RiHugo farm near Mkhondo (Piet Retief) in Mpumalanga is no stranger to awards. This year, Rian Maree was awarded the Mpumalanga Agriculture Young Farmer of the Year title and will compete at this month’s national Agri SA/Toyota SA Young Farmer of the Year competition.
Maree started farming full-time in partnership with his father, Hugo, in 2008, after completing a degree in agricultural management at the University of the Free State.
Within a few years, he began to achieve exceptional show results with the family’s Brahman stud. At the World Brahman Congress, held in South Africa in 2014, his Brahman bull HHM 10 24 won the Supreme Champion award for the best animal at the show.
From there, HHM 14 22 was bred and went on to qualify for the World Brahman Competition, beating competitors within the Africa, Asia, and Europe division. The bull then finished second in the North and South America division.
Breeding award-winning Braham stud cattle has its challenges, Maree admits.
“It’s a competitive environment, and everyone’s striving for high quality. You need to ensure that your cattle are better than your neighbors’ to keep your business running and have repeat customers,” he says.
Attending cattle shows is part of the business’s marketing strategy, and has delivered good results.
“You have to advertise your best animals and build a client base, and shows give us this opportunity. Doing well at the show means we get noticed, and get new clients. It’s a lot of work and a huge expense, but it’s worth it.”
STUD PRODUCTION
Esta historia es de la edición November 01, 2019 de Farmer's Weekly.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición November 01, 2019 de Farmer's Weekly.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
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.
