Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Plaas Media announces fourth Veeplaas Climate-Smart Ambassador winner
This year saw Plaas Media presenting the fourth instalment of its Veeplaas Climate-Smart Ambassador project which once again proved a great success. The project is aimed at giving recognition to livestock producers who apply climate-smart farming practices on their farms. The former winners of the project are James Faber (2022), Piet Roux (2023), and Charl Saunderson (2024). These farmers are not only climate-smart, but also willing to share their unique knowledge with other livestock producers.
Lees meer oor die 2024-wenner hier.
No project undertaking is possible without the support of loyal and dedicated sponsors, and our collaboration with well-known grazing specialist and consultant, Dr Louis du Pisani. This yearâs sponsors, Nedbank and Zoetis, have been involved in the project since the start and deserve a round of applause for their dedication to climate-smart farming in South Africa, and their support of the producers who apply these practices.
The 2025 judging process
As in previous years, the participants had to complete a questionnaire on www.agriorbit.com which considers their farming practices from six angles. The participantsâ answers were scored on a scale of one to ten, after which the answers as well as the points allocation were considered, and the finalists were chosen.
Dr du Pisani then visited the farms of each of the finalists, Stephan Becker in the Upington area and Willie Storm from Olifantshoek. He was accompanied by Plaas Media representative, Koos du Pisanie, during these visits, the purpose of which is to closely inspect the finalistsâ climate-smart farming practices and to verify their initial answers on the questionnaire. Where necessary, marks were adjusted up- or downwards, and a final mark out of 100 was then allocated to each participant.
The 2025 Veeplaas Climate-smart Ambassador
Plaas Media is proud to announce that the 2025 Veeplaas Climate-Smart Ambassador is Willie Storm. Willie farms with commercial beef cattle and is well-known for his passion for veld management, controlling bush encroachment, and his dedication to employ climate-smart practices on his farm.
Willie is no stranger to the competition and participated in the competition in 2022 where he was a finalist. He has since also been involved in the farmerâs days every year as a speaker and a guest.
Lees meer hier oor Willie Storm se boerderypraktyke.
Watch the announcement of this yearâs ambassador and hear what Dr Louis du Pisani had to say about Willie and our worthy young runner-up, Stephan Becker:
2025 Veeplaas Climate-Smart Farmerâs Day
The goal of this project is to assist and educate other livestock producers or agricultural role-players who want to improve their farming practices, to mitigate and manage climate challenges. The project therefore culminates in a farmerâs day hosted on the ambassadorâs farm each year. The previous three farmerâs day proved to be very popular with more than 100 people attending each of the days, even if the locations were almost off the grid!
During the 2025 farmerâs day, Storm will talk attendees through his climate-smart management practices and we will spend as much time as possible in his veld, where attendees will be able to physically see what he has done over the years to improve and restore the soil and veld on his farm.
Keep an eye on the press and the Veeplaas Tydskrif Facebook page for an official announcement regarding this yearâs farmerâs day.
Farmerâs day sponsorship opportunities
While the project has two main sponsors who make this competition possible, some smaller on-the-day sponsorships are available for interested companies, subject to terms and conditions. –DeidrĂ© Louw, Plaas Media
For more information on how you can get involved or to attend the farmer’s day, contact DeidrĂ© Louw on 066 231 2430 or send an email to deidre@plaasmedia.co.za
