Farmers’ Kraal with Otniel Hembapu – Securing a good market for your animals

Farmers’ Kraal with Otniel Hembapu – Securing a good market for your animals

As we embark upon the journey of planning, realigning and reinventing our ways of farming in this new and promising year, it is important to remind farmers not to ignore the importance of securing a suitable, reliable and profitable market for their animals. 

When all is said and done and all the hard work has been invested, the ultimate goal of any farmer is to be able to sell off his or her livestock in record time to a suitable and lucrative market, without being at the mercy of the middlemen.

When it comes to securing a suitable market for your animals, any farmer needs to determine and know exactly what they want, how and when they want it. 

No farmer wants to be at the mercy of the buyer, because it is the pride and joy of any successful farmer to have his products or animals sold out immediately based on their qualities and attractiveness.

But securing a profitable market also comes with its demands and set of standards. Therefore, farmers need to invest their time, knowledge and finances in producing good quality and healthy livestock for the market. 

It is also important that farmers know their target market, and be consistent in producing quality animals for that market. 

Farming is a great and highly-profitable business when done correctly, as history has proven that nothing woos a prospective buyer more than a healthy, good-looking animal.

Before searching for a suitable market for your animals, you must decide who are your target markets, do you intend to sell to the middlemen, or directly to the abattoir, or perhaps only during cultural festivals and ceremonies.? 

For example, sick-looking and underweight sheep are completely rejected during most African cultural festivals and ceremonies, and the same can also be said for Christians who mostly prefer good-looking healthy turkey and broiler birds during Christmas celebrations. 

Poor-looking and underweight birds are easily rejected during Christmas festivities, and that again places the onus on you the farmer to ensure that you produce and market healthy and quality animals.

Remember, it takes great effort and a lot of sacrifices to build, groom and have loyal customers over some time, and once your buyers have full confidence in your farm produce, that is the only time you can confidently say you are in business.

Nothing frustrates a buyer more than buying from an inconsistent farmer who always has one or the other excuse for not meeting the expectations of his market.  

Once you discover what your buyers want, stick to it and continue to improve in all areas of your operations, as that will improve your sales and overall profitability over time.

Until then…