Herby oversees the conservation aspect of the operation and cultivates tomatoes as a paying hobby, while his sons run the farm.
20years ago This father-and-son team integrated a remarkably diverse farming concern with an active conservation programme.
Herby Uhlmann and his sons, Vic and Rupert, farm to maintain what they have built up and to provide for the future. They therefore place strong emphasis on conservation and the full utilisation of their farm, Hopewell, in Dalton.
In order to use the farm to its full potential, they have diversified, with sugar cane being the main source of income. The original farm of 700ha, bought in 1969, was planted mainly to timber. Today, the farm is 11 000ha, with 120ha under timber, 85ha under pastures, 15ha under maize, 10ha under dry beans, 1ha of tomatoes and the remainder under sugar cane.
These Dalton farmers are noted conservationists, and their farm is a testimony to their sterling efforts. In 1989, Herby won the Themeda Award and, prior to this, the Ian Sclater Memorial Trophy, for soil and water conservation and land utilisation.
Although this father-and-son team are constantly eradicating noxious weeds using chemicals, they are also striving to improve indigenous bird and plant life on the farm.
COMMERCIAL HERDS
Vic is in charge of the cattle. Their Deep Valley Sussex Stud consists of 45 breeding cows. It was started in 1991 with 10 breeding cows, with the aim of breeding bulls for their own use in the commercial herd.
The commercial herd, consisting of Brahman, Hereford, Sussex and Simmentaler crosses, comprises 125 breeding cows.
Denne historien er fra December 14, 2018-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
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Denne historien er fra December 14, 2018-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Syngenta Seedcare celebrates a decade of innovation
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Agri workers shine at Western Cape awards
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Small and large farmers recognised at grain awards
The annual Grain SA/Syngenta awards ceremony bears testimony to the quality of farmers in the grain industry.
Growing partnerships: Fedgroup's flexible and innovative approach
Janine Ryan spoke to Warren Winchester, general manager of impact investing at Fedgroup, about why the company became involved in agriculture, and what it offers farmers and their immediate communities.
Why fish farms fail, and how to avoid becoming a statistic
The popularity of launching fish farms is not matched by their success. Leslie Ter Morshuizen, owner of Aquaculture Solutions, explores the factors that cause most of these businesses to go under.
Where history and modernity meet in a luxurious setting
Brian Berkman kept his eyes peeled for ghosts in the oldest continuously run hotel in South Africa, but all he found was a fabulous two-night stay.
THE HITCHING POST
I'm a stylish elderly lady with a radiant glow and a good sense of humour that keeps me young at heart.
Cutworms: check the weeds on your fields!
Zunel van Eeden explains why understanding the ecological interplay between cutworms and weeds is crucial for effective pest management. Producers should disrupt the life cycle of cutworms to minimise crop damage.
Does high-density grazing mimic grazing patterns of game?
In their paper on high-density grazing in Southern Africa, professors Angelinus Franke and Elmarie Kotzé from the Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences at the University of the Free State say high-density grazing systems may not accurately reflect natural ecosystems. Roelof Bezuidenhout reports.
Global grain outlook: 2024/25 marketing season
In its latest summer crops report, the Crop Estimates Committee says South African farmers intend to plant 4,47 million hectares of summer grains and oilseeds in the 2024/25 season, up 1% from the previous season. As South Africa exports maize and soya bean, Annelie Coleman reports on the latest trends in the international grain and oilseed markets, amid fluctuations in weather conditions and ongoing armed conflicts.
