Using the drought to up your game
Farmer's Weekly|November 12, 2021
The Northern Cape’s Williston district is sheep country through and through, but six years of drought have made extensive sheep farming here desperately difficult. Wouter kriel spoke to producer Hannes esterhuyse about how he has adapted his operation to run optimally despite the drought.
Hannes Esterhuyse
Using the drought to up your game

Hannes Esterhuyse, who runs sheep on the farm Volstruisfontein near Williston in the Northern Cape, says that in order to survive a prolonged drought, simply coping with it is not enough. “We accepted the drought for what it was and realised we had to work with this new reality. So instead of just waiting for it to break, we decided to be proactive and constantly search for ways to adapt and improve our farming practices.’’

Esterhuyse farms on 22 000ha, part of which he owns and the rest of which he leases. Since 2015, the Williston area in the Karoo has been struggling with prolonged drought, making traditional extensive sheep farming extremely challenging.

“The area has an annual average rainfall of 160mm, most of which ocurs from November to May. In 2015, only 78mm were recorded. Isolated showers brought us luck in 2016 with 188mm, but in 2017 we recorded only 44mm. In 2018, we saw 96mm, in 2019 a total of 61mm, and in 2020 only 139mm.”

To manage this situation, Esterhuyse is applying a three-pronged strategy: better livestock management with the help of technology; diversification; and a commitment to using water as efficiently as possible.

LIVESTOCK MANAGEMENT

According to Esterhuyse, the terrain of the area is ideal for Dorper sheep. “I love working and interacting with my animals, and the Dorper’s temperament suits me in this regard.”

He had to come to terms with the fact that the drought had reduced carrying capacity.

“We now keep fewer animals, and this means that every ewe and every lamb is important.”

The area is rugged, and tracking and managing the animals is difficult and sometimes not possible under extensive management.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der November 12, 2021-Ausgabe von Farmer's Weekly.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der November 12, 2021-Ausgabe von Farmer's Weekly.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS FARMER'S WEEKLYAlle anzeigen
Uncertainty over Trump's stance on AGOA
Farmer's Weekly

Uncertainty over Trump's stance on AGOA

It is of vital importance that that the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) be upheld following the recent US presidential election, in which Donald Trump emerged as the winner.

time-read
1 min  |
November 29, 2024
Plum pollen study reveals varietal differences in pollination effectiveness
Farmer's Weekly

Plum pollen study reveals varietal differences in pollination effectiveness

A new study undertaken near George, Western Cape, explored pollination in plum varieties, showing key differences in pollen quality. Octavia Avesca Spandiel reports on the research findings.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 29, 2024
Study: small cuts to beef production could eliminate years of emissions
Farmer's Weekly

Study: small cuts to beef production could eliminate years of emissions

In a paper published in early November, scientists reveal that pasturelands, in particular those that were once forests, hold great potential for mitigating the effects of climate change.

time-read
1 min  |
November 29, 2024
Harnessing wind for cleaner energy
Farmer's Weekly

Harnessing wind for cleaner energy

At the Windaba Conference and Exhibition, held in October in Cape Town, Western Cape, Niveshen Govender, CEO of the South African Wind Energy Association, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the state of wind energy in the country and the opportunities that farmers can exploit.

time-read
5 Minuten  |
November 29, 2024
The Cape Grace: a Cape Town icon is reborn, and her new custodians shine
Farmer's Weekly

The Cape Grace: a Cape Town icon is reborn, and her new custodians shine

Brian Berkman has had the exceedingly good fortune of spending many nights at the Cape Grace Hotel over the years. He revisits it to find it as impressive as ever.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
November 29, 2024
Cutting-edge tech aiding the agri sector
Farmer's Weekly

Cutting-edge tech aiding the agri sector

Toyota Material Handling's innovations conserve resources and reduce the environmental footprint of farming operations.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 29, 2024
Use the correct growing medium for safe seedling production
Farmer's Weekly

Use the correct growing medium for safe seedling production

Instead of buying expensive growing mediums for seedlings, farmers can make their own mixtures from local resources, such as manure, which are economical and produce excellent results

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 29, 2024
Optimising cherry production and quality
Farmer's Weekly

Optimising cherry production and quality

Growing cherries in a suboptimal climate requires manipulating trees and temperatures. But with a considerable market advantage, it is worth the effort. Lindi Botha visited ZZ2's Toscana farm, which for four weeks of the year takes prime position in the cherry market.

time-read
8 Minuten  |
November 29, 2024
Biosecurity & nutrition: the foundation of pig farming success
Farmer's Weekly

Biosecurity & nutrition: the foundation of pig farming success

JD Mostert, a consulting swine nutritionist at CS Vet, and Dr Stefan Steyn, a veterinarian at Afrivet, shared their expertise with Sinenhlanhla Mncwango, delving into why biosecurity and nutrition are critical pillars in establishing and maintaining a productive pig farm geared for long-term success.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
November 29, 2024
The business of pig farming: practical steps for success
Farmer's Weekly

The business of pig farming: practical steps for success

Running a pork farm requires knowledge and expertise. Mosele Lepheane, director of a small piggery in the Free State, spoke to Sinenhlanhla Mncwango about the structured approach needed to succeed, from drafting a business plan and managing cash flow to sourcing equipment and expanding market access.

time-read
5 Minuten  |
November 29, 2024