They run a dairy, beef cattle and egg production operation. They also cultivate their own maize on the 463ha farm.
Pienaar’s father, Jan, bought Java in 1989, and father and son managed the farm together until Jan passed away in 2013. “It was my father-in-law who taught us most of what we know about farming,” says Mavis, who joined the business in 1996 when she married Pienaar. “When he passed away it was not only a big shock, but also a tremendous loss.”
The couple inherited Jan’s debt – a sizeable R240 000 – which had to be paid immediately. Although losing the farm was a real possibility, they decided to do everything in their power to prevent that from happening. The Mtlokwas sold all the livestock, except for twelve dairy cows, which Pienaar kept milking. They leased Java for three years and settled the debt.
Mavis also went back to teaching at a local school. They were able to survive on her teacher’s salary while they gradually rebuilt their dairy herd.
Building strong partnerships
“In 2016 we were able to start farming full time again. Milk SA had been supporting us since 2014 and played a significant role. For instance, they facilitated the hand-over often dairy cows, which made it possible for me to return to farming full time. They also empowered us through training courses,” says Mavis.
“I also attended farmers’ days and training courses hosted by Sernick. This resulted in a deal with Sernick in 2019. The company placed 35 cows and their calves, along with a bull, with us. The agreement was that we must supply them with 14 weaner calves each year. We now have 19 heifers that will be mated next year, and we will hopefully be able to match this year’s 100% conception rate.”
Bu hikaye Stockfarm dergisinin November 2020 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Bu hikaye Stockfarm dergisinin November 2020 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Shongololo Boer Goat Stud: Only The Best Will Do
South African Boer goats have proven popular worldwide for their ability to improve indigenous goat breeds. In addition, Covid-19 restrictions necessitated the establishment of electronic auctions, making it easier for foreigners to acquire outstanding genetic material exported by agents via established channels.
Feed Additives: A Veterinary Perspective
In an already volatile environment, dairy profit margins vary as milk prices and feed costs shift annually. Feed costs represent the largest input cost (an estimated 35 to 70% of the variable cost) in the production of milk. As a group of feed ingredients, feed additives can cause a desired physiological response in a non-nutrient way, such as pH shift, growth or metabolic modifier, and will usually be cost-beneficial.
Guard Against Lumpy Skin Disease
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Climate-Related Hazards: How Smallholders Can Mitigate Its Consequences
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Tips for a successful AI programme
The success of an artificial insemination (AI) programme depends on several factors that are largely within the control of the producer. It is interesting that those producers who take a hands-on approach to their cattle and inspect them regularly are also the ones who achieve the greatest success. Before his passing, Stockfarm spoke to Koot Louw, a well-known reproduction technologist from Brandfort in the Free State, about his insights into and advice regarding the AI process.
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Some of our readers may have treated or heard of sheep or goats that have been infected with orf (vuilbek).
Sanele Mbele: Where Passion And Skill Meet
Passion for farming runs strong in the Mbele family’s veins. Sanele Mbele, from the farm Rietspruit in the De Jagersdrift area near Dundee, has inherited this passion in huge dollops.
Land Reform: Case Studies In Kwazulu-Natal
Land reform in South Africa is complex. Land reform solutions are equally complex and within partnership and development models, this is no different – but there is hope. KwaZulu-Natal has several types of partnership models and the wide variation in farming systems, as well as their different needs, set each model up for different strengths and weaknesses.
Brahman Breeders In Limpopo Have A Winning Plan
Several breeders from the Bosveld Brahman Club in Limpopo are applying genetic excellence and genotypic correctness to stimulate the demand for their bulls. At several of the last auctions, the minimum standard of bulls was raised to achieve this goal.
A Brahman Dream Comes True
For as long as he can remember, JP Mlangeni wanted to be a farmer. It might have taken a few years, from being a teacher and later a businessman, but his dream finally took shape and today he runs a fully-fledged breeding and commercial Brahman farming enterprise in Mpumalanga.
