Linden Hewson owns the 2017 Farmer’s Weekly/ARC National Best Elite Sussex cow. This achievement is significant, as the Grey Maclean Stud near East London has been kraaled every night since 2002 to keep the animals safe. Mike Burgess reports.
Sussex stud breeder and qualified chartered accountant Linden Hewson admits that when 10 pregnant stud cows were slaughtered by stock thieves in the space of three months in 2002, he considered emigrating. He was deterred, however, by his long-held love of farming beef cattle, and his determination to continue improving his stud on his 130ha family farm of Grey Maclean, near East London. Linden’s beef initiative has its roots in a few crossbred heifers he received from his father, Mellie, while still in pre-primary school. It triggered a lifelong passion that is today exemplified by a stud which produced one of the country’s finest Sussex cows (LJ 06 0209), with an ICP of 359 days over 10 calves.
This achievement is all the more remarkable considering that Linden has to spend great effort and cost to protect his stud animals, including 80 breeding females, from stock thieves.
A LOVE FOR CATTLE
During Linden’s high school years, he and his father began speculating with cattle, carefully selecting heifers and cows for a small crossbred herd. By the time Linden left school in 1981 to begin studying through Unisa, the father-son team was running a sizeable herd on Grey Maclean and nearby leased land. Then in the early 1980s, Linden convinced his father to keep some Hereford heifers – purchased near Port Alfred – and put these to an Afrikaner bull. This produced good results.
Later, Shorthorn and crossbred Shorthorn heifers were added and the herd was closed to produce its own replacement heifers.
In the late 1980s, they introduced a Sussex bull to the herd, producing outstanding two-thirds Sussex and one-third Afrikaner weaners weighing as much as 320kg at eight months.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Review: the Toyota Hilux 2.8GD-6 DC 4×4 GR-Sport III
The third iteration of the Hilux GR-Sport has finally achieved a sense of presence and style befitting its raceinspired branding. But is this the ultimate modern Hilux? Car Magazine takes a closer look.
Why maize prices soar in Kenya and Malawi but not Tanzania
Namhla Landani, an economist at the Centre for Competition, Regulation and Economic Development, University of Johannesburg, and Arthur Khomotso Mahuma, economist and researcher at the Centre for Competition, Regulation and Economic Development, University of Johannesburg, analyse the issue.
Wet carcass syndrome: a scourge in SA sheep farming
Wet carcass syndrome continues to take a huge financial toll on South African sheep farmers. Octavia Avesca Spandiel spoke to two experts about the ongoing genetic research aimed at addressing this issue.
Pollination innovation
Bee-Tech Group is transforming South African agriculture with pollination technologies that boost crop yields and enhance sustainability. Founder Michiel Bruggeman spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel.
The valuable addition that makes this farm tick
Owning the value chain provides farmers with far more control over their produce. However, it requires a fine balance between production and ensuring there is a strong and steady market. Lindi Botha visited Rosemary Hill to find out how this essential oil producer leverages hospitality to make the farm viable.
The benefits of recirculating aquaculture systems
A powerful set of attributes has established recirculating aquaculture systems as a cornerstone of global temperate fish farming, writes Leslie Ter Morshuizen, owner of Aquaculture Solutions.
Minister has big plans for emerging and commercial farmers
DA leader and Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen spoke to Glenneis Kriel about his priorities for his department over the next five years, including an increased focus on biosecurity.
New study aims to make wheat more disease resistant
A recent international study explains how bread wheat has helped to transform the ancient world on its path to becoming the iconic crop that today helps sustain a global population of eight billion.
Conservation farming and biodiversity boost soil health and sustainability
A recent academic event focused on research into the links between soil biodiversity, soil health and sustainable agriculture
What has led to the unparalleled rice shortage in Japan?
Japan is facing a rice shortage amid concerns about a potential 'megaquake', several typhoons and an annual week-long holiday, which has led to an increase in panic buying.