Farming is and has always been a family endeavour. In our home country, Botswana, livestock farming has for generations been a major part of many families. Our story as a nation bares a lineage of proud farmers who have contributed to the success of our free-range beef being ranked among the best in the world. This however, has not shifted many of our livestock producers from subsistence to commercial farming status – a result of poor management!
Our family farm (holding) is nestled in a communal pastureland called Maminalegwete, in the vicinity of a small village named Tewane in the Central District of Botswana. We started with the few animals we were gifted by our parents (longtime farmers) on our wedding day back in 2015, and we never looked back. In 2023 we registered LK BEEF RANCHERS (Pty) Ltd, which focused mainly on livestock (cattle and goats) production for meat.
Our goal was to sell to the international market through the Botswana Meat Commission (BMC), but our first trial was a dismal failure. Our records, or lack thereof, were our biggest downfall in the European Union (EU) market compliance assessment carried out by Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) for BMC. In an effort to ensure compliance in our next assessment we formulated a bare minimum record keeping template in a hardcover book to address all recommendations made by the assessors. We have never failed since, and in due course our Co-Founder Laura Thato Bafaletse developed a comprehensive yet simple to use “Botswana Beef Cattle Record Book”, which led to the development of the “Botswana Small Stock Record Book”. These will continue to be advanced to meet the needs of all livestock farmers, including in future dairy, pig, chicken, rabbit farmers, the list goes on. The reception of these books by stakeholders prompted the introduction of supporting solutions to challenges faced by farmers especially in record keeping. These solutions are now housed under iHerd (Pty) Ltd which came into being on the 27th August 2024. We offer “smart livestock production” solutions in the form of an app that can be used hand in hand with the record books; as well as training and consultation for farmers.
Our guiding principles stem from Botswana’s Vision 2036 pillars: Sustainable Economic Development; and Human and social Development. We seek to transform the agricultural space by empowering and developing the skills of farmers in agribusiness, by cultivating in them a culture of excellence and equipping them with necessary tools and techniques to thrive in the modern agricultural environment
Vision
To contribute towards sustainable livestock production and food security through our commitment to inclusion and development of all farmers.
Mission
Dedication to continuously providing farmers with comprehensive yet user-friendly management solutions, offering great experiences, exceptional customer service and importantly nurturing agricultural managerial skills.
Investment in the training and development of farmers to promote traceability, profitability and quality assurance at farm level.
Values
- Integrity
- Collaboration
- Engagement
- Customer Service
