The South African Savanna Origin
The Savanna goat’s origin began in the Savanna Veld of South Africa in 1957. Lubbe Cilliers (DSU farm) took his first stud buck and selected for all-white goats from the indigenous bush goats. He wanted Hardiness, survivability, and adaptability as his primary traits. By 1993, the Savanna had distinguished itself as its own breed and the Savanna Goat Breeders Society (Association) was formed and developed breed standards in South Africa.
Importation to the United States
In 1994 Jürgen Schulz (JCS farm) imported the first and only live Savannas into the United States. These savannas came in with the famous CODI/PCI Boer goat flight. Mr. Schulz kept and bred Savannas for several years, thus becoming the first Savanna breeder in the United States. In 1998, these 32 Savannas were to sold to the public at his Kifaru dispersion sale. Each goat sold was given a certificate and pedigree of its breeding. These first buyers became the breeders of a new industry. In 2000, these breeders commissioned Pedigree International to track and maintain a herd book of these rare goats. In 2006, Mr. Kenneth Mincey commissioned frozen embryos to move from South Africa to Australia for implantation into recipient goats. The 21 Savanna goats would eventually be imported to his Georgia farm (MGF) in 2010. The Mincey’s performed embryo transplant programs to grow these numbers before being released to the public. These are the only four sources of Savannas in North America. Any new genetic material from South Africa is currently banned under international law.
Savanna features
- Exceptional Mothering skills
- Parasite tolerance
- Aggressive Foragers
- Very Aggressive Breeders
- Vigorous, fast-growing kids
- Less Producer input
- Strong legs and hoofs
- Higher weaning weights
- Excellent for creating percentage goat with added muscle
- Improved muscle carcass yields
Waller Southern Farms was fortunate enough to win DMS RDB Lakelyn! The raffle doe generously donated by Double B Goat Farm at the SAVANNA SHOWSTOPPER, where we purchased a new buck and 3 other does to add to our herd and strengthen our genetics!