Top pig farmer takes full advantage of tech

New technologies, big data and top-of-the-range genetics are becoming increasingly important aspects of profitable pig farming. However, these advancements don't come cheap, placing them out of reach of many small-scale producers. Pig farmer CP Kriek spoke to Lindi Botha about tech solutions suited to Africa.

- Lindi Botha

Having qualifications in industrial engineering has proved to be a distinct advantage to CP Kriek and his wife Gerda, owners of Taaibosch Piggery in Fochville, Gauteng. Given the key role of technology in agriculture today, theirs are amongst the skills that can take a farming operation to new heights.

While the Krieks both come from farming backgrounds, they approached Taaibosch Piggery as a new venture, and this has certainly been effective; they’ve been able to look at the business with fresh eyes, rather than simply accepting the way things have always been done.

When the Krieks purchased the farm in 2012, production proved a challenge, so it became vital to manage input costs and improve traceability.

They also set about improving the genetics of their animals by introducing the genes of top-performing stud pigs from around the world. This enabled them to quickly increase their herd’s productivity. Today, the farm markets a minimum of 1 000 baconers each week from its 2 300-sow breeding and nursery unit, weaning units, and growing and finishing unit. It also operates its own genetics unit of 300 purebred sows.

Kriek is convinced that none of this would have been possible without the use of state-of-the-art technology, which in this case is accessible to all his workers.

“To run an operation of this size successfully requires integrated systems, and Cloudfarms plays a significant role in that regard,” he explains.

FAST FACTS
CP Kriek uses the latest digital technology to improve production at his piggery.

He believes that tech solutions should be accessible to smallscale farmers.