Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Farmers were inspired, equipped, and awarded for continuous excellence during a SA Stud Book Trailblazer event held on Thursday, the second day of NAMPO Cape, at the Santam Auditorium in Bredasdorp.
Business perspective
At a time when the beef industry is grappling with foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), Johan Stumpf, CEO of BKB, inspired producers not to jump out of the boat hastily. “I’ve worked in several agricultural sectors, and each one has this idea that their struggles are unique. And yes, each one indeed is unique. However, I’ve learned that there is one thing that every successful farmer across industries has in common: They don’t jump between agricultural sectors.”
He reminded the people about the volatile nature of the agricultural sector and the numerous variables that are outside the control of farmers. However, sticking to one’s core business is the key to long-term success. “Every extremely successful farmer has been the same, even if they’ve never met.” There were several times when they were on the verge of bankruptcy, but they kept on going.
However, Stumpf said while producers need to stick to their core business, they also need to keep up with the times. This was a lesson that BKB has learned in recent years, and the reason why they have consolidated the business with great financial success. Incorporating new technology, such as artificial intelligence (AI) or the company’s Decision Support Services (DSS) system, could be of great benefit, he said.
Industry focus
While the long-term goals were to sort out FMD and increase meat exports to 4%, these goals can only be achieved in incremental gains, Dr Phillip Oosthuizen, of the red meat industry services (RMIS), said during the event. Although the agricultural industry is very good at talking together, it isn’t very good at standing together. This is something that needs to change if the industry is to truly move forward.
Dr Oosthuizen said the fact that the RMIS – a body representing all links within the red meat primary production chain – has been formed is a tiny win, because the industry is able to think outside their individual silo’s and stand together. However, a bigger challenge lies ahead: getting traceability systems in place. He encouraged primary producers to register their farms on the RMIS’ platform, which uses geo-fencing and Global Location Numbers (GLNs). He added that the RMIS’s goal is to advance to a stage where producers’ record-keeping systems could be automatically used as a traceability system.
Future of genetics
Jason Reding, a geneticist at SA Stud Book, spoke about the genetic future of beef cattle. While DNA testing has served the industry well in the past, this technology is not as accurate as genomic testing. Therefore, SA Stud Book is encouraging producers to use the latter technology. DNA testing, for example, cannot distinguish between a father and a son, or half-brothers. Therefore, it could become difficult when trying to determine which animal sired a calf. He also spoke about detrimental genetic mutations and the impact of good selection with the right tools.
Award ceremony
During the event, the top beef performers on the LOGIX system in the Western Cape region were also honoured. The winners are:
Bronze
- C.C. Purdon – Angus.
- C.S. Puttergill – Angus.
- Kgotsofala Boerdery – Afrigus
- Eselkop Tulis – commercial.
- Begelly Beefmasters – Beefmaster.
- C.C. van der Merwe en seuns – Bonsmara.
- Botterfontein Estates CC – Bonsmara.
- Gerrit Potgieter-familietrust – Boran.
- J.I.V.Z. Naudé – Drakensberger.
- P.D. Roets – South Devon.
- Don Harvey Trust – Tuli.
- Glen Heath Tuli stud – Tuli.
- Black Mamba Angus stud – Angus.
- Glimpse Bonsmara – Bonsmara.
- MEB Boerdery – Charolaise.
- Twenty 60 Think Future Holdings – Nguni.
- Horingplaas Boerdery (Pty) Ltd. – Sussex.
- Nacht Wacht Sussex-stoet – Sussex.
Silver
- A.H. Vermaak – Angus.
- C. Metelerskamp – Angus.
- O.W. Evans – Angus.
- S.M. King – Angus.
- Beer Properties (Pty) Ltd. – Angus.
- Knott farming (Pty) Ltd. – Angus.
- Andrew Masterson Family Trust – Angus.
- K.P. Miles and son – Angus.
- Eduan Boerdery – Brown Swiss.
- A.C. de Klerk – Beefmaster.
- H.B. du Toit – Bonsmara.
- Tambaraine Pty Ltd – Bonsmara.
- Fetting Livestock Trust – Bonsmara.
- Van Kerken Bonsmara – Bonsmara.
- Karooveld Bonsmaras – Bonsmara.
- The Blackstone Beef Project – Shorthorn.
- Peinke Ranch – Droughtmaster.
- W.A. du Randt – Drakensberger.
- K.P. Miles – Hereford.
- Qhina Ngunis – Nguni.
- Jazer Cattle CC – Nguni.
- Echodale Sussex – Nguni.
- Bonnie Brae Sussex – Sussex.
- A.D. Mullins – Tuli.
- Clark Cattle Company – Tuli.
- Ganzekraal Herefords – Hereford.
- Hoekland Herefords – Hereford.
- C. Stoch – Nguni.
- A.J. Stofberg – Sussex.
- Almaija Boerdery – Sussex.
- Lekkerdroom Tuli Stoet – Tuli.
Gold
- J.D. Stirk – Bonsmara.
- N.P. Thoompson – Bonsmara.
- Swaershoek Bonsmaras – Bonsmara.
- Meyer Bonsmaras – Bonsmara.
- Jordaan Bonsmaras – Bonsmara.
- Tempevale Bonsmaras – Bonsmara.
- Peinke Ranch – Boran.
- Dohne A.D.I. – Nguni.
- J.F. Miller – South Devon.
- S.T.R. Mains-Sheard – Tuli.
- Acacia Mountain Tulis – Tuli.
- D.J. van Breda – Hereford.
- Eksteen Ngunis and Sangas – Nguni.
Double gold
- Kenrussmark CC – Hereford.
- Joyce’s Dairy Farm – Angus.
- P.P. Mong Trust – Hereford.
Platinum
- Disco Bonsmara – Bonsmara.
- Fredericksburg Landgoed – Angus – Susan Marais, Plaas Media
