FAST FACTS
André Hamman needed a cattle breed that could adapt rapidly to the mountainous terrain near Kareedouw in the Eastern Cape, which is why he chose Ngunis.
He bought many of the animals that formed part of his foundation herd from a farmer in Mpumalanga, and learnt the hard way that they did not have natural immunity to a deadly local strain of Asiatic redwater.
Hamman also farms Dohne Merino sheep and rents out cottages on the farm to diversify the operation’s revenue stream.
Kareedouw is a small town in the Eastern Cape, 150km from Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) and nestled between the Tsitsikamma and Suuranys Mountains. It is here that André Hamman, recently retired from a career in the medical field in Pretoria, stumbled across a new and unexpected adventure.
“My wife Maritha and I relocated to Nature’s Valley [in the Southern Cape] in the early 2000s, settling into a relaxed life of gardening and playing golf. One weekend we went to visit friends near Kareedouw, and came across a very neglected farm that was for sale,” Hamman recalls.
He thought it would be a good idea to have a small weekend getaway place. “The farm was completely derelict with uninhabitable houses, and some of the river courses were overgrown with alien vegetation. In some cases, it was so bad you couldn’t see or reach the water.”
However, the farm had good water sources and high potential, so the Hammans bought it in 2006.
A CHALLENGING START
Denne historien er fra June 25, 2021-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
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Denne historien er fra June 25, 2021-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.
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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
South African avocado production: a success story
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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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
