Peace and tranquillity off the grid on a spectacular farm in the Swartland
Farmer's Weekly|December 08, 2023
Dassenheuwel Farm Stay has the orginal farm homestead for families with all the creature comforts, or the cottages for couples. The choice is yours
Riaan Hattingh.
Peace and tranquillity off the grid on a spectacular farm in the Swartland

Only 85km from Cape Town is Dassenheuwel Farm Stay & Cottages, between the towns of Malmesbury (to the west) Riebeek-Kasteel (to the north), and Hermon (to the east).

A fourth generation of the Lesch family lives on the farm, Dassenheuwel.

Owners Kobus and Lida make a formidable team and ensure all is running like clockwork on this working farm. Kobus, assisted by his son Pieter, manages the farming activities, and Lida, a pharmacist, takes care of the Farm Stay & Cottages.

FARMING ACTIVITIES

Dassenheuwel produces wheat and canola commercially, while it grows lupine and oats on a crop-rotation basis to use as fodder. Livestock includes a herd of Sussex cattle, and a flock of Dohne Merino sheep, a multipurpose breed. Drifts of feral pigs and troops of baboons are the major destroyers of crops, and caracal is responsible for killing lambs. Kobus tells us that the natural fauna in this area is Renosterveld, and the mountains in the region, with the local, natural habitat, are home to more than 120 bird species on the farm.

SMALL GAME

The blue crane (bloukraanvoël) makes a regular appearance, as do the Verreaux’s eagle (witkruisarend). Guests may be fortunate to see small antelope, such as steenbok and duiker on the farm.

ACCOMMODATION

Lida tells Farmer’s Weekly that the most important reason people book into Dassenheuwel is for the peace, tranquillity and fresh air it offers.

この記事は Farmer's Weekly の December 08, 2023 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

この記事は Farmer's Weekly の December 08, 2023 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

FARMER'S WEEKLYのその他の記事すべて表示
New farmers' seedling pitfalls
Farmer's Weekly

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

time-read
2 分  |
Farmer's Weekly 27 December 2024
South African avocado production: a success story
Farmer's Weekly

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.

time-read
6 分  |
Farmer's Weekly 27 December 2024
Unlocking value through livestock exports
Farmer's Weekly

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.

time-read
7 分  |
Farmer's Weekly 27 December 2024
An agribusiness's dedication to community upliftment
Farmer's Weekly

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.

time-read
5 分  |
Farmer's Weekly 27 December 2024
Empowering dreams, transforming lives
Farmer's Weekly

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.

time-read
7 分  |
Farmer's Weekly 27 December 2024
Foreign investment: agriculture maintains its appeal
Farmer's Weekly

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

time-read
5 分  |
Farmer's Weekly 27 December 2024
The real value and message of COP29 for SA agriculture
Farmer's Weekly

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

time-read
3 分  |
Farmer's Weekly 27 December 2024
Improving efficiencies in feed and grain milling
Farmer's Weekly

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.

time-read
2 分  |
Farmer's Weekly 27 December 2024
Tips for better olive production
Farmer's Weekly

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.

time-read
3 分  |
Farmer's Weekly 27 December 2024
More effort needed to protect vulnerable cheetah
Farmer's Weekly

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.

time-read
1 min  |
Farmer's Weekly 27 December 2024