About Us
Our History
Red Dane Agri Solutions was created by the family behind Red Dane Farming, the leaders in milk production and dairy animal genetics in Zimbabwe and the primary milk suppliers to Kefalos Cheese (also founded by the Kirk family).
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The original Red Dane Farming dairy herd was about 100 Friesland-type cows. Wolle Kirk, the founder of Red Dane Farming, found these cattle to be ill-suited to the local environment and thus started cross-breeding to find a better-suited animal. As he originated from Denmark, he started with the Red Danish dairy breed. This is a medium-sized, red, smooth-skinned dairy animal. Surprisingly these animals were very tolerant to the Zimbabwean environment and their black hooves could handle the muddy conditions during the rainy season. Their dark pigment meant eye problems and skin cancers were eradicated.
Wolle and Birthe Kirk
Holstein dairy cows
Red Dane dairy cows
Wolle and Birthe Kirk
Our Progress
Over the next thirty years, as management passed onto the next generation, the Red Dane intensive TMR herd was increased to nearly 1,000 milking cows. Through careful selection of genetics, advances in calf rearing (including introduction of the MARS pen), and a focus on nutrition (including the founding of Icefeed), the intensive dairy herd has become one of the highest-performing in Zimbabwe. Herd average milk yield is over 8000 litres per 305-day lactation, with high protein yields and exceptional health traits. The state-of-the-art dairy, completed in July 2013 and the construction of carefully designed free-stall and compost barns have complemented the excellent management on the farm to further improve efficiencies.​
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Alongside the development of the TMR dairy, RDF also developed the Bush Dairy trailers and management systems, and bred the ideal cow for extensive milk production – the T-ReX – a cross between a Red Dane and Tuli. This cow can survive in the savanna and produce 12 to 15 litres of milk per day for a 250-day lactation, under the correct Bush Dairy management system.​
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The birth of Red Dane Agri Solutions
Fueled by a desire to share our innovations and success with other livestock farmers in Zimbabwe, Red Dane Agri Solutions was started by the Kirks in 2018. The initial purpose of RDAS was to share and sell our own innovations - the M.A.R.S pens and Bush Dairy systems, and some of the complementary products used in tandem with these.
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However, we soon discovered that there was a need in Zimbabwe and surrounding countries to learn about and gain access to the high quality equipment and consumables that we manufacture and purchase locally and from around the world. Our product range began to grow and we opened our first Agricentre in Harare.
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Icefeed
Icefeed was founded in 2005, initially to supply only Red Dane FArming and small dairy farmers in the community who could not afford commercially finished feeds. By 2010, Icefeed moved into its first factory and expanded its product mix to include beef, sheep and horses. ​
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By 2021, Icefeed production had grown to 800 tonnes per month, with a further-expanded product range, and a new, custom-built factory under construction in Harare South.
Ajs and Nathalie Kirk
The new Wolle Kirk herringbone dairy
The new state of the art free stall barn.
Ajs and Nathalie Kirk
Our first Agricentre in Harare
One of our extensive bush dairies using hand milking
Bringing world-class feed mixing equipment to Zimbabwe and Southern Africa
Our first Agricentre in Harare
Supplying livestock farmers with their finished feeds since 2005
Icefeed developed blocks essential for providing animals with nutrients lacking in their other feeds or pasture
One of our first Icefeed retail outlet signs
Supplying livestock farmers with their finished feeds since 2005
Our Present and Your Future
Red Dane Agri Solutions now has three Agricentres in Harare and a distributor in Bulawayo. We supply equipment, feed and consumables for all livestock categories, as well as providing consulting services to dairy farmers, both existing and aspiring. Our close relationship with Red Dane Farming means we can continue to test our products on-farm and draw on the expertise of the farm management team.
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We can assist you with anything livestock related, from dairy cleaning chemicals and cattle handling, all the way to artificial insemination, calf rearing and Bush Dairy systems. We can also provide advice and products for pasture management and maize silage cutting services.
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Icefeed now has its own state-of-the-art factory in Harare South, producing 1,000 t per month and with the capacity to produce 2,000. As well as finished ruminant feeds, we now also offer a full range of pre-mixes for all animals, including mono-gastrics.
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We have built strong management and sales teams at both Red Dane Agri Solutions and Icefeed, who are trained to offer expert product support.
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We look forward to seeing you in our Agricentres and growing the Zimbabwean agricultural industry together.​
Our newest Agricentre at ART Farm in Harare
Our Head Office and Agricentre in Mt Hampden, Harare
Ajs serving a customer at ART farm
Our newest Agricentre at ART Farm in Harare
Icefeed stock ready for delivery
Our new Icefeed factory
Dairy cows can't get enough of their Icefeed in the parlour!
Icefeed stock ready for delivery