunting areas. Even if they allow limited hunting, animal numbers have dwindled substantially. In addition, the standard of game on offer there cannot compete with the quality game now available in South Africa. This means we can fully satisfy the world-wide demand for a quality hunting experience right here in in our country.
South Africa is therefore exceptionally well-positioned when it comes to breeding sable. My statistics show clearly that the existence of quality sable in countries such as Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana has dropped drastically.
Best quality sable are in South Africa
Looking at this graph, one can clearly see the best horn-genetics definitely came from Zambia in the past.
In the past Zambia could boast with more than 60 of the top 100 entries in both the Roland Ward and Safari Club International (SCI) record books. Zimbabwe came second, then Botswana, with South Africa fourth.
On the one hand it’s disheartening to see that during the last 30 years only three entries of sable antelope with horn lengths of more than 50″ appear as records. Positively though, this means we can deduct that the quick advances we are making in South Africa with breeding sable means a bright future awaits breeders.
If we were to hunt the top sable antelope in South Africa today, I believe the entries would have been very high up in record books. But as we are presently in a quality sable breeding phase in South Africa, exceptional sable with record potential will not be hunted for many years to come. Breeding prices are simply too high for hunters. This explains why our best horn lengths cannot be entered into hunting record books at this time.
My information about local trends indicate that South Africa already produces some of the very best quality sable in Africa. This is another indication of a positive, growing market for breeding sable.
Exporting sable
When it comes to breeding sable for export, I believe we are entering a boom phase. The Namibian border is open for sable exports. I know of many farmers there who are eager to commence with breeding scarce game. Sable is on everyone’s list.
Just as in South Africa, Namibian scarce game farmers will need to buy quality breeding sable to get going. For the foreseeable future, most of these animals will come from South Africa.
Sable antelope are exceptionally suited to farming conditions in Namibia. These hardy animals don’t fall ill often. Under professional breeding management conditions sable antelope also don’t die easily. Sable are adaptable and one can breed them under most conditions. (As a rule, most breeders provide additional feed during winter, while some do this throughout the year.)
Profit drivers of breeding sable
- Female sable antelope are ready for breeding early in life, with many calving at 24 months. This indicates a quick return on investment.
- Young females reach older females’ market prices at 18 months. In most instances they would have been covered by then.
- In a professional, intensive breeding environment females do not have specific calving periods, but calve during the year. This means one or two additional calves during a female’s life span.
- Male sable antelope reach horn lengths of sufficient measurement for hunting at a young age. This means bulls not used for breeding can be offered to the hunting market at good prices. Such animals are currently hunted for between R1 100.00 and R1 200.00 per inch.
- In general, sable do not require high levels of attention. Casualty levels amongst calves are low.
Summary: The main reasons for breeding sable
- Stunningly beautiful, scarce game with exceptional price growth.
- Positioned for both the breeding and hunting markets.
- South Africa is becoming a world leader in the breeding and hunting of sable.
- Local horn length quality is improving all the time.
- Export opportunities indicate growth potential.
- Overseas hunters will prefer South Africa for the hunting of sable.
- The profit potential of breeding sable results in sustainable cash flow.
Well done
Baie dankie!
Baie informatief! Waar kan n mens ordentlike raad kry oor om te begin met breeding van die spesie en ook ander skaars wild? Baie dankie vir enige raad!
Hallo Dirk
Baie dankie. Stuur gerus e-pos direk aan my by: [email protected]
Vriendelike groete
Dries
Middag Mnr Visser
Ek is die resevaat bestuurder op Matswani game farm naby Hermanusdorings. Ons is ook tans besig met n Sable teel program en is op soek na n Zambezi teel bule of n Matstetsi teel bul, sal ook dankbaar wees as ek dalk met u kan kommunikeer en advise vra in sekere opsigte.
Groete Johan Rabie
Hallo Dries, ek soek meer inligting omtrent die teling van Sable. Is n 1000ha groot genoeg?
Die plaas is gelee in Bandelierkop area, Limpopo. Is dit geskik vir Sable en Buffels en dalk nog ander wild. En is die wildsheining die normale 2.4m hoogte?
Groete
Watter ouderdom sit jy bul by koeie. Wanneer n bul koeie dek , beinvloed dit sy groei of nie