Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
Plaas Media this year presented the fifth instalment of its Veeplaas Climate-Smart Ambassador project. This year’s project was a major success, with an exceptionally strong group of participants farming in different regions and conditions. This clearly showed that climate-smart livestock production is not limited to arid regions only. “Each of these producers brought something very special to the table – they can be very proud of themselves and the way in which they and their teams manage their farms and strive to improve all the time,” said Dr Louis du Pisani, well-known grazing specialist and consultant, and the project’s main adjudicator.
The project aims to recognise livestock producers who successfully apply climate-smart farming practices on their farms. Former ambassadors are James Faber (2022), Piet Roux (2023), Charl Saunderson (2024), and Willie Storm (2025). Besides applying climate-smart practices, these farmers are all also mentors and willing to share their unique knowledge with other livestock producers.
Two of this year’s sponsors, Nedbank and Zoetis have been involved in the project since the beginning, with UPL coming on board this year. We thank them for their support and dedication to climate-smart livestock production in South Africa.
The judging process
Participants in the project had to complete an in-depth questionnaire regarding their farming practices, covering six aspects. This related not only to their farming practices, but also their knowledge of climate change. The answers were then scored on a scale of one to ten, after which the finalists were chosen based on the scoreboard.
This was followed up by an on-farm evaluation conducted by Dr du Pisani. This year was the first time that five finalists were chosen instead of only three. Entries came from three provinces representing very different farming conditions and, to top it all, two female farmers made the top five. The road trip to the top five farms took Dr du Pisani to the Eastern Cape, where he visited finalists Janice Renton in the Amathole district and Guy Rensburg in the Komga area. After visiting finalist Dr Geofre Heyns near Bloemfontein, he headed for the Northern Cape for the final evaluation of finalists Tiaan Barkhuizen in Garies, and Veronica Rorich in the Kenhardt district.
After his visits were concluded and the scoring was adapted based on the on-farm observations, a panel consisting of agricultural economist Dr WA Lombard, Lynette Louw, CEO of Plaas Media, Deidré Louw, project and public relations manager at Plaas Media and Dr du Pisani, confirmed all the scores and, with that, the winner. This year’s competition was a very close one and the difference between the final marks were small. “In fact,” says Dr du Pisani, “in an ideal world all of this year’s finalists could be Veeplaas climate-smart ambassadors, as each of them has so much to offer by way of their incredible achievements, and under such different circumstances.”
And now … the 2026 Veeplaas Climate-Smart Ambassador
Plaas Media is proud to announce that our 2026 Veeplaas Climate-Smart Ambassador is VERONICA RORICH of N’Rougas Farm between Kenhardt and Keimoes. Veronica is a stellar example of what it takes to tackle climate issues and farm with nature. She farms with Meatmaster sheep and has an unstoppable passion for caring for the wildlife, vegetation, and soil on the farm.
Veronica has an exceptional team who supports her and knows the ins and outs of her veld and animals. “Her grazing management is truly remarkable, and I was astounded by what she was able to achieve with the help of her team and shepherds,” said Dr du Pisani.
Congratulations to Veronica – we believe that she will be an excellent ambassador for Veeplaas and its efforts to inform livestock producers of climate-related management practices. Sincere congratulations also to the other finalists – each of you deserves to be called a Veeplaas climate-smart ambassador.
2026 Veeplaas Climate-Smart Farmer’s Day
The goal of this project is to inform livestock producers who want to manage climate challenges on their farms. The project therefore culminates in a farmer’s day hosted on the ambassador’s farm. The previous four farmer’s day proved to be very popular and last year’s day saw 200 people gathering to learn about practical, hands-on climate-smart practices.
During the 2026 farmer’s day, Veronica and her team will present their climate-smart veld and animal management practices. We will spend as much time as possible in her veld to experience what she has achieved under difficult circumstances.
Keep an eye on the Veeplaas Tydskrif Facebook page for an official announcement regarding the date of year’s farmer’s day. Also read more about Veronica’s farming enterprise in the September issues of Veeplaas and Stockfarm.
Farmer’s day sponsorship opportunities
While the project has three main sponsors who make this competition possible, some smaller on-the-day sponsorships are available for interested companies, subject to terms and conditions. – Press release, Plaas Media
For more information, contact Deidré Louw on 066 231 2430 or email deidre@plaasmedia.co.za.
