Small Stud On Urban Fringe Takes On The Country's Best

The size of an operation counts less than dedication, persistence, insight and quality genetics. Operating on a modestly-sized parcel of land minutes from suburban Pretoria, the performance of Hans Franck’s Macarara Simmentaler Stud is proof of this.

- Chris Nel

A livestock farmer need not be a millionaire to be successful. In fact, starting small but with the correct attitude, aptitude, resourcefulness and hard work, he/she can achieve a great deal. Hans Franck is such a farmer.

Despite the urban sprawl slowly invading from Pretoria in the west, his Macarara Simmentaler Stud succeeded in breeding the bull Gamsa LH 12 80, which represented his breed at the national special performance test class for Phase C-tested bulls at the Agricultural Research Council’s (ARC) National Beef Performers Awards in 2014.

EARLY INSPIRATION

Franck’s family lived in Mozambique in the 1970s when he was a child. As little German was spoken or taught at schools in that country, he was sent as a boarder to the Deutsche Schule (German School), east of Pretoria. During this period, a weekend visit to the Olschweski family, a well-known Simmentaler breeder, on the farm Meerhof, sparked Franck’s burning, lifelong interest in farming and a passion for Simmentaler cattle. When he said goodbye to his hosts before returning to school, he promised Gert Olschweski he would one day also farm Simmentalers.

As the eldest of six children and a fugitive in South Africa from the war in Mozambique, he had to care for his mother and his 66-year old father, who could not find work in this country. With little cash to spare, he worked at the Rembrandt factory while establishing the Macarara Simmentaler Stud, initially as a sideline, in 1984 when he was only 21 years old.