Introduction
Nestled on the outskirts of Port Elizabeth, in the heart of South Africa’s largest milk-producing region, lies Draaifontein Farm, home to the country’s benchmark Calf Rearing Unit and the second critical step in our fully integrated Wagyu value chain. Our reputation here is built on precision, science, care and innovation.
During a visit to Australia, we had the privilege of hearing Mr. Shogo Takeda, one of Japan’s most respected Wagyu breeders, speak on meat quality. Here it became clear: the success of Wagyu beef quality begins in the first six months of a calf’s life. Epigenetics proved that marbling tracks are established and developed early in an animals live, and the potential to achieve world-class carcass results, we realised we needed to meticulously manage his critical stage of development.
Established in 2019, this 96-hectare, state-of-the-art facility was designed with one clear vision: to sustainably raise healthy, high-performing calves that form the foundation of our premium Wagyu beef brand.
Where It All Begins
Every calf’s journey begins with a commitment to quality and traceability. From day one, a tissue sample is collected for DNA sire verification and linked to an RFID tag. This creates a digital identity for each animal, managed through the Stock book Cattle Management System and registered with Certified Wagyu Beef (CWB) ensuring full transparency and accountability from birth to carcass.
How It Works
Each calf is raised over a 12-month cycle with precision and care. They receive three milk meals daily, spaced every eight hours, along with fresh water and a nutritionally balanced feed designed to support marbling development. This science-based approach, grounded in epigenetics, helps “pre-programme” the calves for optimal meat quality.
Throughout the rearing process, our skilled team closely monitors each animal’s health, comfort, and growth, ensuring consistent development and a strong foundation for premium Wagyu beef.
What Makes It Unique
Our farm isn’t just a rearing facility — it’s a finely tuned ecosystem designed for efficiency and animal welfare. The unit features:
- A 1,300 m² adaption shed with 350 individual calf hutches where every new arrival receives the utmost care.
- A 2000-litre heated milk mixing system for precision feeding
- Heated and ventilated housing, ensuring optimal comfort
- Rotational Kikuyu grass grazing camps and irrigated pastures spanning over 80 hectares.
- A custom-developed feed ration, created in collaboration with South Africa’s leading feed scientists after more than a decade of research
The result? Consistent growth, exceptional health, and a stress-free environment for every calf under our care.
The Heart of the Operation
At Draaifontein, innovation meets dedication. Through years of trials and refinement, we’ve developed unique intellectual property in feed formulation, rearing methods, and farm management systems. Our partnerships with leading dairy farmers across South Africa ensure a steady supply of top-quality calves, while our rearing practices set the national benchmark for welfare and performance.
Each animal raised here contributes to a story of excellence — a story that starts with care and ends with the world’s finest Wagyu beef.
