Dear Prospective Virtual Farmer,
We are excited to present the comprehensive cost structure and benefits of raising lambs through FarmShare™, managed by IntelliFarm™ and LANDRANI® LAMB. The objective of FarmShare™ is not to produce cheap lamb. It’s about providing a custom, hormone-free, young slaughtered lamb. Typically, free-range lambs are slaughtered at a much older age, which often results in a loss of tenderness. Custom boutique lamb, produced and raised the FarmShare™ way, emphasizes quality over price.
Ewes can be purchased through the LANDRANI® Meatmasters Mobile App or viewed live by booking a stay at LANDRANI® FarmStay. Our minimum stay requirement is 2-nights to facilitate these viewings. As we are a fully operational production farm, it is impossible for us to facilitate “viewings” by day visitors. Ewes are priced at market-related prices, using average auction prices of similar ewes sold at production auctions.
We will commence by marketing our Section A Studbook registered Ewes. These ewes were not born in the stud; they were purchased and approved for inclusion in the stud by an external adjudicator from the Meatmaster Association of South Africa. These ewes cannot be transferred to a separate stud unless re-adjudicated and approved for this purpose. However, they are the most affordable option to start your virtual farm.
Virtual farmers will benefit from our best stud rams, and all offspring will be registered as Section B. These offspring can be transferred to an external stud after being adjudicated at 10 months of age, as per Association rules. This process ensures that you start with high-quality ewes and have the potential to develop a top-notch virtual farm with FarmShare™.
- External Grazing Costs:
- Annual Cost: R550
- Days per Year: 365
- Daily Cost: R550 / 365 = R1.51 per day
- Adjusted Days per 9-month cycle
- (excluding 30 days intensive): 270 – 30 = 240
- Number of 9-month cycles per year: 365 / 270 = 1.35
- Adjusted External Grazing Cost per Year: 240 days * R1.51 per day * 1.35 = R488.04
- Intensive Feeding Costs:
- Cost per Day: R9
- Intensive Days per 9-month cycle: 30
- Total Intensive Feeding Costs per 9-month cycle: 30 days * R9 per day = R270
- Number of 9-month cycles per year: 1.35
- Total Intensive Feeding Costs per Year: R270 * 1.35 = R364.50
- Total Annual Grazing and Feeding Costs:
- Adjusted External Grazing Cost: R488.04
- Total Intensive Grazing Costs: R364.50
- Total: R488.04 + R364.50 = R852.54
NB. Please note that inputs, costs, or strategies, may vary or increase in times of drought or should there be a regional, national or global increase in the cost of animal medicines & feeds, transport or related items affecting agriculture.
- MultiVax P Plus: R13.10 per dose (given once every 9 months)
- Complex A & E: R3.60 per dose (given once every 9 months)
- Annual Vaccination Costs:
- MultiVax P Plus: R13.10 * 1.35 = R17.69
- Complex A & E: R3.60 * 1.35 = R4.86
- Total Annual Vaccination Costs per Ewe: R17.69 + R4.86 = R22.55
- Initial Mating: R150 per cycle
- Re-mating Provision (25% of Initial Mating): R37.50 per cycle
- Total per cycle: R150 + R37.50 = R187.50
- Annual Mating Cost: R187.50 * 1.35 = R253.13
- Transport per cycle: R110
- Annual Transport Cost: R110 * 1.35 = R148.50
- External Grazing Labour:
- Daily Cost: R0.80 per day
- Adjusted Days per 9-month cycle (excluding 30 days intensive): 240
- Number of 9-month cycles per year: 1.35
- Total Annual External Labor Cost: 240 days * R0.80 per day * 1.35 = R259.20
- Intensive Feeding Labour: R120 per annum
- Total Annual Labour Costs: R259.20 + R120 = R379.20
R852.54 (Grazing and Feeding) + R22.55 (Vaccination and Dosing) + R253.13 (Mating) + R148.50 (Transport) + R379.20 (Labor) = R1655.92
1.2 lambs per cycle × 1.35 cycles per year = 1.62 lambs per year
R1655.92 / 1.62 = R1022.17
- Weight Gain Required: 22.5 kg
- Average Daily Gain: 0.32 kg
- Days to Finish: 22.5 kg / 0.32 kg/day = 70 days
- Feed Conversion Rate: 5.2 kg feed per kg weight gain
- Total Feed Required: 22.5 kg × 5.2 = 117 kg of feed
- Feed Cost per kg: R6500 / 1000 = R6.50
- Total Feed Cost: 117 kg × R6.50 = R760.50
- Transport: R70
- Processing: R60
- Daily Kraal Fees: R2
- Total Kraal Fees: 70 days × R2/day = R140
- Manure Removal: R50
- MultiVax P Plus: R19.65 per 1.5 dose
- Deca Sure: R6 per dose
- Prodose Orange: R2.50 per dose
- Total Vaccination and Dosing Costs per Lamb: R28.15
R760.50 (Feed) + R28.15 (Vaccination and Dosing) + R320 (Feedlot) = R1108.65
Note: Lamb fattening and feedlot costs will be charged on actual cost once lambs are weaned and enter the feedlot. Slaughtering and packaging costs are due and payable as lambs become market ready.
R1022.17 (Annual Cost per Lamb) + R1108.65 (Additional Costs to Fatten a Lamb) = R2130.82
- Slaughtering and Transport Costs: R80 per half lamb
- Packaging Costs: R180 per half lamb
- Labour: R90 per half lamb
- Cold Chain Costs: R90 per half lamb
- Total for One Half Lamb: R440
- Total for Full Lamb: R440 x 2 = R880
Delivery Cost: R150
R880 (Maturing, Cutting, Packaging) + R150 (Delivery) = R1030
R2130.82 (Total Cost per Lamb) + R1030 (Maturing, Cutting, Packaging, and Delivery) = R3160.82
VAT: 0.15 × R3160.82 = R474.12
R3160.82+R474.12 = R3634.94
The ewe portion is already paid. Projected amount payable now would be R3634.94 – R1175.50 = R2459.45
Average Packed Weight: 18 kg
Your “Lifestyle Lamb” offers an unparalleled experience, combining meticulous farming practices, advanced traceability, and specialised packaging to ensure superior quality. Raised with care and precision, your lamb stands out in South Africa, offering a unique product that compares favourably with competitors, while providing much more in terms of process, lifestyle, and transparency.
Why Mayonnaise Prices Are Similar Across Stores, But Lamb Chops Differ Significantly
Mayonnaise prices at Pick n Pay, Checkers, and Woolworths are relatively consistent:
- Pick n Pay: Crosse & Blackwell Mayonnaise 750g, R48.99
- Checkers: Crosse And Blackwell Tangy Mayonnaise 750g, R49.99
- Woolworths: Crosse and Blackwell Tangy Mayonnaise 750 g, R49.99
This consistency is due to standardised production processes and ingredients that do not vary significantly in cost between retailers.
However, the price of lamb chops shows a notable difference:
- Pick n Pay: Lamb Rib Chops, R199.99/kg
- Checkers: Rib Chops Per kg – Fresh Meat & Poultry, R198.99/kg
- Woolworths: Range Lamb Rib Chops Avg 500 g, R269.99/kg
The higher price at Woolworths, and similarly for FarmShare™️ and LANDRANI®️ LAMB, reflects several premium factors:
- 100% Traceability: Ensures consumers know exactly where their meat comes from.
- Free from Added Antibiotics, Hormones, and Growth Stimulants: Healthier and more natural meat.
- Quality Packaging: Advanced packaging technology like cryovac and 2nd skin enhances freshness for up to six months.
These attributes add substantial costs to the production process. Consumers who value health, traceability, and quality will find these benefits worth the additional expense. Those unaware of these benefits may not appreciate the higher cost, but informed consumers understand the value and peace of mind these practices offer.
- Ethical, Sustainable, and Transparent Production:
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- All lambs are born and raised in 5-star facilities at LANDRANI®, ensuring ethical treatment and sustainability.
- Automated feeding systems ensure optimal production and exceptional growth for the lambs.
- Our lambs consume 25% more feed voluntarily, resulting in earlier market readiness and better tenderness and taste.
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- No Routine Antibiotics or Added Hormones:
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- Adheres strictly to a no-antibiotics and no-added-hormones policy unless necessary for the animal’s health.
- Ensures consumers can trust the purity and quality of their meat.
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- Superior Packaging:
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- Uses CRYOVAC® and 2nd Skin Packaging Technology, maintaining freshness up to 6 months in the freezer.
- Utilizes self-generated energy for cold storage, ensuring uninterrupted cold chain even during load shedding.
- Continuous monitoring with blockchain-secured temperature data provides full transparency and security.
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- Complete Traceability:
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- Comprehensive data available to consumers, including dosages, feed, genetics, weight, and offspring.
- Blockchain technology ensures all data is immutable and traceable from birth to slaughter.
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In addition to self-consumption, FarmShare™ offers several alternative options for managing your lambs:
- Sell/Refer Your Lamb to Family or Friends: You have the option to sell or refer your lamb to your family or friends via the Friends/Referral Interface of the LANDRANI® LAMB App. This allows you to share the benefits of high-quality, hormone-free lamb with those close to you. The proceeds of the sale will be for your benefit.
- Prepare Ewe Lambs for Resale: If you prefer not to slaughter an ewe lamb, you can request us to prepare her for resale at the time of weaning. Her feeding strategy will be adjusted accordingly, and you can list her for sale on the LANDRANI® Meatmasters App. Alternatively, you can choose to expand your flock by retaining her as an additional member. Additional costs will apply for this option.
- Potential Breeding Rams: All ram lambs are scored by our team, and we will notify you if a ram lamb shows potential as a breeding ram before slaughter. If you choose to have the ram join our breeding group in Loxton, his feeding strategy will be modified, and he will be regularly monitored. While there is a possibility that he may be disqualified at a later stage and subsequently slaughtered via commercial slaughtering, the proceeds from his sale will go to you. However, breeding rams can be a gamble and may result in a loss. Additional costs will apply for this option.
The total annual production cost per ewe is R1655.92 + VAT = R1904.31. Therefore, the total annual cost for 5 ewes are: 5 × R1904.31 = R9521.55
The monthly cost for 5 ewes is: R9521.55 / 12 = R793.46
In addition virtual farmers will also need to cover the following costs per lamb when the time arise:
- Finishing and Feedlot Costs: R1108.65 per lamb + VAT (R1274.94) (charged on actual cost once lambs are weaned and enter the feedlot. These costs are included in the projected cost of R201.94 per kilogram.)
- Slaughtering and Packaging Costs: R1030 per lamb + VAT (R1184.50) (due and payable as lambs become market ready. These costs are included in the projected cost of R201.94 per kilogram.)
The monthly cost for 5 ewes is R793.46, and the IntelliFarm™ management fee for 5 ewes is R460 (R400 + 15% VAT). Therefore, the total monthly amount payable for 5 ewes is: R793.46 + R460 = R1253.46
*Theft, Old Age, and Death
IntelliFarm™ will replace any ewe that proves to be infertile within the first year after the sale as part of our sales warranty.
IntelliFarm™ will be responsible for any death while the ewe is under our care, except deaths resulting from old age or acts of God. This warranty is only applicable to ewes initially purchased from LANDRANI® Meatmasters. Any subsequent replacements, growth or offspring will not be covered by this warranty.
- For ewes that reach their sell-by date, they will be replaced using the following formula: (Replacement Value minus Slaughter Value).
- The owner of the ewe will need to contribute the shortfall to replace the ewe. With selling Section A ewes, they will be of different ages.
- Any ewe not born at LANDRANI® will not have an accurate birth date.
- For each ewe sold, we guarantee at least 3 years of production, regardless of the date of birth on the system. If a ewe needs replacement within this time frame, IntelliFarm™ will contribute pro-rata to the shortfall. For example, if a replacement ewe costs R3500 and the slaughter value of the old ewe is R1700, our pro-rata contribution will cover 33% of the difference for each year before the expiry of the 3 year period.
Theft:
IntelliFarm™ will be responsible for replacing the ewe if she gets stolen while under our care. This warranty is only applicable to ewes initially purchased from LANDRANI® Meatmasters. Any subsequent replacements, growth or offspring will not be covered by this warranty.
We look forward to assisting you in your virtual farming journey and ensuring a rewarding experience.