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LRF Stockman School 2026 set to deliver industry’s most comprehensive learning event
South Africa’s red meat producers have a date to lock into their calendars: 7 to 9 October 2026, when the Livestock Registering Federation (LRF)’s Stockman School returns to Aldam in the Free State for what promises to be the most content-rich edition yet.
Under the theme “Unlocking the beef value chain”, this year’s three-day programme is designed to guide producers through every link in the chain, from understanding today’s consumer, to harnessing genetics, managing disease, navigating markets, and positioning operations for a climate-smart future.
A programme grounded in commercial reality
The LRF has assembled a powerful programme for October 2026: more than 20 presentations across nine sessions, four practical breakaway workshops, and leading speakers from the southern hemisphere’s beef industry.
Day one opens with a big-picture industry perspective. Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at Agbiz, will deliver the keynote outlook, setting the economic and policy context.
The afternoon session shifts to animal health. Dr Danie Odendaal of Veterinarian Network will address practical herd biosecurity and disease outbreak prevention. In the context of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) discussions, Prof Armanda Bastos of the University of Pretoria will present new research with potential implications for trade and market access in southern Africa. Dr Troy Rowan of the University of Tennessee in the United States, also joins delegates for the afternoon session with a focus on the beef value chain of the future.
Day two explores genetics and nutrition in depth. Dr Helet Lambrechts of Stellenbosch University will present on foetal programming – the increasingly compelling science demonstrating how a cow’s nutrition before and during pregnancy shapes her calf’s lifetime performance.
Genetics discussions continue with BREEDPLAN specialist Catriona Millen from the Agricultural Business Research Institute (ABRI), and Charné Claassen from Unistel, who will trace the journey from DNA-based selection all the way to the dinner plate.
The afternoon shifts to practical application. Delegates can choose two from four breakaway sessions covering regenerative agriculture, hands-on animal health management, the Red Meat Industry Services traceability platform, and climate-smart beef production with an environmental, social, and governance focus. These sessions are designed for immediate farm application – not just theoretical understanding.
Day three turns to markets and commercial strategy. Sessions on producer marketing, biosecurity requirements for market access, and bull-buying behaviour round out the programme, with Kobus Bester of the Simbra Cattle Breeders Society of Southern Africa presenting a highly relevant session on surviving market storms and adapting commercial strategy.
Why Aldam?
The Aldam venue has become something of a fixture in the LRF Stockman School tradition, offering a self-contained, distraction-free environment where producers can truly immerse themselves in the learning experience and build relationships with the industry.
The event includes all meals – from an early breakfast on day one to the Wednesday evening’s steak dinner, sponsored by Sparta, and the gala prize-giving dinner on Thursday, where the industry gathers in a semi-formal setting.
The early-bird opportunity
Registration is now open, and the LRF is offering significant early-bird savings for delegates who secure their place before 31 July 2026.
Individual delegate (three-day programme): R7350 (standard: R7850)
Given the breadth of the programme and the calibre of speakers, these rates represent exceptional value for professional development in the red meat sector. For stud breeders, commercial producers, veterinarians, agronomists, and agribusiness professionals, the three-day attendance option unlocks the full experience – including the valuable networking that happens between sessions and around the dinner table.
Who should attend?
The LRF Stockman School is designed for anyone invested in South African beef production. Commercial producers will gain immediate, practical insights into nutrition, health, genetics and marketing, while stud breeders can benefit from both the genetics sessions and direct engagement with commercial customers facilitated by the programme.
Veterinarians and animal health professionals will find the FMD, biosecurity and applied health sessions directly relevant. Feedlot operators and abattoir-linked businesses will benefit from the value chain and market-focussed discussions. For young producers and agricultural students, the Stockman School offers an exceptional opportunity to compress years of learning into just three days.
The school will also be SACNASP-registered, earning you those continuous professional development (CDP) points that will help you stay compliant.
Securing your place
To register or enquire about group bookings, contact Charmaine Alberts at 082 922 3747 or email charmainealberts8@gmail.com, alternatively visit the LRF website, https://www.lrf.co.za/stockman-school/.
Early bird registrations close 31 July 2026, after which standard rates apply.
The LRF Stockman School 2026 is supported by leading industry sponsors including Santam, Molatek, Unistel Agri, Zoetis, Vytelle, Vleissentraal, Livestrack SA, Absa, Plaas Media, Sparta Beef, FarmRanger, Brahman SA, and Simmentaler SA.
