Young Egg Producer Plays In The Big Leagues

It is plain to see why last year’s Western Cape Young Farmer of the Year, Johan van der Schyff, was named the 2019 Toyota Agri SA National Young Farmer of the Year. His farming operations set him apart from the other finalists in the competition, who were all top farmers in their respective provinces.

- Carin Venter

The importance of teamwork

Johan regards teamwork as one of the key aspects making Dagbreek Eiers, his egg farming enterprise near Plettenberg Bay and Humansdorp, a success. This enterprise also includes an egg distribution depot in Kraaifontein near Cape Town. Effective communication is another essential component of operations at Johan’s enterprise near Willowmore, where he runs an Angora goat stud and Merino sheep farming venture in partnership with Johan du Plessis.

Johan believes that each person in his team is given a talent or qualification with which to excel. “A good team consists of people who pool their efforts and unique talents, making it a formidable group of individuals working together well,” he said to his employees upon his return from the awards ceremony. He regards being crowned as Toyota Agri SA National Young Farmer of the Year, an incredible experience and honour.

Looking to the future

The thought of being able to spend his days farming, makes it easy for Johan to get up every morning, and he is excited about what lies ahead. “In terms of what I would like to accomplish in future, I wouldn’t necessarily want to become a bigger producer, but I would like to farm more effectively and smarter, and employ more of the technology at hand,” he says.

His mission is to become the preferred egg supplier in the Eastern and Western Cape, always delivering quality products and being known for outstanding client service.