FAST FACTS
Lerato Senakhomo runs a 130-head Nguni herd on 453ha of leased land in Nigel, Gauteng.
She is a participant in the Industrial Development Corporation’s Nguni Cattle Development Project.
Senakhomo also plants around 100ha to maize, and is a proud member of Grain SA's 250t Maize Producers' Club.
If her parents had not decided in 2006 to buy a piece of land near Nigel in Gauteng on which to farm, Lerato Senakhomo might never have ended up being a farmer herself.
She had always been interested in looking after animals and wanted to become a veterinarian. That changed when she was given the opportunity to farm alongside her parents Joseph and Bridget.
The Senakhomos started out with goats, sheep and cattle. At first, the farm’s cash flow was supplemented by Joseph’s salary, but when he was retrenched in 2009, the farm became the family’s only source of income.
To ensure the financial viability of the operation, the family started looking for a bigger piece of land. After several years of trying to obtain access to more land through one of government’s land reform and agricultural transformation programmes, they ended up selling their plot and renting another, larger property near Nigel.
In 2012, on the advice of her parents, Senakhomo studied agriculture, completing courses in poultry, livestock, project management and hydroponics at Buhle Academy in Delmas, Mpumalanga. She also attended short courses with the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) and Grain SA.
TAKING THE REINS
Denne historien er fra February 19, 2021-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
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Denne historien er fra February 19, 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.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
ARC names best dairy producers of the year
The Agricultural Research Council (ARC) recently announced the winners of the 2024 National Master Dairyman Awards at an event hosted by AgriExpo in Stellenbosch, Western Cape.
Lion breeders to give up bone stockpiles?
The Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment issued an official notice in mid-November in which it called on lion breeders to voluntarily hand over their lion bone stockpiles to the state as soon as possible.
Thousands of British farmers march on parliament against inheritance tax
Thousands of UK farmers gathered in London, England, on 19 November to demand the government repeal a proposed inheritance tax on agricultural land, which they argued threatened the future of family-run farms (see page 4), Al Jazeera reported.
Avocado frittata with sundried tomatoes, feta and olives
This wholesome, vibrant frittata is perfect for brunch or a light supper. Recipe and photo: The South African Avocado Growers' Association.
Feed, hay, and other costs are up, so it's time to get creative
Breeders and riding schools need to explore innovative ways to generate income in order to ensure their survival, says Dr Mac.
How to make polystyrene seedling trays last longer
While thinking about how to prolong the lifespan of polystyrene seedling trays that are exposed to harsh sunlight, Bill Kerr began to wonder if a coat of paint might offer a solution.
Living the 'culture' in agriculture
Creation Wines has won numerous awards, was ranked fourth in the World’s Best Vineyards in 2023, and more recently won the V d’Or award for the Best Brand Experience. The owners, Carolyn and Jean-Claude Martin, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about how their winery became a top tourism destination.
Time to take a deep breath on the slopes of the Magaliesberg
Around 100km from both Johannesburg and Pretoria in Gauteng and a tad over 40km from Rustenburg in North West, Farmer’s Weekly found a fine retreat on a working farm where couples may kindle their romance.
African penguins could be extinct by 2035 how to save them
Protecting the critically endangered African penguin is good for the environment, other animal species, and the economy, say Lorien Pichegru and Dr Alistair McInnes of Nelson Mandela University, Katrin Ludynia of the University of Cape Town, and Peter Barham of the University of Bristol in the UK.
An urgent need to confront Nassella in SA
South American grass species from the genus Nassella were unwittingly introduced to South Africa over 120 years ago and continue to invade montane veld. As Mike Burgess writes, research-based action is required.
