Agri Skills Transfer proudly announces a groundbreaking milestone in agricultural education with the official launch of South Africa’s first-ever operational feedlot on a practical training farm, opening today, Friday, 3 October 2025.

This state-of-the-art feedlot, with the capacity to house 300 sheep, stands as a testament to innovation, dedication, and skills development. Built entirely by our staff and students, the facility not only represents infrastructure excellence but also embodies the spirit of hands-on learning, commitment, and teamwork.

“We burned the midnight oil to get this done — and it shows,” said Shaun Welmans, COO and Director at Agri Skills Transfer.

“This feedlot is more than just a facility; it’s a symbol of what can be achieved when education meets real-world application.”

In its initial phase, the feedlot is designed to house 300 sheep. We will begin with 100 sheep in a full production cycle to gain valuable experience and refine our processes. Once confident in our operation, we will expand to the full 300-head capacity, running continuous production cycles.

From there, the feedlot will grow to 600 sheep, and ultimately, once the system is perfected, we plan to establish a full-scale commercial unit capable of producing 300–600 sheep per week.

We are starting the first round of our feedlot operation by placing 100 commercial store lambs, including some of our own livestock that have been bred through Agri Skills Transfer. This includes both sheep and cattle. The purpose of this feedlot is to raise and finish the animals under controlled conditions to ensure optimal growth, health, and market readiness. By combining commercial animals with our own, we aim to compare performance, improve our breeding programs, and ensure consistent supply to the market.

Why it matters: Training that transforms

The sheep feedlot is designed to be a cornerstone of our agricultural training programmes, offering learners direct, practical exposure to:

• Feedlot management practices

• Animal nutrition and health

• Record keeping and farm planning

• Sustainable livestock production

With space for 300 sheep, the facility provides unmatched real-world experience for our students — a vital step in preparing South Africa’s future farmers, entrepreneurs, and agri-professionals.

Looking ahead: Open Day – Saturday, 4 October 2025

The opening of the feedlot is perfectly timed for our MEGA Open Day on Saturday, 4 October 2025, where visitors, partners, and future learners can tour the facility and see agricultural training with a difference — training that delivers real, measurable outcomes.

“This is a first for the country, and it won’t be the last,” added Shaun. “It’s another proud highlight in Agri Skills Transfer’s 2025 journey of innovation and impact.”

About Agri Skills Transfer

Agri Skills Transfer is the leading provider of agricultural education in South Africa, offering accredited and practical training across various disciplines. We believe in training with a difference — where learners don’t just study agriculture, they live it.

For more information contact:
Shaun Welmans
📧 shaun@agriskills.net
🌐 www.agriksills.net