First Konsortium-Merino advisor for clientsCreated on: 1 September 2007 On 1 September 2007, Konsortium-Merino appointed their first Merino advisor to assist farmers to improve their flocks to comply with Konsortium brand standards. More than 40 farmers, with approximately 80 000 ewes, have already joined the Konsortium team. Konsortium-Merino is the first Merino stud to appoint its own sheep and wool expert to add value to the farming enterprise of their clients. The aim of Cobus Vivier, formerly from BKB and now client advisor for Konsortium-Merino, is to insure quality standards so that buyers can confidently purchase Konsortium genetics, -wool and -meat. For an annual fee of just R3 per ewe, the Konsortium Company provides a safety net for its farmers. This includes: - top Merino genetics;
- a 10% discount on any Konsortium-Merino rams bought;
- Konsortium expertise, which will have a positive impact on finances;
- advice regarding ewe and ram selection and the management of the flock;
- monitoring progress by means of a simple computer programme which measures the performance of the flock so that farmers can assess their improvement;
- a reputable, quality brand;
- the marketing of approved ewes, wool and meat under the Konsortium-Merino brand.
All wool farmers are welcome to make use of the Konsortium advisory service. The contract is completely voluntary and is renewed annually. The fee is payable quarterly or it can be settled once a year in advance. The fees also make provision for once-off consultations and services for example, evaluation of the flock, or assistance with the purchasing of ewes and rams from other stud breeders. The Konsortium family exudes enthusiasm, commitment and integrity. They are a team with vision. Their focus is on improving the Konsortium-Merino type and promoting their brand to insure growth and prosperity. Their dual purpose sheep has a good meat carcass and long wool of quality. They are fertile and adapt well throughout the country. Six years ago there were just four Konsortium-Merino breeders, selling 78 rams on their first auction. Today they sell close to 500 rams annually on five official auctions. Every year they have two production sales on Dombietersfontein, a combined sale with Marlow Agricultural School and the two annual Triton Poll Merino sales established in Bloemfontein and Caledon. Each signed up farmer is now part of the bigger Konsortium picture – an integral part of the Konsortium puzzle. How apt the Konsortium slogan: “together we offer more…” |
