HOW WE STARTED

 
In 1988 Dreyer van Zyl made a switch from crops and Brahman stud farming, to breeding scarce antelope species.
He started with Addo buffalo on his farm just outside Hartenbos in the Southern Cape and soon ventured into Roan and Sable Antelope on land that he bought near Kimberley in the Northern Cape specifically for this purpose.
 
Through decades of careful selection, he has built up herds of exceptional quality.  His sable cows, in particular, are regarded by many in the industry to be amongst the finest available in the country.
80% of sable cows 5 years and older, currently in the herd, have horns measuring thirty inches or more in length.  (See gallery, examples of  >30" cows).  In fact, of the sable females 5 year and older, the shortest set of horns measures 28.5".
 
A sable cow (7-5) that Dreyer sold on the Xtreme auction of 2012, currently holds the record price (R700 000) for a non-Zambian sable cow (sold with 3 month old calf).
 
All three of Dreyer, and his wife, Annette's, children are actively involved on a part-time basis in his farming business. 
His daughter Anndri and her husband, Greg Garrett, are both veterinarians, which facilitates regular darting for the purpose of accurate measurement and recording on a regular basis as well as health considerations.
 
David Mphafudi, an old school stockman, who grew up with Dreyer, and who used to be his cattle foreman, has been keeping daily record of all new calves born etc. for the past 22 years.  In his words, the animals never cease to teach one if only you are willing to learn.
His son, Klaas Mpafudi, is following in his father's footsteps, and is already proving to be a great asset as a manager on the farm.