History and overview

The Sparta Group is a leading supplier of beef and beef products in the Free State province of South Africa. It is family-owned and operated and comprises a cattle feedlot, farming concern, abattoir and meat processing plant.

Sparta makes a significant contribution to local communities, pumping more than R3 million into the economy every month. With some 1 200 people, the Group is the largest employer in the Marquard district and one of the largest in the Free State.

The operation was established by Dirk van Reenen on the farm “Sparta” in the Marquard district as a small cattle feeding facility in the late 1960s with about 30 head of cattle on feed all year round. Today Sparta has grown to be one of the larger feedlot operations in South Africa. At any given time, it has between 35 000 and 45 000 head of cattle in the feedlot and between 10 000 and 23 000 calves on the farms.

The Group business ethos is based on family values. Currently three family members are involved in the management of the business.

Fast facts

50 plus meat products
300 RDP houses built in a joint effort with Government
1 200 employees
Up to 23 000 calves on the farms
Up to 45000 cattle in the feedlot