When Farmer's Weekly interviewed JK Basson in 2013 after he won the Agricultural Research Council's V (ARC) Master Dairyman Award for the first time, Basson advised others against starting a dairy farm because of the high costs and barriers to entry. He said the situation was particularly difficult in a total mixed ration (TMR) system, as was the case with all dairy farms in the Swartland, where he runs his operation.
Things haven't changed much since then, with the past year's spike in fuel and fertiliser prices placing further pressure on margins that are already under great strain.
To contain feed costs, Basson buys feed ingredients in bulk from Nova Feeds and uses them to develop his preformulated feed recipes. He also produces silage on a large scale, planting roughly 700ha to oats, triticale, and feed barley in rotation with 200ha of wheat and 200ha of canola each year. “But rising fertiliser and fuel costs will make it difficult to plant profitably this year, he says. And as if that isn't enough, Basson has to deal with the impact of power outages on production.
“Dairy production is highly energy-intensive as cows need to be milked when they need to be milked. We have invested in a 150kW solar panel system to reduce our energy costs, but it is tied to the grid, so we are still dependent on generators, which use roughly 50l of diesel per hour when there is load-shedding.
So what does Basson do to keep afloat? He consults experts and uses the latest technology to make the most of his genetics and improve production efficiencies.
FAST FACTS
The Cow Manager system is used to monitor cow health and fertility.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة May 20, 2022 من Farmer's Weekly.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة May 20, 2022 من Farmer's Weekly.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
New farmers' seedling pitfalls
Inexperienced farmers may be tempted to grow seedlings from seed themselves, but they have much to gain by trusting a seedling grower at a nursery to perform this task for them instead
South African avocado production: a success story
Avocado production in South Africa has expanded markedly since the industry's humble beginnings over 80 years ago. From a small grove planted in 1938 in what was then Nelspruit, the industry has blossomed to seven million trees planted on 20 000ha. Dr Guy Witney, project manager at Great Brak Avos, spoke to Annelie Coleman about the country's avocado production.
Unlocking value through livestock exports
Exporting livestock might sound like a daunting business that's better left for big companies, but Gerrie Ferreira, who farms near Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape, has been doing it successfully for almost 30 years, sometimes in partnership with other breeders. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the huge potential this market holds, and offers some advice for farmers who are contemplating going this route.
An agribusiness's dedication to community upliftment
For agribusiness NWK, located in Lichtenburg, North West, corporate social investment is an important part of creating a positive influence alongside financial returns. Johan Bezuidenhout, NWK’s group manager of corporate marketing and communication, spoke to Annelie Coleman about why the company chooses to invest millions of rands in the area it operates in every year.
Empowering dreams, transforming lives
Since its launch in 2013, the Agri's Got Talent competition has revolutionised the lives of many farmworkers by unlocking their hidden talents and fostering a culture of empowerment. Glenneis Kriel spoke to various finalists about how the contest has changed their lives.
Foreign investment: agriculture maintains its appeal
South Africa remains a popular destination for foreign investors, despite an often negative outlook from its citizens. It is a gateway to Africa, and with its counterseasonal production to the Northern Hemisphere and favourable weather, local agriculture is especially well placed to attract foreign interest, bringing with it hope for rural communities
The real value and message of COP29 for SA agriculture
While the 2024 Conference of the Parties may have disappointed those who hoped for real progress, it's more important for South African agriculture to highlight its role in carbon mitigation
Improving efficiencies in feed and grain milling
Bühler, a Swiss-based company that provides solutions and equipment for various industries, including food and animal feed processing, has pledged that by 2025, it will deliver scalable solutions that will reduce energy, waste and water by 50% in the value chains of its customers.
Tips for better olive production
At an SA Olive Association field day in November, industry experts shared ways to improve olive production efficiencies, from soil preparation to harvesting.
More effort needed to protect vulnerable cheetah
On International Cheetah Day, commemorated every year on 4 December, emphasis was placed on the vulnerability of the species.
