Conscientious management, and the effective use of technology, enabled the Western Cape’s Young Farmer of the Year for 2017, Johann Nel, to increase his dairy herd by 30%, and more than triple his sheep flock. He was also able to add Boer goats to his operation. All this was achieved within five-and-a-half years, and without buying or renting additional land. By Jeandré du Preez.
It’s hard to believe that Johann Nel, the Western Cape’s Young Farmer of the Year for 2017, began his farming career as a farmworker.
“My father, Christoff Nel, bought Hoëkraal Estate in 2008,” says Johann. “I initially worked as a farmhand, tending the calves. While working my way through the ranks, I gained valuable knowledge.”
When Christoff passed away in 2009, a manager was appointed to run the farm until 2011, when Johann took the reins. Since then, Johann, who is originally from Middelburg in Mpumalanga, has transformed Hoëkraal Estate farm, which is situated just outside Suurbraak, a small settlement near Swellendam in the Overberg. Johann farms Jersey cows, Boer goats and sheep, and also runs a small crop operation.
INCREASED DAIRY PRODUCTION
Dairy is Hoëkraal’s primary operation, and generates 80% of its turnover. Before Johann took over, the operation milked 800 Jersey cows, but this number has since increased to 1 100. The cows are milked twice a day in a 60-point rotary parlour, and produce about 17 000l/day.
“We can milk up to 20 000â„“ a day, but the current drought has reduced production,” says Johann.
About 70% of his dairy herd is run on irrigated pastures, planted to kikuyu grasss oversown with annual ryegrass. A clovergrass mixture is established on higher potential soil.
Farming is all about measuring and conscientious management, says Johann. “We are continuously trying to quantify [dairy] production, because if you don’t measure, you can’t manage it.”
Johann uses Fourth Quadrant, a performance analysis and management software service, to formulate his grazing and contingency plans.
This story is from the 14 July 2017 edition of Farmer's Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the 14 July 2017 edition of Farmer's Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Syngenta Seedcare celebrates a decade of innovation
Syngenta's ambition is to enable their customers' investments to grow in healthy soil from treated seeds to young plants through innovation and collaboration, writes Magda du Toit.
Agri workers shine at Western Cape awards
Lindie-Alet van Staden, a garden and olive orchard manager at L’Ormarins Wine Estate in Franschhoek, was crowned as the Western Cape Prestige Agri-Worker of 2024 at a gala event recently held near Paarl.
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.
